CivTech Round 12 Opens Six Challenges Backed by £5.7m
Technology companies, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and individual developers have until 12 noon on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, to apply for six new CivTech challenges backed by £5.7 million.
CivTech Round 12 is seeking potential solutions to public-sector problems, including NHS patient transport, child protection, fuel poverty, substance-use support, digital public services, and the circular economy. The programme launched on 8 September, and applications are being handled through Public Contracts Scotland.
Applicants do not need to be established companies or based in Scotland. CivTech says individuals, informal teams, academic teams, pre-start businesses, start-ups, established companies, charities, and community groups can all apply. A formal company is only required if a team progresses from the Exploration Stage into the Accelerator.
Six CivTech Round 12 challenges
Each of the six Round 12 challenges has a published maximum contract value of £650,000 + VAT. This is the upper limit that can potentially be spent on developing a solution throughout the CivTech process, rather than a guaranteed payment to the successful applicant.
| Challenge | Focus | Sponsor | Maximum contract value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.1 | Connecting people affected by substance use with trusted support | Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre, Simon Community Scotland, and WithYou | £650,000 + VAT |
| 12.2 | Scalable management for growing digital public services | Scottish Government Directorate for Digital | £650,000 + VAT |
| 12.3 | Demonstrating the commercial value of circular economy practices | Zero Waste Scotland | £650,000 + VAT |
| 12.4 | Improving NHS patient transport, initially focused on renal services | Scottish Government, Scottish Ambulance Service, and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde | £650,000 + VAT |
| 12.5 | Improving multi-agency processes for child protection | Scottish Government, Police Scotland, and National Social Work Agency | £650,000 + VAT |
| 12.6 | Improving living conditions and quality of life for social housing residents | Cloch Housing Association | £650,000 + VAT |
The challenges are deliberately framed around problems rather than prescribed products. Applicants are expected to propose how technology could address the issue rather than bid to supply a pre-defined system. CivTech describes the programme as a research and development procurement process rather than a grant scheme.
Who can apply to CivTech Round 12?
CivTech’s application process is open to a much wider group than established technology suppliers.
Individuals, informal teams, academics, pre-start businesses, start-ups, charities, community groups, and companies of any size can submit proposals. Applicants can also be based outside Scotland, although teams progressing through the programme may need to attend in-person sessions in Edinburgh or work directly with Challenge Sponsors at other locations.
Applicants can submit proposals for more than one challenge, or submit more than one distinct idea for the same challenge. Each application should address the particular problem set out by that Challenge Sponsor.
CivTech also states that it does not take equity in participating companies and that intellectual property remains with the participating business. Teams entering the Accelerator grant the Challenge Sponsor a perpetual royalty-free licence to use the product developed through the programme.
How the CivTech process works
Applications are assessed by CivTech and the relevant Challenge Sponsor before shortlisted applicants are interviewed between 18 and 27 November 2026. Up to three teams for each challenge can then move into the Exploration Stage.
The three-week Exploration Stage runs from 11 to 29 January 2027. Participating teams work with the Challenge Sponsor and CivTech to develop and refine their proposal and receive £5,000 + VAT for taking part.
Teams selected after the Exploration Stage move into CivTech’s 15-week Accelerator, which runs from 1 March to 11 June 2027. Accelerator teams receive £40,000 + VAT to develop a minimum viable product alongside the Challenge Sponsor.
A further Pre-Commercial Agreement can be negotiated after the Accelerator, where the parties want to continue development. This stage is not guaranteed, and the amount available depends on spending already committed during earlier stages and the maximum contract value for the individual challenge.
How to apply for CivTech Round 12
Applications must be made through Public Contracts Scotland by 12 noon on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
Prospective applicants first need to register on Public Contracts Scotland as a supplier, and then register their interest in the individual challenge they want to enter. Separate registrations are needed for each challenge.
Applicants then complete the CivTech application form and a Grounds for Mandatory Exclusion form before submitting both through the Public Contracts Scotland electronic postbox. Once an application has been formally submitted, it cannot be edited, although a replacement application can be submitted before the deadline.
Businesses and individuals considering an application can also access challenge briefs, recorded Q&A sessions, application guidance, and CivTech’s applicant FAQs before submitting a proposal.
Applications close at 12 noon on 20 October 2026.