2026 nabs+ Commissioning Call: Research for Understanding and mitigating risks to security and defense

CREST is seeking to identify and fund innovative and forward-looking economic, behavioural and social science research that will contribute to our understanding of contemporary security threats, or enhance the UK’s capacity to detect and mitigate such threats.

Topic focus

Applicants should propose a programme of work that addresses one of 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

Total CREST funds for this call are £410,000.

Funding: £48,000 (+20% matching from applicant resources);

Duration: 6-12 months

Research Authority due date: 13.10.26