National Cyber Programme - International: responsible cyber behaviour call for bids
The National Cyber Programme - International (NCP-I) is inviting project proposals by 29 September 2022 to support responsible cyber behaviour.
Documents
Details
The deadline for applications is 11:59pm (British Summer Time) on 29 September 2022.
As outlined in the Integrated Review and National Cyber Strategy 2022 the UK’s vision is to be a leading, democratic, responsible cyber power, working with partners to shape cyberspace according to our values.
The government’s National Cyber Programme (NCP) is inviting proposals for activity in support of responsible cyber power internationally.
NCP-I: project themes
We welcome project proposals that will support the UK’s objective of facilitating the development of a shared approach, between the UK and other States, to define ‘responsible cyber behaviour’ by:
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leveraging insight from thought-leaders to define shared priorities for a campaign to shape the future of cyberspace in line with UK values
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running workshops to build support for responsible behaviour in cyberspace, including from those at the top of their field
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conducting analysis to identify shared objectives and positions between a broad group of states
Proposals should describe how the programme of activity will meet the above objectives and requirements, and how value for money will be achieved.
Proposals should also consider the potential impact of global crises, such as energy and the cost of living, COVID-19, including full or partial lockdowns, local or international travel restrictions, and political scenarios that might affect the project’s implementation and levels of stakeholder engagement, including normal and scheduled scenarios (for example elections).
You can also read more background information: Responsible cyber behaviour call for bids: further guidance.
Project proposal budgets
Proposals can cover financial years 2022 to 2023, 2023 to 2024, and 2024 to 2025. Project proposals should describe what will be achieved by March 2025, with key milestones and performance indicators in 2023 and 2024. These key milestones and performance indicators should be aligned with, and deliver measurable impact for, the UK’s National Cyber Strategy, Pillar 4 (Global Leadership).
For all programmes, projects and activity across multiple financial years, there is a break clause in the Grant and MoU agreements at the end of each financial year. We retain sole discretion on the decision whether to continue the programme of activity beyond March 2023 and March 2024. This depends on funding availability for the next financial year and implementer performance.
We expect the final programme of activity to run until the end of January or February 2025, with a capped budget of £2 million.
Prospective delivery partners and consortium leaders should provide layered bids reflecting activity that can be delivered at £0.5 million intervals (£0.5 million, £1 million, £1.5 million and £2 million).
Who can bid
The NCP-I welcomes bids from:
- academia
- non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- inter-governmental organisations
- not-for-profit arms of commercial entities
Many cyber projects, activity and events cannot be delivered fully by a single implementer, as they require a diverse range of capability and skills. We therefore welcome bids from consortia led by not-for-profit organisations.
Commercial organisations may join consortia as part of a bidding team. In this case the commercial element of the proposal, which can be sub-contracted by the not-for-profit organisation, should be proportionate.
How to submit a proposal
You should submit proposals to cybercapacity.building@fcdo.gov.uk by 11:59pm (British Summer Time) on 29 September 2022.
Proposals must include:
- completed Project Proposal Form (PPF)
- completed Activity-Based Budget (ABB)
- staff daily rate card
- confirmation that you are content to use the FCDO grant agreement or FCDO memorandum of understanding (MoU) template
We will not consider proposals submitted after the deadline. All proposals must be in English and budgets must be in pound sterling (GBP).
Criteria for assessing proposals
Proposals will be assessed against:
- alignment with the requirements
- value for money for economy, efficiency, effectiveness, equity, and cost-effectiveness
- project viability, including capacity and capability of implementing organisation(s)
- project design, including clear, achievable objectives/outputs/outcomes/impact
- good risk, issue and stakeholder management
- implementer experience and past performance
- sustainability of impact
Enquiries
You can email enquiries in relation to this call for bids to: cybercapacity.building@fcdo.gov.uk
Depending on the enquiry, FCDO might share the question and answer with other potential bidders to ensure all have up-to-date and relevant information to support bids.