About us
The Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) funds innovative research that could lead to a cost-effective capability advantage for UK armed forces and national security.
We seek applications for funding from small companies, academia and anyone with an innovative idea that has a potential defence application. Our investments in science and technology research are high risk, high potential benefit.
CDE is part of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and funds only novel research.
If your proposal is a product, you should speak to the Defence Suppliers’ Service, or see other ways of how to sell to Dstl.
Who we are
We have 11 members of staff based at Harwell campus in South Oxfordshire.
CDE is aligned with Innovate UK’s Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), but we have our own submission and assessment portal and processes, and terms and conditions.
Our responsibilities
We’re responsible for:
- funding proof-of-concept research that offers a high potential benefit to defence and security
- opening up defence and security challenges to the widest possible audience of providers, including those new to defence and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- helping to take CDE-funded projects to market
Our priorities
Our priorities for 2015 to 2016 are to:
- extend our reach to new SMEs with innovative ideas
- hold regular themed competitions to address specific defence and security challenges
- promote the monthly enduring competition to address the most important problems in defence
- improve routes to commercialisation, following initial CDE proof-of-concept funding
- introduce a new, improved online portal for proposal submission