The federal government has issued a called for applications for funding under Round 1 of its Critical Technologies Challenge Program, which is designed to find solutions to nationally significant challenges.

Those challenges are divided into four categories — communications, energy, resources and medical — with successful applicants across Rounds 1 and 2 in line to share up to $36 million in funding.

Under Stage 1 of Round 1, applicants can seek up to $500,000 in funding for feasibility studies, with successful projects then becoming eligible to apply to receive up to $5 million in demonstrator funding under Stage 2.

Technologies applicable to the Round 1 include quantum-enabled positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), quantum communication and quantum cryptography.

Applicants must be consortia comprising at least one Australian industry-based partner and one Australian research organisation.

A full list of eligibility criteria, resources and information on how to apply, are available on the Challenge Program website.