Innovate UK is launching a new cyber security competition that gives organisations in critical sectors the chance to trial and shape innovative technologies in real operational environments.
The Contracts for Innovation: Cyber Scale in Critical Sectors programme is designed to make it easier and safer for organisations responsible for essential services to test new cyber security solutions. It brings end‑users together with high‑potential UK cyber security suppliers, helping innovations move from concept to real‑world use.
For organisations across Critical National Infrastructure, this offers a practical route to improving cyber resilience without the risk and cost often associated with new technology adoption.
Taking part as a partner or end‑user allows organisations to tackle real cyber security challenges while directly influencing how new solutions are developed.
Participants can trial cyber security tools in live or operationally relevant environments, ensuring they work in practice, not just in theory. This hands‑on approach allows organisations to validate new technologies against their own systems, processes and risks.
There is also a strong opportunity to shape products so they better reflect operational needs, while engaging with cyber security suppliers at a much lower procurement risk. Innovate UK funding supports the projects, creating a structured and lower‑risk path to innovation.
Ultimately, involvement helps strengthen cyber resilience and readiness at a time when threats to critical services continue to grow.
The competition is looking for projects that address some of the most pressing cyber security challenges facing the UK’s critical sectors.
These include proactive cyber defence of Critical National Infrastructure, improved incident response, and the detection and removal of sophisticated cyber actors from operational networks. Innovate UK is also seeking new approaches to threat hunting, particularly those designed for complex CNI environments.
Another key focus is securing legacy systems that remain vital to day‑to‑day operations but are often difficult to protect using modern tools.
The competition is open to organisations across a wide range of critical sectors, including:
- Chemicals
- Communications
- Emergency services
- Energy
- Food
- Health
- Space
- Transport
- Water
Organisations within these sectors are encouraged to engage early to help shape solutions that protect essential services and supply chains.
Cyber security companies applying to the competition must work closely with end‑users and potential customers. Solutions will be tested in realistic operational settings and supported on a clear path towards commercial deployment.
For participating organisations, this means providing insight, access and validation. In return, they gain early exposure to promising cyber security technologies and the chance to influence products before they reach the wider market.
The competition was published on 22 April 2026 and opens for applications on 1 May 2026. An online briefing event will take place on 7 May 2026 at 11:00.
Full details will be available through the Innovation Funding Service and Innovate UK Business Connect websites.
Organisations interested in taking part or discussing whether the programme is right for them can contact Marta Fernandez Aguilar, Innovation Lead for Cyber Scale in Critical Sectors, at marta.fernandezaguilar@iuk.ukri.org.
Innovate UK is encouraging critical sector organisations to get involved early and help shape the next generation of cyber security solutions to protect the UK’s essential services.organisations to help shape the next generation of cyber security solutions protecting the UK’s essential services.