Commissioning

NABS+ 2026 Commissioning Call

We’re inviting applications for innovative, small-scale research projects that address areas of importance in keeping the public safe. NABS+’ commissioning call offers a chance to make a meaningful impact in areas including online influence, decision-making, surveillance, staff welfare, and cyber resilience.

Call topics

Applicants are invited to submit proposals for projects on the following topics:

Organisational Resilience and Staff Wellbeing
Trust and Reputation in Anonymous Online Spaces
Socio-Cultural beliefs and Decision-Making
Hackers & AI
Covert and Overt Surveillance in Law Enforcement

For full details of the topics, see the Call Specification.

Deadlines

13 October 2026; 17:00 – Deadline for questions and queries
20 October 2026; 17:00 – Deadline for submitting full proposals
w/c 14 December 2026 – Commissioning panel meeting
December 2026 – Successful applicants informed and award commencement

Submit an application

Before you submit an application, please download and read the following documents:

Call Specification
You can find full details of the call in the Call Specification. It outlines the programme goals, the type of funding available, the process by which eligible bodies may apply, and mandatory requirements for applications.

Cover Page
When you’re ready to start your application, it is essential that you complete the Cover Page in accordance with our guidance outlined in the Call Specification. Please note, we reserve the right to reject any submission that does not conform to these requirements.

FAQs

For more answers not covered in the above documents, see our up-to-date frequently asked questions.

Contact us

Email Susanna Yates, NABS+ Project Manager, at nabscommissioning@lancaster.ac.uk if you have any questions not answered in the FAQs or the above documents.
The deadline for questions and queries is 17:00 on 13th October 2026.

NABS+ Commissioned Projects

The eight successful projects selected for funding through the 2025 commissioning call can be seen on our Projects page below, and are grouped by three themes: