Contracts for Innovation: Cyber scale in critical sectors

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will invest up to £3.5 million to accelerate the growth and commercial readiness of innovative UK cyber security solutions. Individual organisations can apply for up to £300,000 to develop, demonstrate and prepare their solutions for commercial scale through deployment in real operational environments within critical sectors. Funding is subject to the quality and number of applications received.

The success of this competition depends on strong collaboration between cyber security organisations and real end users. This B2Match platform provides a dedicated space for:

• Cyber security organisations to showcase their solutions and identify relevant sector challenges

• Critical sector organisations to connect with innovative suppliers and explore potential use cases

• Both parties to form meaningful partnerships that strengthen project proposals and delivery

Using the platform can help applicants identify suitable partners early and ensure projects are grounded in real operational needs

The competition aims to support high-potential cyber security organisations in scaling their solutions by demonstrating their operation and value in live or representative environments within critical sector organisations.

Solutions must already be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 and show strong potential for commercialisation and growth at scale.

Projects must address challenges in scope within one or more of the following UK critical sectors:

• Chemicals

• Communications

• Emergency Services

• Energy

• Food

• Health

• Space

• Transport

• Water

 Applicants must work closely with potential end users and customers in the critical sectors throughout the project. This includes conducting R&D activity in operational environments to refine the solution, demonstrate impact and progress towards commercial deployment.

 Organisations are encouraged to actively use this B2Match platform to explore opportunities, build partnerships and strengthen their approach to participating in the competition.

Get in touch:

If you have any questions about the scope requirements of this competition, email support@iuk.ukri.org or call 0300 321 4357.

Our phone lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).