Defence Science and Technology Laboratory: Framework Document
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-12)

Document setting out the relationship between Dstl (an executive agency) and its sponsor department, the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

This document has been drawn up by the MOD in consultation with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), and sets out the framework within which Dstl operates.

It sets out Dstl’s status, overall principles of governance and details of central governance roles. It also includes:
- further details of governance and accountabilities
- commissioning
- functional leadership
- policies and specific responsibilities applicable to Dstl
- a summary of existing policy exemptions, management of Dstl staff
- an overview of the Defence, Technology and Innovation Board (DTIB)
- where to find Dstl’s corporate documents such as the corporate plan and annual report and accounts
This document does not convey any legal powers or responsibilities, and is regularly reviewed.

Note regarding March 2025 update

Although a full update to the MOD-Dstl Framework Document would normally be due at this time (the Framework Document was last updated in July 2021), we will not undertake a full update until the outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Reform have been confirmed. However, to ensure accuracy and transparency, we have updated any facts and noted below.

Introduction and Purpose
- Change: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dstl-corporate-plan
- Reason: Update URL for Corporate Plan.
Central Governance Roles and A-1: Ministerial Responsibility
- Change: “Minister for Defence Procurement” changed to “Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry”.
- Reason: Changed to reflect the Minister’s full title.
A-3: The Sponsor
- Change: Added “between Dstl and the rest of the Ministry of Defence”.
- Reason: Clarifies that Dstl is part of MOD, not a separate body.
A-3: The Sponsor and D-5: Internal and External Audit, Assurance and Risk Management
- Change: Added “Ensuring authority is delegated from the Principal Accounting Officer” and changed “Chief Operating Officer” to “Permanent Under-Secretary”.
- Reason: To reflect that authority is delegated from the Principal Accounting Officer not the Sponsor.
A-3: The Sponsor and D-2: Parliamentary and ministerial business
- Change: References to “Sponsorship and Organisational Policy directorate” and “DSOP” changed to “Public Bodies and Appointments team”.
- Reason: The Sponsorship and Organisational Policy directorate has been absorbed into another MOD directorate. Changed to reflect current sponsor team.
A-6: Dstl Board
- Change: Added “Contribute to the wider Line 3 assurance of Dstl S&T capability health, through delivery of the NEM-chaired External Review College;”
- Reason: Correction made to ensure Board’s role is accurately captured.
A-9: Reporting performance to the Ministry of Defence
- Change: Deleted parts of section “A-9: Reporting performance to the Ministry of Defence” to remove references to performance and risk reviews.
- Reason: Decision made by MOD COO to replace performance and risk reviews (for all ALBs within portfolio) with Senior Sponsor attendance at Dstl Board twice per year.
Annex B: Commissioning
- Change: Added CSA to “Senior Responsible Owners for the programmes that sit within the CSA S&T Portfolio.”
- Reason: Clarifies that this sentence only relates to programmes that sit within the CSA S&T Portfolio.
Annex C: Functional Leadership
- Change: Removed the list of functions.
- Reason: Updated to ensure accuracy.
S&T Portfolio Framework
- Change: Section on S&T Portfolio Framework updated.
- Reason: Provides more clarity on the Dstl and DST relationship.
D-3: Ministry of Defence corporate shared services
- Change: Removed insurance.
- Reason: Dstl uses MOD’s broker.
D-5: Internal and External Audit, Assurance and Risk Management
- Change: Changed “DIA” to “GIAA”. Changed “Defence, Audit, Risk and Assurance (DARA) organisation” to “Defence Risk and Assurance”.
- Reason: Updated names of teams/organisations. DIA (Defence Internal Audit) merged into GIAA (Government Internal Audit Agency).
D-9: Compliance with Government-wide corporate guidance and instructions
- Change: Updated list of guidance documents.
- Reason: Updated list of general guidance documents to reflect current guidance.
Annex E: Summary of existing policy exemptions
- Change: Removed “validating”.
- Reason: Drafting error.
E-3: Infrastructure
- Change: Section on Infrastructure updated.
- Reason: Clarifies that Dstl has transitioned its Facilities Management to DIO.
Annex G: Overview of the Defence, Technology and Innovation Board (DTIB)
- Change: Section on the Defence Technology and Innovation Board updated.
- Reason: Clarifies the role of the Science, Technology and Innovation Group (STIG).