How to work with UK Defence Innovation (UKDI)

Working with UKDI

UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) funds and supports innovative ideas that could improve the UK’s defence and security.

Whether you have an idea to develop, want to apply for funding, or need advice before you get started, this page will help you find the right route in.

Our work is demand-led and we publish opportunities as they arise. Check the UKDI website regularly — or get in touch if you think you can help address our challenges.

Quick Links - find your route:

• Got an idea? View live funding opportunities to see open competitions and upcoming launches.
• Looking to sell products to defence? Read the procurement guide first.
• Want to stay informed? Sign up to the UKDI mailing list.

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Guidance for writing a proposal

• If you need help writing a strong proposal for UKDI funding opportunities, you can view our guide here.

• For general advice on working with UKDI, including frequently asked questions, please see the advice page here.

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Procurement guide

This is explains how you can sell into Defence. The procurement guide sets out what you need to know about becoming a supplier or contractor.

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Live funding opportunities

UKDI runs competitions to find and fund innovative ideas that could improve the UK’s defence and security.

Competitions are open to businesses of all sizes, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and companies who have not worked with defence before. You do not need to be an established defence supplier to apply.

There are different types of competition depending on the nature of your idea and how developed it is:

• Open Call for Innovation — for disruptive ideas at any stage, even if no specific requirement has been set
• Themed Competitions — focused on a defined challenge or area of interest to government
• Defence Innovation Loans — funding for later-stage research and development and commercialisation

Competitions run throughout the year. You can view all competitions currently open, upcoming opportunities, and guidance on how to apply on our funding page.

View live funding opportunities

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Futures Lab

Futures Lab, powered by Engineering Delivery Partner (EDP), is a service dedicated to utilising the knowledge and experience of industry and academia to provide constructive challenge and impartial decision support to respond to the ever-changing, complex-threat defence environment.

As part of UKDI, Futures Lab works closely with MOD clients to shape and cohere defence innovation challenges. These Innovation Challenges are answered by agile and collaborative teams formed of Futures Lab’s evolving network of providers.

Get in touch here

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The Ideas Marketplace

The Ideas Marketplace is the platform to share ideas and collaborate with innovators, government experts and end users.

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Contact a UKDI Innovation Partner

UKDI has a team of Innovation Partners who can provide you with advice and guidance on open UKDI services.

Innovation Partners are civil servants employed by the UK Government. They will:

• explain how you may be able to work with UKDI
• discuss a specific competition with you
• help you to understand how your innovation may be relevant to Defence and Security
• signpost you to opportunities
• guide you through the submission process for UKDI’s various opportunities
• signpost to a service that provides support for neurodivergent applicants

Your Intellectual Property is protected when you speak to an Innovation Partner.

To get in touch:

1. Register for an account on the UKDI submission service
2. Sign in to your supplier dashboard and select “Contact UKDI Innovation Partner” under guidance
3. An Innovation Partner will contact you within 15 working days

UKDI works with organisations of all sizes and backgrounds. You do not need previous experience of working with defence.

If you require support with submitting a proposal, please see our guidance documents.

Guidance for international innovators

Before contacting a UKDIUKDI, Innovationplease Partnerreview the information below.

UKDI Innovationsupports Partners support innovators who help strengthen the UK’s defence and security innovation base. This includes UK businesses, SMEs, start-ups, sole traders, academic institutions and research organisations undertaking innovation activities in the UK.

Most UKDI competitions are intended for organisations that undertake project activity in the UK.

Eligibility requirements are detailed within the relevant competition documentation.

Am I eligible?

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• A UK businesses,business, SMEs,SME, start-ups,start-up, sole traders,trader, universitiesuniversity andor research organisationsorganisation basedundertaking project work in the UK are encouraged to engage with UKDI.UK.
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Examples may include:

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• UK premises or facilities.
• UK R&D, manufacturing, testing or project delivery activities.

What if I plan to establish UK operations in the future?

Organisations with no current UK operational activity and no intention to undertake project work in the UK are unlikely to be eligible for most UKDI opportunities.

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Find external opportunities

• The Defence Office for Small Business Growth (DOSBG) has been established to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access the defence supply chain and scale up to meet defence challenges.

• Monitor the Defence Sourcing Portal and Contracts Finder for live notices, competitions, and procurement opportunities across defence and wider government.

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Connect with the UK defence and security community

Joining a defence and security trade body can help you build connections, understand the market, and find opportunities. UKDI works with associated trade bodies:

• TechUK — represents the technology sector
• Make UK Defence — supports manufacturers working in or entering defence
• ADS Group — represents aerospace, defence, security, and space industries

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Regional Defence and Security Clusters (RDSCs)

RDSCs are regional networks that support one another to find new commercial and government markets through each others’ supply chains, provide education on supplying Defence & Security and give innovative companies a voice in helping shape UKDI activities and competitions. Find your local RDSC and sign up.

• East Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster
• East Regional Defence & Security Cluster
• Greater Lincolnshire Defence and Security Cluster
• London Regional Defence and Security Cluster
• North East Regional Defence and Security Cluster
• North West Regional Defence and Security Cluster
• Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Chilterns Regional Defence and Security Cluster
• South Central Regional Defence and Security Cluster
• South West Regional Defence and Security Cluster
• Wales Regional Defence and Security Cluster
• Western Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster
• Western Regional Defence & Security Cluster
• Yorkshire Regional Defence and Security Cluster

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UKDI Mailing List 

Sign up to the UKDI Mailing List to receive updates on new competitions, events, and news.

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For any other enquiries

Our UKDI Help Centre can offer support on urgent technical enquiries, submission service support, press enquiries and freedom of information requests. For specific questions about the suitability of your ideas to UKDI competitions, register with us to speak with an Innovation Partner.

Email the UKDI Help Centre: accelerator@dstl.gov.uk 

Phone: 01980 950000 option 3 (open 9am – midday, Monday-Friday)