Single organisations can apply for up to £60,000 of funding, for an agile 12-week project to show the feasibility of gathering an IMSI identifier from an electronic SIM card (eSIM) for the purposes of national security officer safety. This is 100% funded by HMGCC Co-Creation for time and materials. There is potential for multiple projects to be funded.

There is a rapidly increasing prevalence among mobile phone manufacturers to move away from using removable SIM cards in favour of embedded or integrated SIMS (eSIM). The iPhone 14 sold in the US, for example, no longer has a physical SIM card holder, but uses an eSIM instead. It&rsquo;s anticipated that many other manufacturers will also transition from physical SIM cards to eSIMs in the near future. Commercial software solutions are able to read eSIMs but they also collect collateral data, such as contact lists and SMS messages in addition to IMSI numbers, which is unacceptable for this scenario as it contravenes data handling regulations. There is therefore, no currently no acceptable means to read and record IMSI numbers from the emerging generation of eSIM enabled mobile phones and devices&nbsp;

The Gap

Jennifer, who is a Government employee is about to be deployed overseas to a friendly country. She could be there for months or years. Prior to travelling overseas, she has a long checklist to complete so she is well prepared. One of these is to provide her mobile phone IMSI number to the security officer, Robert, who will record this in corporate records.&nbsp;
When Jennifer is deployed, in case of emergency, her IMSI may be used to track her last known locations by providing the IMSI to local telecoms providers that the Government has good and well-established relationships with.&nbsp;
Robert and Jennifer discuss using Apps to find her phone, which are readily available, but there is little assurance with what is done with this data. Jennifer hands her phone over to Robert, but she has a modern phone with a non-removable eSIM. Robert hasn&rsquo;t got the equipment to read the IMSI as he&rsquo;s used to popping out a removable SIM card and placing in a SIM reader. He needs a secure and non-intrusive solution to easily and privately read the eSIM IMSI.&nbsp;

Example use case

Below&nbsp; is a list of desirable functions:&nbsp; 1. The solution(s) must be able to read and display IMSI numbers from a wide range of unlocked mobile phones that utilise eSIMs.&nbsp; 2. Where more than one eSIM is active within a given mobile device, the solution(s) must be capable of reading and displaying the IMSI number for each SIM.&nbsp; 3. The solutions(s) should read and display the IMSI number of the phone of interest, only, and no other data from this phone nor any data, at all, from other phones, nearby.&nbsp; 4. The solution(s) must not pose a risk of damaging or corrupting the device being read or its associated eSIM.&nbsp; 5. The solution(s) should be intuitive to use, such that non-technical people can read and record IMSI numbers, effectively, with little or no training.&nbsp; 6. It is also desirable, for the solution(s) to read and display IMSI numbers from conventional SIM cards and satphone equivalents in addition to those from eSIMs&nbsp; We are interested in developing innovative technology to approximately TRL 5 or 6, that can take an IMSI reading from an eSIM device (device agnostic) without taking collateral information. We are not prescriptive on the format of the concept demonstrator. But it must comply with data protection and GDPR, data aggregation must be considered and handled securely.&nbsp;
We are not interested in horizon scanning, technology mapping or low TRL developments.&nbsp;

Scope 

This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes. There is no requirement for security clearances.&nbsp;
Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/current-arms-embargoes-and-other-restrictions">UK government under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes,</a> are not eligible for HMGCC Co-Creation challenges.&nbsp;

Eligibility 

All proposals, regardless of the application route, will be assessed by the HMGCC Co-Creation team. Proposals will be scored 1&ndash;5 on the following criteria:&nbsp;
 Scope - Does the proposal fit within the challenge scope, taking into consideration cost and benefit?&nbsp;
Innovation - Is the technical solution credible, will it create new knowledge and IP, or use existing IP?&nbsp;
Deliverables - Will the proposal deliver a full or partial solution, if a partial solution, are there collaborations identified?&nbsp;
Timescale - Will the proposal deliver a minimum viable product within the project duration?&nbsp;
Budget - Are the project finances within the competition scope?
Team - Are the organisation / delivery team credible in this technical area?

How we evaluate

Competition opens - Monday 4 December 2023
Online briefing -&nbsp;<a href="https://we.tl/t-6arvoHlSCE">Slides</a> and <a href="https://we.tl/t-txc3em0pEA">transcript</a> to the online briefing that took place on Tuesday 9 January 2024 at 10:00am.
Competition closes - Thursday 1 February 2024 at 5:00pm Applicant notified - Friday 16 February 2024 Pitch day in Milton Keynes - Thursday 22 February 2024
Target project kick-off - March 2024

Dates

Successful applicants will be invited to a pitch day, giving them a chance to meet the HMGCC Co- Creation team and pitch the proposal during a 20 minute presentation, followed by questions.&nbsp;
After the pitch day, a final funding decision will be made. For unsuccessful applicants, feedback will be given in a timely manner.&nbsp;

Invitation to Present

Clarifying questions or general requests for assistance can be submitted directly to <a href="mailto:cocreation@hmgcc.gov.uk">cocreation@hmgcc.gov.uk</a> prior to the cut-off date. These clarifying questions may be technical, procedural, or commercial in subject, or anything else where assistance is required. Please note that answered questions will be published to facilitate a fair and open competition.&nbsp;
<a href="https://we.tl/t-aYdoGBNB8Q">eSIM FAQ</a>

Clarifying questions

Please note that by submitting a proposal in response to this challenge you are agreeing to the <a href="https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/20210321_Co-Creation_Shortform_Contract_HMGCC_CU51-2-1.pdf">terms and conditions</a> of contract as issued and are thereby making a formal offer of contract, from which the Authority shall have the right to accept in part or in full should your proposal be deemed acceptable.

IP & Potential Commercial Route

694047b5-5aed-4bcc-9d4e-b298e6e20c01/IPeSIM.png

Routes to apply

Proposals must be compliant with the HMGCC Co-Creation terms and conditions; by submitting your proposal you are confirming your organisation&rsquo;s unqualified acceptance of Co-Creation terms and conditions&nbsp;
Commercial contracts and funding of successful applications will be engaged via our commercial collaborator, Cranfield University.&nbsp;

Co-Creation Terms and conditions

<a href="https://www.hmgcc.gov.uk/">HMGCC</a> work with the national security community, UK government, academia, private sector partners and international allies to bring engineering ingenuity to the national security mission, creating tools and technologies that drive us ahead and help to protect the nation.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.hmgcc.gov.uk/co-creation/">HMGCC Co-Creation</a> is a partnership between HMGCC and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-science-and-technology-laboratory">Dstl </a>(Defence Science and Technology Laboratory), created to deliver a new, bold and innovative way of working with the wider UK science and technology community. We bring together the best in class across industry, academia, and government, to work collaboratively on national security engineering challenges and accelerate innovation.&nbsp;
HMGCC Co-Creation aim to work collaboratively with the successful solution providers by utilising in-house delivery managers working<a href="https://www.gov.uk/service-manual/agile-delivery/agile-methodologies"> Agile</a> by default. This process will involve access to HMGCC Co-Creation's technical expertise and facilities to bring a product to market more effectively than traditional customer-supplier relationships.&nbsp;

HMGCC Co-Creation Supporting information

1. Who owns the intellectual property?&nbsp;
As per the HMGCC Co-Creation terms and conditions, project IP shall belong exclusively to the solution provider, granting the Authority a non-exclusive, royalty free licence.&nbsp;
2. Who are the end customers?&nbsp;
National security users. This is a wide range of different UK government departments which will vary from challenge to challenge. This is a modest market and so we would encourage solution providers to consider dual use and commercial exploitation.&nbsp;
3. What funding is eligible?&nbsp;
This is not grant funding, so HMGCC Co-Creation funds all time, materials, overheads and indirect costs.&nbsp;
4. How many projects are funded for each challenge?&nbsp;
On average we fund two solution providers per challenge, but it does come down to the merit and strength of the received proposals.&nbsp;
5. Do you expect to get a full product by the end of the funding?&nbsp;
It changes from challenge to challenge, but it&rsquo;s unlikely. We typically see this initial funding as a feasibility or prototyping activity.&nbsp;
6. Is there the possibility for follow-on funding beyond project timescale?&nbsp;
Yes, if the solution delivered by the end of the project is judged by the HMGCC Co-Creation team as feasible, viable and desirable, then phase 2 funding will be made available.&nbsp;
7. Can we collaborate with other organisations to form a consortium?&nbsp;
Yes, in fact this is encouraged, and additional funding may be made available as per the outlined budget.&nbsp;
8. I can&rsquo;t attend the online briefing event; can I still access this?&nbsp;
Yes, it will be made available to stream and view at your leisure after it has been broadcasted. This will be made available via the HMGCC Co-Creation community collaborators.&nbsp;
9. Do we need security clearances to work with HMGCCCo-Creation?&nbsp;
There is no requirement for security clearances, our preference is work to be conducted at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-security-classifications/government-security-classifications-policy-html">OFFICIAL.&nbsp;</a>
10. We think we have already solved this challenge; can we still apply?&nbsp;
That would be welcomed. If your product fits our needs, then we would like to hear.&nbsp;
11. Can you explain the Technology Readiness Level (TRL)?&nbsp;
Please see the<a href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/stfc/guidance-for-applicants/check-if-youre-eligible-for-funding/eligibility-of-technology-readiness-levels-trl/"> UKRI definition</a> for further detail. 12. Can I source components from the list of restricted countries, e.g. electronic&nbsp;components?&nbsp;
Yes, that is acceptable under phase 1 - feasibility, as long as it doesn&rsquo;t break <a href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/stfc/guidance-for-applicants/check-if-youre-eligible-for-funding/eligibility-of-technology-readiness-levels-trl/">UK government trade restrictions and/or arms embargoes.&nbsp;</a>

FAQs

&bull; Advice and guidance on how to keep your organisation secure online can also be found through the <a href="https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/advice-guidance/all-topics">National Cyber Security Centre.&nbsp;</a>
&bull; Solution providers should also consider the protective security measures they have in place. Please ensure ways of working are in-line with <a href="https://www.npsa.gov.uk/trusted-research">Trusted Research</a> (for academia) and <a href="https://www.npsa.gov.uk/secure-innovation/company-guidance">Secure Innovation</a> (for businesses) guidance.&nbsp;

eSIM reader for officer safety

Opportunity

Challenge opens

Challenge closes

Benefit

The Gap

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Opportunity

Challenge opens

Challenge closes

Benefit

The Gap

eSIM reader for officer safety