Aims/Priorities: Cyber Local is a UK government scheme to deliver tailored support for the cyber security sector across the regions.
By tapping into local know-how, Cyber Local funds initiatives which support the growth of cyber security ecosystems, promote partnerships, and increase cyber security skills and careers opportunities.
Cyber Local is part of the government's work to kickstart economic growth and ensure good jobs, skills and growth benefit every part of the country. It supports the government's work to improve UK cyber defences and ensure citizens, businesses and essential public services are secure online.
Cyber Local provides grant funding for activities and events that support the growth of the cyber security sector and the development of cyber security skills.
Who can apply? This competition is open to single applicants and collaborations. To lead a project, work alone, or collaborate with the lead, an organisation must be a UK registered:
- Business of any size
- Academic institution
- Research and technology organisation (RTO)
- Charity
- Not for profit
- Public sector organisation
To qualify for Cyber Local funding, projects must:
- Address a cyber security challenge faced by the region in which it will be delivered.
- Not duplicate any existing initiatives.
- Be delivered in one of the nine English regions.
- Be delivered over 3 or 6 months and before 31 March 2026.
- Demonstrate clear impact in the cyber security sector of the region through a focus on one or more of the following thematic areas:
- Strengthening the local cyber security sector through area partnerships and forging links between industry, public sector and academia.
- Supporting the development of strong and innovative cyber security ecosystems.
- Increasing opportunities for local people to pursue a career in cyber security, paying particular attention to underrepresented communities.
- Cyber security skills for local people communities to reduce the skills gap.
- Upskilling underrepresented demographics in the cyber security sector.
Grant Amount: The total grant funding request must be between £25,000 and £150,000.
Application Process: Before submitting an Innovate UK Cyber Local grant application applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Key Dates:
- Completed Expressions of Interest should be returned to cyber.local@dsit.gov.uk by midnight on 14 March 2025.
- Innovate UK Cyber Local Grant Competition will open on 17 March 2025.
- Innovate UK Cyber Local Grant Competition will close on 30 April 2025.
Only those whose Expressions of Interest are endorsed by the regional steering group will be able to submit a full application for Cyber Local funding to Innovate UK.
Deadline: Friday 14 March (midnight)
Contact Information: cyber.local@dsit.gov.uk
Website: Cyber Local - GOV.UK