UK government launches £350,000 funding competition for security technology innovators

The UK Government has opened a new funding competition offering up to £350,000 for innovative security technologies to address protective security and vehicle screening. The competition is designed to encourage disruptive ideas from industry, including innovative SMEs and non-traditional suppliers.

The announcement says it “seeks disruptive technologies and innovative approaches” that can help address some of the UK’s “most pressing security challenges” across public safety, national security, border security and protective security.

This round of funding seeks to address requirements outlined by the Home Office and to address the challenges identified by the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA). NPSA is the UK’s technical authority for physical and personnel protective security, helping organisations defend against terrorism and state threats.

Home Office Challenge Areas include secure data sharing across policing and government. It focuses on combating online harms and cyber-enabled threats, understanding migration behaviours, disrupting organised immigration crime, improving border and immigration outcomes and more.

Meanwhile, the NPSA Challenge Areas include vehicle screening, crowd screening, hostile reconnaissance detection, and more.

Up to £350,000 available and results expected rapidly

Funded projects are expected to deliver a prototype or technology demonstrator at Technology Readiness Level 6 or 7 and “show a realistic route to operational impact” within two years of the completion of the project.

The projects can run for up to 12 months, with optional testing and trailing able to extend it to 18 months. Successful proposals for the Security Open Call can be funded by up to £350,000.

Proposals are only funded where there is deemed to be alignment with the “competition challenges and strong demand for the idea.”

Reflecting wider defence innovation reforms

The competition also aligns with the Government’s wider drive to make it easier for innovative SMEs and non-traditional suppliers to work with the defence and security sector.

The government notes that it is working to better connect innovative solutions with defence needs and support military commands, and that the public will be updated on the new process in the future.

But for now, it says, “if your idea fits one of the focus areas in the current Security Open Call, please review the competition document and consider applying.”

The first cycle opened on 3 August and closes on 27 August. Find out more about applying here.