Selected solution(s) will be trialled in pilot studies, with the possibility of further adoption upon successful trials, co-developed with the challenge holder.

The UK national security community exists to protect the safety and security of the UK. The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), also known as MI6, has approached HMGCC Co-Creation with a requirement to streamline screening individuals of interest, potentially using automation and/or AI to develop further insights.&nbsp; Can your organisation demonstrate how AI can assist with screening individuals of interest? HMGCC Co-Creation is offering to fund organisations for this 12-week feasibility project to show how AI tools can assist with screening and support the national security mission. Full funding is provided for time, materials, overheads and other indirect expenses. There is no determined total budget amount, as the strength of received proposals will be a factor. Multi-organisation consortia are encouraged to apply.

The Challenge

Screening requires multiple data sets, analysis and due diligence of decision making, with appropriate data handling, oversight and governance. This has worked incredibly successfully for many years, but can you help us shape the future with AI?
A visualisation of the current process is shown in Figure 1.

The Gap

554ab9f0-2791-4a5b-a7e8-10c697a5d42c/Picture1.jpg

Figure 1. Illustration of the high-level steps of screening.
Unprocessed data, is analysed by many different tools, depending on the type of data. It is often a manual process and can involve many different stakeholders. It is highly iterative if more data or analysis is required.
It is believed that by using recent and future developments in AI, this otherwise complex working process could be made simpler. Extra value could be added by linking with other historical data as well as flagging key insights and decision points as new data becomes available.
Example use case
Sam, an SIS employee has the task of screening 100 individuals of interest. Currently this is a complex process involving the use of multiple tools to gain insight from unstructured data. Sam repeats the process with different collections of information.
The next challenges for Sam are:
<ul>
<li>Filtering insights that are relevant.</li>
<li>Recognising patterns in behaviour and data.</li>
<li>Iterating and then drawing insights when working with multiple data sets.</li>
<li>Ensuring a connection with a parallel or a historic search has not been missed.</li>
<li>Focussing resource on the most relevant information.</li>
</ul>
It is thought that by using AI, this process could be partially automated during Sam&rsquo;s research and similarities with other screenings spotted. Important insights, gaps in knowledge or key decisions could be flagged to a person.
Applications for this technology in alternative sectors may include recruitment agencies, the banking Know Your Customer (KYC) process and risk assessment in insurance.

SIS is keen to access novel technology solutions, however it is recognised that new developments are unlikely to occur to any significant level over a 12-week period. SIS is looking to work with solution providers on mid-TRL products with the aim of long term collaborations. A 12-week project may include:
<ul>
<li>Horizon scanning and detailing the art of the possible</li>
<li>Demonstrating existing developments in a relevant environment, perhaps from parallel sectors such as insurance, banking and social media.</li>
<li>Working with solution providers to examine how a tool could be pivoted for the SIS use case.</li>
</ul>
To help steer, it could have the following features:
<ul>
<li>Natural language input</li>
<li>Flag areas of interest or further investigation</li>
<li>Audit log of decisions and flags</li>
<li>Ability to automate case record updates as new information becomes available</li>
<li>Must be used on premises without public cloud connectivity.</li>
</ul>

Project Scope

<ul>
<li>Competition opens - Monday 18 March 2024</li>
<li>Online briefing call date - Tuesday 9 April 2024</li>
<li>Online registration for briefing call - <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/use-of-ai-in-screening-individuals-of-interest-briefing-call-tickets-852761631997?aff=oddtdtcreator">Eventbrite registration</a></li>
<li>Clarifying questions published - Tuesday 23 April 2024</li>
<li>Competition closes - Thursday 9 May 2024</li>
<li>Applicant notified - Friday 31st May 2024</li>
<li>Pitch day in London and Teams - Wednesday 19th June 2024</li>
<li>Target project kick-off - August 2024</li>
</ul>
Key Information
<ul>
<li>Budget per single organisation, up to - &pound;60,000</li>
<li>Budget per consortium, up to - &pound;120,000</li>
<li>Project duration - 12 weeks</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Timescales 

This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes. There is no requirement for security clearances.
Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the UK government under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes, are not eligible for HMGCC Co- Creation challenges.
How we evaluate
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:
<ul>
<li>Scope - Does the proposal fit within the challenge scope, taking into consideration cost and benefit?</li>
<li>Innovation - Is the technical solution credible, will it create new knowledge and IP, or use existing IP?</li>
<li>Deliverables - Will the proposal deliver a full or partial solution, if a partial solution, are there collaborations identified?</li>
<li>Timescale - Will the proposal deliver a <a href="https://www.gartner.com/en/marketing/glossary/minimum-viable-product-mvp-">minimum viable product</a> within the project duration?</li>
<li>Budget - Are the project finances within the competition scope?</li>
<li>Team - Is the organisation / delivery team credible in this technical area?</li>
</ul>
Invitation to present
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.
After the pitch day, a final funding decision will be made. For unsuccessful applicants, feedback will be given in a timely manner.
Assessment
Innovate UK Business Connect is marketing this challenge on behalf of Op Tech Co-creation. HMGCC and its government partners will undertake responsibility for assessment and feedback in line with their own organisational data policies.
&nbsp;

Eligibility & Assessment Criteria 

Existing background IP associated with a potential solution will remain with Solution Provider(s).
Where any new IP generation is envisaged, it will be subject to the mutual IP agreement of the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger. &nbsp;
Any commercial deployment of a transferred solution or newly developed solution, through licensing, joint venture, partnership, or direct investment, will be subject to the commercial agreement between the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger. &nbsp;
Where necessary, a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) may be signed to uphold confidentiality in the engagement between the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger. This would be expected to be after company selection. All entries are treated as confidential and only shared with Innovate UK and the challenge holder, however if the innovator is concerned about sharing IP, it is suggested that details of IP are not disclosed. Instead, focus on the outcomes of the technology proposed at this application stage. &nbsp; Innovate UK and IUK Business Connect do not take any share of IP ownership or enter commercial ventures through the iX programme.&nbsp;

IP & Potential Commercial Route 

Clarifying questions or general requests for assistance can be submitted directly to cocreation@hmgcc.gov.uk 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.

Clarifying Questions

Routes to apply:
HMGCC Co-Creation is working with a diverse set of multiple community collaborators to broadcast and host its challenges. <a href="https://www.hmgcc.gov.uk/co-creation/">Please follow this link for the full list of community collaborators.</a>
If possible, please submit applications via a community collaborator.
If the community collaborator does not host an application route, please send applications directly to cocreation@hmgcc.gov.uk, including the challenge title with a note of the community collaborator where this challenge was first viewed.
All information you provide to us as part of your proposal, whether submitted directly or via a collaborator platform, will be handled in confidence.
How to apply:
Applications must be no more than six pages or six slides in length. The page/slide limit excludes personnel CVs and organisational profiles.
There is no prescribed application format, however, please ensure your application includes the following:
<ul>
<li>Applicant details - Contact name, organisation details and registration number.</li>
<li>Scope - Describe how the project aligns to the challenge scope.</li>
<li>Innovation - Describe the innovation and technology intended to be delivered in the project, along with new IP that will be generated or existing IP that can be used.</li>
<li>Deliverables - Describe the project outcomes and their impacts.</li>
<li>Timescale - Detail how a <a href="https://www.gartner.com/en/marketing/glossary/minimum-viable-product-mvp-">minimum viable product</a> will be achieved within the project duration.</li>
<li>Budget - Provide project finances against deliverables within the project duration.</li>
<li>Team - Key personnel CVs and expertise, organisational profile if applicable.</li>
</ul>

Applications

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 HMGCC Co-Creation terms and conditions.
Commercial contracts and funding of successful applications will be engaged via our commercial collaborator, Cranfield University.
Please read <a href="https://we.tl/t-t1uVxGD2qe">here</a> for the full terms and conditions.&nbsp;

HMGCC Co-Creation Terms and Conditions

<a href="https://www.hmgcc.gov.uk">HMGCC</a> works with the national security community, UK government, academia, private sector partners and international allies to bring engineering ingenuity to the&nbsp;national security mission, creating tools and technologies that drive us ahead and help to protect the nation.
<a href="https://www.hmgcc.gov.uk/co-creation/">HMGCC Co-Creation</a> is a partnership between <a href="https://www.hmgcc.gov.uk">HMGCC</a> 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.
HMGCC Co-Creation is part of the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/national-security-technology-and-innovation-exchange">NSTIx</a> Co-Creation network, which enables the UK government national security community to collaborate on science, technology and innovation activities and to deliver these in partnership with a more diverse set of contributors for greater shared impact and pace.
HMGCC Co-Creation aims 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.

HMGCC Co-Creation Supporting Information

<ol>
<li>Who owns the intellectual property? 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.</li>
<li>Who are the end customers? National security users include a wide range of different UK government departments which varies from challenge to challenge. This is a modest market and so we would encourage solution providers to consider dual use and commercial exploitation.</li>
<li>What funding is eligible? This is not grant funding, so HMGCC Co-Creation funds all time, materials, overheads and indirect costs.</li>
<li>How many projects are funded for each challenge? On average we fund two solution providers per challenge, but it does come down to the merit and strength of the received proposals.</li>
<li>Do you expect to get a full product by the end of the funding? It changes from challenge to challenge, but it&rsquo;s unlikely. We typically see this initial funding as a feasibility or prototyping activity.</li>
<li>Is there the possibility for follow-on funding beyond project timescale? 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.</li>
<li>Can we collaborate with other organisations to form a consortium? Yes, in fact this is encouraged, and additional funding may be made available as per the outlined budget.</li>
<li>I can&rsquo;t attend the online briefing event,can I still access this? Yes, on request it will be made available after it has been broadcasted. This will be made available via the HMGCC Co-Creation community collaborators.</li>
<li>Do we need security clearances to work with HMGCCCo-Creation? 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</a>, we may however, request the project team undertake <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels#:~:text=vetting%2Dclearance%2Dlevels-,Baseline%20Personnel%20Security%20Standard%20(%20BPSS%20),with%20access%20to%20government%20assets.">BPSS </a>checks or equivalent.</li>
<li>We think we have already solved this challenge, can we still apply? That would be welcomed. If your product fits our needs, then we would like to hear about it.</li>
<li>Can you explain the Technology Readiness Level (TRL)? 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.</li>
<li>Can I source components from the list of restricted countries, e.g.electronic components? Yes, that is acceptable under phase 1 - feasibility, as long as it doesn&rsquo;t break <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/current-arms-embargoes-and-other-restrictions">UK government trade restrictions and/or arms embargoes</a>.</li>
</ol>

FAQs

Solution providers should also consider their business development and supply chains are in-line with the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-security-and-investment-act-guidance-on-notifiable-acquisitions/national-security-and-investment-act-guidance-on-notifiable-acquisitions">National Security and Investment Act</a> NPSA <a href="https://www.npsa.gov.uk/trusted-research">trusted research</a> and <a href="https://www.npsa.gov.uk/secure-innovation/company-guidance">secure innovation</a> advice.
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</a>.

Use of AI in Screening Individuals of Interest

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Use of AI in Screening Individuals of Interest