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Source: gov.uk (2025-12-09)

At DASA, we find and fund exploitable innovation to support UK defence and security quickly and effectively, and support UK prosperity.

Open Call for Innovation

The Open Call for Innovation allows innovative ideas to be proposed to Defence and Security stakeholders, even where a specific requirement has not been stipulated. It is a broad mechanism which allows innovators to present disruptive ideas which may otherwise be overlooked.

The Open Call for Innovation consists of a number of competitions, including Innovation Focus Areas (IFAs), which run in cycles throughout the Calendar Year (CY). Further details of the cycles alongside the general requirements the Open Call are contained within the ‘Overarching Competition Document’ of the current cycle below.

As work continues towards UKDI Full Operating Capability the Open Call for Innovation will be closed from the end of Cycle 4, which has been extended to 13 January 2026. The new service will reopen prior to UKDI Full Operating Capability in July 2026.

Please keep an eye on our website and join our mailing list here (https://cloud.dasa.mod.gov.uk/1383) to receive updates as soon as they become available.

Open Call for Innovation Planned Cycle Dates

A full list of the planned cycle dates, can be viewed here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/competition-defence-and-security-accelerator-dasa-open-call-for-innovation-cy2025-cycle-4/overarching-competition-document-open-call-for-innovation-cy2025-cycle-4#schedule).

Open Call for Innovation Competitions currently open for application

For previous Open Call for Innovation cycles please see here (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/defence-and-security-accelerator-dasa-open-call-for-innovation).

For past Innovation Focus Areas please see here (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/defence-and-security-accelerator-dasa-innovation-focus-areas).

Themed Competitions

Themed Competitions exist to offer suppliers the opportunity to submit proposals around specific government areas of interest. Themed competitions may only run for a short time and have set closing dates.

DASA has had various themed competitions covering a range of topics. For details on past competitions, please see here. (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/defence-and-security-accelerator-funding-competitions)

Themed Competitions currently open for application

Defence Innovation Loans

Innovation Loans are an opportunity for UK-registered single small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with solutions to defence themed problems to apply for a Defence Innovation Loan to help develop and convert their mature innovation into a viable business proposition.

Defence Innovation Loans run in cycles throughout the year. For the current cycle closing date please see below, also for a full list of the planned cycle dates, please click here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/competition-defence-innovation-loans-fy2526-cycle-6/competition-document-defence-innovation-loan-fy2526-cycle-6#schedule).

Initial outcomes will be communicated within seven weeks of the closing date of each cycle, not including public holidays and weekends. More information on the competition and its assessment can be found in the competition document linked below.

Defence Innovation Loans competition currently open for application

For previous Defence Innovation Loans cycles please see here. (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/defence-innovation-loans-past-cycles)

Market Exploration

Market explorations enable us to determine solutions that already exist, novel solutions in development and areas that potentially require further investment. We do this by collecting information to better understand the current market capability in a specific area in order to stimulate the market and shape the focus of any follow-on activity.

Please note that these requests for information do not form a commitment to subsequently launch a formal DASA competition.

Please see examples of recent Market Explorations we have carried out here. (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/market-exploration)

There are currently no Market Explorations open for submission.

Competitions in our pipeline

Please note that this is not confirmation that these will launch. This is a list (not extensive) of potential upcoming challenge areas.

Be the first to hear about new competitions, upcoming events and other DASA news: join the DASA Mailing List (https://cloud.dasa.mod.gov.uk/1383)

DASA has a team of Innovation Partners that can provide you with support in working with DASA, please see how to Get in touch with DASA (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-a-dasa-innovation-partner)

If you have any queries or questions please email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)