AQSN Microgrant – FAQ

We thank the Unitary Foundation for their tireless work in building a framework for microgrants in the quantum community. Elements of this FAQ have been taken from the Unitary Foundation with their permission and we have tried to continue the spirit of their effort for the AQSN Micro- and Mesogrant scheme.

Can anyone apply for a microgrant?

Only members of the Australian Quantum Software Network (AQSN) are eligible to apply for grants. Please check out our membership page for details regarding eligibility and how to apply.

What types of projects are appropriate for a microgrant?

AQSN grants are sponsored by organisations and individuals who are interested in certain questions and projects in the fields of quantum algorithms, software and theory research. Each microgrant announcement will specify the funding sponsor and if there are any specific areas of research that the microgrant covers. Please check out our projects pages for the individual microgrant calls. This may, every now and again, include fully open calls, where projects can cover anything that the applicant believes is of use or interest to the quantum algorithms, software and theory community.

What is the project duration?

Microgrant funding is targeted for projects between 6 and 12 months.

How much is each microgrant?

Microgrants can be applied for up to $7,500 AUD.
Mesogrants can be applied for between $30,000-$40,000AUD

Will I get the maximum I apply for?

While we will endeavour to ensure projects are fully funded according to the submitted budget, the Australian Quantum Software Network reserves the right to specify the final amount of funding.

Does a microgrant include “overheads”?

Australian Quantum Software Network microgrants are issued as unrestricted gifts to individuals or institutions. There is no included overheads. Budgets specified by applicants should include complete expenditure. If applicants institutions mandate overheads, this must be deducted from the grant distributed to the awardee. All overheads mandated by an affiliated organisation must be included in the tentative budget and is not to exceed 10% of the total award amount

How many microgrants are awarded?

Sponsors to the microgrant scheme provide funding to solicit projects of interest. Microgrants will be awarded until this funding is exhausted. The exact number of grants available depend on the total amount provided by the sponsor and the quality of applications. Consequently, we do not specify the total number of grants awarded in a given round.

Does IP become owned by the project sponsor?

No. Project sponsors provide funding for microgrants out of interest to see certain questions or problems within quantum algorithms, software and theory are solved. The project sponsor will make no claim over ownership of the IP arising from the microgrant. However, the project sponsor expects to have access to the results of the project at its completion and to potentially further the develop the results of the project. Therefore, it is a requirement that all projects are open-source or in other way in the public domain. AQSN will not accept applications for microgrants that depend on or generate IP that is not open-sourced.

Does the project sponsor have any ability to direct or influence my project?

This depends on the form of engagement with the sponsor. Sponsors may offer smaller independent microgrants or collaborative mesogrants. In the case of independent grants, recipients will be offered the opportunity to discuss and work with project sponsors to help deliver their project, but project sponsors will not influence or “direct” research to grant awardees. Project sponsors will be invited to participate in the mid-term review and offer suggestions. In the case of collaborative grants, the recipient will enter an academic collaboration with one or more subject matter experts. This will involve the typical activities associated with an active research collaboration including engagement in individual research, regular (online) meetings held to discuss research ideas and progress etc.

Can IP generated by my project be “owned” by my organisation

No. All microgrants are awarded under the condition that there is no IP owned by an individuals organisation or the sponsor. All work product from the microgrant must be made open-source. If an applicant applies for a project that is dependent on IP currently held by their organisation, their final work product must include the ability to utilise, without restriction, any dependent IP that is required for independent replication and/or verification of the output of the project. For example, you may use proprietary tools and techniques to inform your project or deliver your project, but if a third party needs to purchase or licence any IP in order to replicate the work delivered in your microgrant, this is not permitted.

How is my application assessed?

The Australian Quantum Software Network has established a five person research committee. The initial committee is Simon Devitt (UTS), Gavin Brennen (Macquarie), Jingbo Wang (UWA), Jared Cole (RMIT) and Casey Myers (UWA). Each sponsored microgrant will be assessed independently. A three person assessment committee will be formed, consisting of two people from the AQSN research committee and a representative from the microgrant sponsor. After initial assessment, the AQSN may conduct brief interviews with potential grant candidates to discuss details of the potential project.

Can I apply for multiple grants?

Yes, provided they are from different sponsors. Individual applicants cannot apply for more than one microgrant in a given scheme, but they can apply for one microgrant from multiple schemes.

Can I apply as a group or consortium?

Yes, but a group or consortium will need to nominate a specific person to be the lead applicant, who is required to be a member of the AQSN. The Australian Quantum Software Network will treat these applications as a single person application, distributed and awarded to the lead researcher. Details regarding the management of the group or consortia, how funding is distributed between participants and how the project is managed is the responsibility of the lead applicant.

Do I start my project immediately?

No. It is expected that projects will commence within three months of acceptance. If projects already have a scheduled start date, please include this in the application.

How will I be notified if successful?

Successful projects will be notified by the email they supplied in the application. Projects will also be listed on the AQSN website.

What reporting is required?

Microgrant recipients will receive 50% of their allocated funding at the commencement of their project. Half way through the project we ask for an informal meeting to report on the current status of your project and plans for the second half of your research period. The Australian Quantum Software Network reserves the right to cancel the project at this mid-point meeting in the unlikely event that unsatisfactory progress is made. The remaining 50% of the project funds will be distributed immediately after a successful mid-point review. At the completion of the project, we request access to a repository (GitHub or otherwise) that contains the results of the project (code, reports, data sets, theoretical analysis or other work product) for our records and request that this repository is made openly available to the community on a platform that persists over time. We request that recipients upload final work product in a way that is easily digestible to others. A final, single page summary, with links to uploaded work product will be requested by the Australian Quantum Software Network and shared with the project sponsor.

What happens at the mid-point review?

We’ll have a call with you and sponsor where we want to know:
- What have you built so far?
- What are you building next?
- What lessons have you learned so far?
- How can we help with what is coming next?
- This helps us evaluate if the project is on-track to merit the second half of grant funding.

Can I apply for more funding after my grant is completed?

Yes. After the completion of your microgrant, you may wish to apply for another microgrant to continue the work. You are able to apply for subsequent rounds and your application will be assessed as a new submission under a new round. You are able to reference your previous grant in a new application, but the new grant will be assessed on its own merit and how well it aligns with the subjects defined by grant sponsors. Sponsors may choose to engage with recipients further on a case-by-case basis after their project is complete.

Will the be potential for increased funding if my project is successful?

Yes. The AQSN Microgrant and Mesogrant scheme is intended to be a “seed” to more expansive projects. However, the AQSN will not be responsible for increasing the size or scope of your project after your Micro- or Mesogrant. Our ideal scenario is for grant recipients to co-ordinate with sponsors directly on successful projects to expand the scope and funding for their idea.

Acknowledgements.

For any output of an Australian Quantum Software Network grant, such as code releases, academic publications etc… we request that recipients include an acknowledgement of the form “We acknowledge the support of the Australian Quantum Software Network” and an appropriate acknowledgement to the project sponsor.

How is the funding distributed?

As with any funding, there are potential tax implications. All microgrants awarded by the AQSN will be awarded as “unrestricted gifts” to the recipient. Any potential tax obligations are the responsibility of the recipient. We will coordinate with grant awardees with regards to the most appropriate method of distribution. Our preferred option is for awardees to accept the microgrant through their affiliated organisation, such as the university they are currently with. We will work with awardees and their affiliated institution to arrange for disbursement of their award to be accepted as unrestricted gifts and we encourage applicants to consult their organisations as to the specifics of how to accept such awards. If awardees wish to accept their microgrant personally, we recommend that they reference the Australian Tax Office website or consult a qualified professional as to potential tax implication of their microgrant. The Australian Quantum Software Network will not manage any potential tax liabilities for awardees and take no responsibility after the grant is distributed. The Australian Quantum Software Network will not distribute funding to awardees to personal accounts outside of Australia.

Am I required to adhere to my “draft budget” during the project?

While we ask for a tentative budget for your project, the Australian Quantum Software Network will not request a report as to how the microgrant ultimately spent.

I am not based in Australia, can I apply?

Microgrants can be awarded to recipients that are verified members of the Australian Quantum Software Network. To qualify as a member you must be affiliated with either a member or partner organisation and demonstrate that your principle research is focused on work in Quantum Algorithms, Software and Theory. This verification will occur at the time of your application as a member of the network. For any applicants that are not resident in Australia, distribution of funding must occur via your affiliated institution as an unrestricted gift. The Australian Quantum Software Network will not distribute microgrant funding to personal accounts outside of Australia.