April 09, 2026 -- Startups say they have been left in the dark after the federal government quietly delayed applications for the final batch of grants through its $36 million Critical Technologies Challenge Program without explanation.

The three-week setback has left hopeful recipients of up to $5 million in funding uncertain about the future of the program, which has so far delivered $23.6 million in grants to more than two dozen research and industry consortiums.

Launched in 2024, the Critical Technologies Challenge (CTC) Program exists to solve national challenges like optimising energy networks, improving medical imaging and reducing the impact of mining and mineral processing using quantum technologies.