Surfshark
Surfshark has launched the Cybersecurity Advocacy Fund to support students and professors working on cybersecurity awareness initiatives. The fund bridges academic research and real-world impact, providing up to €100,000 in financial support and expert collaboration to bring meaningful ideas to life. This year’s first submission cycle opens in September. Got a bold idea yourself? Read more about the fund below and submit your pitch.
Why the fund exists
Inspired by “Bot or Not?“, a project created by Malmö University students for Milan Design Week 2026, the Cybersecurity Advocacy Fund seeks to empower students and professors from diverse disciplines who bring fresh, innovative perspectives on how we can make the digital world safer.
Cybersecurity threats are evolving faster than the public can keep up with. People encounter phishing attempts, sophisticated scams, data leaks, and privacy violations daily – often without recognizing it. The gap between what threats exist and what people understand about them continues to widen.
We believe that closing this gap requires more than corporate solutions. It requires academic research, creative thinking, and innovative approaches that meet people where they are. It requires collaboration between industry expertise and academic freedom.
How the fund works
Who can apply
This program is open to people in academia. To apply, you must be one of the following:
- Actively enrolled as a university student;
- Employed as university faculty (such as a professor or researcher);
- Representing an officially recognized university group or organization.
When to apply
The Cybersecurity Advocacy Fund operates in two yearly cycles:
- September submissions → October selection period;
- February submissions → March selection period.
Submissions remain open for the full month. After each submission period, our team reviews all entries, and selected initiatives are contacted and supported through the following months.
Submission pitches are accepted in English only.
What we evaluate
Surfshark experts will evaluate pitches based on four key criteria:
Relevance — how well does your initiative address cybersecurity awareness and digital threats?
Clarity — is your idea clearly articulated? Do we understand what you’re proposing, how it works, and who it’s for?
Originality — does your approach bring something new to the conversation? We value fresh perspectives and innovative thinking.
Impact — what’s the potential reach of your initiative? How many people could benefit from your work, and how meaningful could that impact be?
Several Surfshark experts will review each submission to ensure a thorough evaluation process.
What ideas does the fund support
We’re looking for initiatives that fall into three main areas:
Creative advocacy
Art installations, campaigns, or interactive concepts that make digital threats tangible and easier for wider audiences to understand.
Academic research
Papers and studies that explore cybersecurity risks, digital threats, and how people understand and respond to them.
Technological ideas
Concepts or early-stage innovations where Surfshark experts can collaborate, support development, or help refine the idea further. This includes prototypes, frameworks, tools, or technical solutions that address cybersecurity awareness challenges.
Additional focus topic
This year, we’re particularly interested in projects related to scams: scam awareness and anti-scam protection. No matter the approach, we want to see how you’re tackling this growing problem.
What does the fund offer
Selected initiatives not only receive up to €100,000 annual distributed funding, but they also gain access to Surfshark’s expertise. Our team can provide technical guidance, industry insights, cybersecurity knowledge, and support throughout the development and implementation process.
This collaborative approach means your idea gets more than financial backing. It gets the resources, knowledge, and partnership needed to make a real impact.
Ready to apply?
This year’s September submission cycle opens soon. Before submitting your pitch, make sure to review the full terms and conditions to understand eligibility requirements and program details.
Whether you’re in the early stages of an idea or already developing a project, the Cybersecurity Advocacy Fund is here to support your work. Join us in closing the gap between cybersecurity threats and public awareness.
Pitch your project to us at advocacyfund@surfshark.com.
