Cyber Innovate to Elevate 2026/27

Benefits of CItE to your business 

CItE gives businesses selected for the programme access to hands-on expert support from the University of Essex to explore cybersecurity and AI innovation projects that could make your organisation more secure, efficient and competitive.  

There is no cash contribution required to take part. If your project is selected, the programme will fund eligible project costs, including University staff time, expert input, travel and some project-related equipment.  

Whether you want to reduce cyber risk, improve how your team uses data, explore AI adoption or develop more secure digital systems, CItE can help you move from idea to action with expert execution and practical outputs.

Why take part?

CItE is designed to help your business act on cybersecurity and AI opportunities without taking on the full cost of specialist consultancy.

Through the programme, participants will receive hands-on intervention from an Innovation Manager from the University and access to a team of highly qualified academics and research staff who can offer expertise across your cyber and AI challenges.

CItE could help your business to:

• Improve cyber resilience and reduce exposure to digital risks.
• Identify practical ways to use AI, data or automation more effectively.
• Access to specialist research expertise and graduate talent.
• Upskill staff and build confidence around cybersecurity and AI advancements.
• Develop secure systems, processes or policies that support future growth.
• Explore new products, services or business models.
• Create an Innovation Roadmap with clear next steps and potential follow-on funding routes.
• Develop new networks that could lead to referrals, partnerships or future projects

Your project will be shaped around your business needs

Example projects include:

• Assessing cybersecurity and privacy risks across your organisation.
• Developing data systems that embed privacy and security from the start.
• Creating practical policies to support data protection and compliance.
• Exploring AI, automation or digitisation opportunities securely.
• Turning business data into predictive insights that support smarter decisions.
• Exploring computer vision or sensing to improve processes and monitoring.
• Using human-centred AI to streamline tasks and improve customer interactions.
• Visualising risks linked to technology, people and processes.
• Designing cyber awareness activity or training for your team.

Discover how CItE has supported businesses previously

How it works

1. Check eligibility. Review the criteria and tell us about your business.
2. Share your challenge. Complete a short expression of interest so we can understand what you want to achieve.
3. Scope your project. University Business Engagement specialists will help shape your idea into a focused project with clear aims and expected outcomes.
4. Apply. Submit a simple application form with support from the University’s Business Engagement team.
5. Receive a decision. We will aim to assess applications within three weeks and provide feedback to all applicants.
6. Deliver your project. If selected, you will work with an Innovation Manager and University experts to complete your project by 31 March 2027.
7. Build on the results. You will receive practical outputs, plus follow-up support to understand longer-term impact.

Who can apply?

CItE is open to eligible UK-owned SMEs headquartered in the Freeport East area of northern Essex and south-east Suffolk or within Mid Suffolk District Council boundaries.

Businesses should be ready to work collaboratively, commit time to the project and have a clear challenge or opportunity linked to cybersecurity or AI innovation.

See full eligibility criteria here.

If you are unsure whether your business can apply, express your interest here and the team can help you understand whether the programme is a good fit.

Register your interest

Places are limited. Express your interest now and see if CItE could support your next cybersecurity or AI project.