Open Call
HMGCC Co-Creation challenge: Security watermarks for physical documents
Overview
A 12-week challenge has been launched by HMGCC Co-Creation, looking for ways to add bespoke watermarks to physical documents.
The ability to do this without needing large-scale manufacturing runs could prove an important tool in national security, to combat forgery.
Organisations are being invited to apply for this funded challenge to develop new processes and manufacturing concepts, enabling small-scale, agile production runs of security watermarked documents. The goal is to create a flexible and responsive system that can quickly adapt to new security requirements.
HMGCC Co-Creation will provide funding for time, materials, overheads and other indirect expenses for successful applicants.
Technology themes
Engineering design consultancy, facilities, manufacturing, materials science and engineering, model prototyping, systems engineering.
Key information
Budget per single organisation, up to (ex VAT): £60,000
Project duration: 12 weeks
Competition opens Monday 6 October
Competition closes Thursday 6 November 2025 at 5pm
Context of the challenge
Watermarks in physical paper documents have been an important security feature for centuries to signify authenticity and discourage counterfeiting. Watermarked documents are ubiquitous, appearing in banknotes, passports, driving licences,
certificates, and other official documents handled daily by the public.
However, there are special cases where official paper documents are issued and an agile capability to produce watermarks is essential.
Applicants are also encouraged to identify commercial exploitation opportunities.
Who should apply?
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.
Evaluation criteria
All proposals, regardless of the application route, will be assessed by the HMGCC Co-Creation team. Proposals will be scored 1–5 on the following criteria:
Scope: Does the proposal fit within the challenge scope, taking into consideration cost and benefit?
Innovation: Is the technical solution credible, will it create new knowledge and IP, or use existing IP?
Deliverables: Will the proposal deliver a full or partial solution, if a partial solution, are there collaborations identified?
Timescale: Will the proposal deliver a minimum viable product within the project duration?
Budget: Are the project finances within the competition scope?
Team: Are the organisation / delivery team credible in this technical area?
Competition opens
Clarifying questions deadline
Clarifying questions published
5pm
Competition closes
Applicant notified
Pitch day in Milton Keynes
Pitch day outcome
Commercial onboarding begins*
Target project kick-off
*Please note, the successful solution provider will be expected to have availability for a 1-hour onboarding call via MS Teams on the date and time specified to begin the onboarding/contractual process.
Application process
Applications close Thursday 6 November, 5pm
Please find details on how to apply, as well as more information about the challenge, here.
Supporting documents
HMGCC Co-Creation supporting information
HMGCC works with the national security community, UK government, academia, private sector partners and international allies to bring engineering ingenuity to the national security mission, creating tools and technologies that drive us ahead and help to protect the nation.
HMGCC Co–Creation is a partnership between HMGCC and Dstl (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 aims to work collaboratively with the successful solution providers by utilising in-house delivery managers working Agile 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.
