How to work with UK Defence Innovation (UKDI)
UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) is the front door for companies and individuals who want to innovate with defence and security. If you have an innovative idea to address our challenges, here’s how to get involved.
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.
Guidance for writing a proposal
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If you need help writing a strong proposal for UKDI funding opportunities, you can view our guide here.
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For general advice on working with UKDI, including frequently asked questions, please see the advice page here.
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.
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
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.
The Ideas Marketplace
The Ideas Marketplace is the platform to share ideas and collaborate with innovators, government experts and end users.
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:
- Register for an account on the UKDI submission service
- Sign in to your supplier dashboard and select “Contact UKDI Innovation Partner” under guidance
- 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.
International organisations: eligibility and engagement with UKDI
While UKDI’s primary focus is supporting UK defence and security innovation, we do welcome innovative organisations from around the world. We work with organisations of all sizes and backgrounds, and you do not need previous experience of working with defence to engage with us.
Most competitions require funded project activity to take place in the UK and to deliver clear benefits to UK defence, security or wider UK prosperity.
Before contacting UKDI, we recommend reading the competition guidance carefully, as eligibility requirements can vary between opportunities.
Am I eligible?
You are likely to be eligible if you are:
- A UK business, SME, start-up, sole trader, university or research organisation undertaking project work in the UK.
- A UK subsidiary of an international organisation that will carry out the funded project in the UK.
- An international organisation where the competition explicitly permits international participation.
Common questions
Can an overseas company participate?
In many competitions, overseas organisations may participate as subcontractors, consortium members or technology partners, provided project activity takes place in the UK.
I live outside the UK. Can I apply?
Your nationality or country of residence does not automatically determine eligibility. Eligibility is usually based on the organisation applying and where the project work will be undertaken.
Do I need a UK company?
For most competitions, applicants should have genuine UK operational capability in place before submitting to a competition.
What is meant by UK operational capability?
Successful projects are generally expected to contribute to a meaningful UK capability, presence or economic benefit.
Examples could include:
- carrying out research and development, testing or manufacturing activities in the UK
- creating or safeguarding skilled UK jobs
- establishing a long-term operational, research or commercial presence in the UK
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.
If your organisation is actively establishing UK operations, you may still be eligible for some opportunities, depending on the competition requirements and the stage of your planned UK presence. You should clearly explain your plans within your application.
Find external opportunities
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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.
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Monitor the Defence Sourcing Portal and Contracts Finder for live notices, competitions, and procurement opportunities across defence and wider government.
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
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
UKDI Mailing List
Sign up to the UKDI Mailing List to receive updates on new competitions, events, and news.
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)