How to work with UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) — guidance page

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.
Not sure where to start?
Contact a UKDI Advisor
for free, confidential advice.
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
If you need help writing a  strong proposal for UKDI funding opportunities, you can view our
guide here
.
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.
Get in touch here
The Ideas Marketplace
The
Ideas Marketplace
is the platform to share ideas and collaborate with innovators, government experts and end users.
UKDI adviser
UKDI has a team of Innovation Partners who can provide you with advice and guidance on open UKDI services. To get in touch with an Innovation Partner, submit an Innovation Outline for the competition you are interested in.
Innovation Partners are civil servants employed by the UK Government. They will:
discuss a specific competition with you
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.
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.
Guidance for international innovators
UKDI’s Innovation Partners provide dedicated guidance to innovators based in the UK to support UK innovation and strengthen the domestic defence and security industrial base.
Overseas innovators may still be eligible to apply for selected calls and competitions. Eligibility criteria and application details will be clearly outlined within the guidance for each individual opportunity. All relevant information for overseas applicants will be made available on our UKDI website.
Find external opportunities
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.
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 Clu