The UK has reopened a funding competition for security technologies, seeking proposals that address priorities including cyber resilience, border security, and protective security.
Run by UK Defence Innovation, the Security Open Call invites companies and researchers to develop technologies addressing government security priorities.
The current funding round reflects requirements set by the Home Office, the government department responsible for policing, border security, and counterterrorism, and the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA).
The NPSA serves as the UK’s technical authority for protective security against terrorist and state threats.
Successful projects can receive up to 350,000 pounds ($470,000) in funding and are expected to deliver a prototype or technology demonstrator within 12 months.
Proposals may also include an optional testing phase extending the project to 18 months.
The first application round, now open, will close on August 27, with additional funding rounds planned through this year and 2027.
Priority Areas
The competition uses a two-stage selection process.
Applicants first submit a short concept proposal, with shortlisted projects invited to submit a full application.
Funding will be awarded only to projects that address the identified security challenges and demonstrate a clear path toward operational use within two years of completion.
For the current funding round, the Home Office is seeking technologies to improve secure data sharing across government and law enforcement, counter cyber-enabled threats and online harms, strengthen national security resilience, and enhance border security.
The NPSA is prioritizing technologies for screening vehicles and crowds for concealed explosives and weapons, detecting hostile surveillance activities such as unauthorized camera use, and using extended reality and AI to improve security training and incident response.
