Find contracts in technology and research and development with the Ministry of Defence
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-08)

A list of places to find Defence contracts and funding in the technology and innovative research and development (R&D) space.

Every year the Ministry of Defence (MOD) works with companies and researchers to develop next-generation innovation, technology and digital solutions to support our frontline troops. You can find some of the places we advertise those opportunities on this page. This is not an exhaustive list.

Opportunities outside the technology and innovation space can be found at Procurement at MOD (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence/about/procurement).

To get notified every time this page gets updated sign up for email updates (https://www.gov.uk/email/subscriptions/single-page/new?topic_id=find-contracts-in-technology-and-research-and-development-with-the-ministry-of-defence).

To give feedback on this page, please contact the Commercial X (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ministry-of-defence-commercial-commercial-x) team at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Guidance for new suppliers

A common way for suppliers to bid for contracts is via online platforms known as frameworks. These are usually set up to help government buy a specific type of product or service, and have standard terms and processes which make it easier to contract with us. Once you are on a framework you can apply for any advertised opportunities until the framework ends.

Some frameworks are ‘open’, which means they can be joined at any time, while others are only open during certain periods. There also dynamic markets which are similar to frameworks and are always open to join.

Current opportunities

GOV.UK

Ministry of Defence

Crown Commercial Service

Funding to prototype an idea or carry out research

Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA)

DASA finds and funds exploitable innovation for a safer future.

Innovation partners

DASA innovation partners support those with innovative ideas or products that could be of use in Defence to get funding, find contracts, write business cases and get introductions to sponsors.

Contact your local innovation partner (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-a-dasa-innovation-partner#advice-and-guidance---contact-your-local-innovation-partner)

Open call for innovation

Submit an innovative idea to improve the defence and security of the UK

Your idea could be a concept, product or service, at various levels of maturity.

No funding limit but generally up to £250,000

Submit your idea (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-and-security-accelerator-dasa-open-call-for-innovation/open-call-competition-document)

Themed competitions

Submit a proposal around a specific area of government interest

View current themed competitions (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/apply-for-funding#themed-competitions)

Defence Innovation Loans

Get a loan as an SME to develop a mature innovative defence solution into a strong business proposition

Loans of up to £1 million

Open for proposals all year round

View details of defence innovation loans (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/competition-defence-innovation-loans)

Supplier networks and collaboration spaces

Ministry of Defence

Future Capability Innovation team:

Future Capability Innovation (https://des.mod.uk/what-we-do/army-procurement-support/future-capability-group/) are sponsors of Futures Lab, a place where academia and industry come together to solve complex MOD challenges.

There is an intro session (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/futures-lab-new-joiners-briefing-registration-296667810407) every Monday for new joiners. Find out more and register to join (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/futures-lab-new-joiners-briefing-registration-296667810407).

Defence Battle Lab:

Battle Lab (https://defencebattlelab.com/) is an online community and physical co-working space in Dorset for business and academia to come together to innovate for Defence.

Battle labs can be used to make, test, and trial solutions in collaboration with Defence. Battle labs can also be used to book desks and access meeting rooms.

Apply to join on the Battle Lab website. (https://defencebattlelab.com/pages/contact)

Home Office

Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE):

ACE helps government and the police tackle safety and security challenges arising from our growing use of technology.

ACE brings hundreds of suppliers and academics together to solve these challenges. It is open to new joiners and is run by QinetiQ.

Apply to join on their website (https://www.qinetiq.com/en/our-company/suppliers-and-smes/frameworks/vivace#:~:text=Apply%20to%20join,-Everyone%20has%20the&text=Once%20your%20application%20has%20been,during%20the%20on-boarding%20process.)

Hellios
- Hellios is a third party organisation.
- Their SME portal helps to connect small and medium sized businesses with other corporations in the defence, aerospace and security sectors who are looking to partner or sub-contract work.
- It’s free to join.
- The registration process is quick and only requires minimal company information.
- Register for the SME portal on Hellios’ website (https://hellios.com/sme-portal)
Further information

Accessing PhD research funding from the Ministry of Defence (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/phd-research-funding-from-dstl)

Defence and Security Innovation Signposting document (https://www.techuk.org/resource/innovation-signpost-a-guide-to-five-government-defence-and-security-innovation-organisations.html) with details of 5 organisations that also commission innovative technologies in defence, including details of the technology readiness levels (TRLs) they support.