Build the next cyber company while earning your PhD – Applications for CyberInvent Open
A fully funded PhD is one thing.
A fully funded PhD that could help you build a cyber startup around your research?
That’s what makes CyberInvent different.
Applications are now open for the next cohort of CyberInvent, the fully funded PhD Academy from Cardiff University and Cyber Innovation Hub, designed for ambitious researchers who want to tackle real-world cyber security challenges and explore how their research can create lasting impact.
CyberInvent combines world-class doctoral research with a structured venture-building pathway. You’ll work on genuine industry challenges, develop cutting-edge research and progress through Cyber Innovation Hub’s Venture Building Programme, where you’ll test your ideas, validate them with potential users, build a multidisciplinary team around promising research and explore taking it into the real world.
Why now?
Artificial intelligence, connected infrastructure and rapidly evolving cyber threats are creating entirely new challenges for organisations.
Tomorrow’s cyber security solutions won’t come from existing technologies alone. They’ll come from the next generation of researchers asking better questions, exploring new ideas and developing technologies that don’t yet exist.
That’s exactly what CyberInvent is designed to support.
Applications are now open until 20 July 2026 for our January intake
Explore topics
Need inspiration?
Join a Community Solving Tomorrow’s Cyber Challenges
When you join CyberInvent, you’ll become part of a growing community of researchers already tackling some of cyber security’s biggest challenges.
Current projects include:
- Building trustworthy and transparent AI systems for autonomous and agentic technologies.
- Using AI to simulate sophisticated social engineering attacks and strengthen organisational resilience.
- Developing next-generation cyber threat intelligence platforms to help protect the UK’s critical national infrastructure.
- Creating AI-powered penetration testing for operational technology and industrial environments.
- Advancing vehicle forensics to support law enforcement and government agencies as vehicles become increasingly connected.
These aren’t hypothetical research topics. They’re real challenges organisations are facing today, creating opportunities for research with genuine commercial and societal impact.
More Than a PhD
- A fully funded PhD at Cardiff University, including a three-year stipend of £19,237*.
- Academic supervision from leading cyber security researchers.
- Industry-led cyber security challenges.
- Access to industry mentors, challenge owners and specialist networks.
- A dedicated Venture Building Programme integrated throughout your PhD.
- Market validation and commercial support.
- The opportunity to build a multidisciplinary team around promising research.
Put simply: CyberInvent helps create the innovation; Venture Building helps carry it into the world
No previous startup or commercialisation experience is required. Just technical potential, curiosity and a cyber security problem you want to solve.
* Stipend covers the costs of a home student as defined here
Your Journey
Explore the CyberSight25 challenge areas and identify a cyber security problem you want to solve. From AI and operational technology to supply chain resilience and critical infrastructure, every project begins with a real-world challenge identified by industry.
Review the Cardiff University entry requirements. Typically, you’ll have a 2:1 or Master’s degree in computing or a related discipline, although relevant professional experience may also be considered.
Tell us about the challenge you’d like to tackle, your research interests and why you’re excited about solving it. Your proposal should align with one of the CyberSight25 challenge areas and explain the impact your research could make. Submit application >
If shortlisted, you’ll be matched with leading researchers at Cardiff University, alongside industry experts and challenge owners who will help shape your research throughout the programme.
Begin your fully funded PhD at Cardiff University in January 2027.
You’ll undertake world-class research while collaborating with industry and developing the knowledge, skills and networks needed to maximise the impact of your work.
Alongside your PhD, you’ll progress through Cyber Innovation Hub’s Venture Building Programme.
You’ll learn how to:
- Validate your idea with potential users.
- Understand market opportunities.
- Develop entrepreneurial skills.
- Build a multidisciplinary team around your research.
- Work alongside experienced founders, mentors and industry experts.
If your research demonstrates strong potential, we’ll help you explore taking it beyond the lab and towards real-world deployment.
Could You Be Part of the Next Cohort?
If you’re excited by difficult problems, motivated by real-world impact and ready to explore where your research could lead, CyberInvent could be your next step.
Applications are now open for the January 2027 intake and close on 20 July 2026.
Build the next cyber company while earning your PhD.