Universities have been invited to apply for grants to run two new dedicated Centres for Doctoral Training that will train postgraduates to maintain the UK's security in the face of growing cyber threats.

The centres will enhance the nation's academic capability across all aspects of the field and are part of the response to the Government's National Cyber Security Programme, which aims to create a stable, secure and open cyber environment in which the UK's interests and businesses can operate and be preserved.

The call for bids has been made by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Government's communications headquarters, GCHQ, and the Office of Cyber Security and Information Assurance (OCSIA).

David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Skills said in a statement issued by the EPSRC: "If the UK is to achieve its growth ambitions and maintain its reputation for world-class capability in cyber security, it is vital that we look to discover, develop and nurture the UK's next generation of doctoral-level cyber security experts. The Centres for Doctoral Training are a key component of achieving the skills blend the UK needs and I would like to encourage novel responses to the call that reflect well on the innovation of the discipline as a whole."

To ensure the key issues are covered adequately by the CDTs in combination, the EPSRC has called for proposals for the centres to focus all or most of their effort on one of two research 'domains'.

Minister for Cyber Security Francis Maude said: "In the National Cyber Security Strategy, the Government emphasised the importance of expanding the UK's cyber skills base to take advantage of the opportunities cyber space presents and protect our interests where required. Academia has a vital role to play in fostering our future cyber security talent and we have therefore committed significant investment to deliver the first two Centres of Doctoral Training in Cyber Security. We believe these centres will make an important contribution to further enhancing our world-class cyber security academic and research community here in the UK."

David Delpy, EPSRC's Chief Executive said: "The centres will be required to address the broad range of issues involved in cyber security, from the technical to sociological. They will have to call on a wide range of expertise and deliver the multidisciplinary training we need to underpin the work of the UK's next generation cyber security experts."

Funding for the CDTs could reach £8 million over seven years and will come from a variety of sources, including the National Cyber Security Programme. The EPSRC will oversee the management of the centres.