Funding call · UKDI · UK
Space to Innovate: Delta Drop — UKDI/UKSA/Dstl competition (£985k)
UK Defence Innovation (incl. former DASA) · published 17 Jul 2026 · · Source ↗
Deadline01 Sep 2026 15 days left
Budget / value€1.2m
£985k converted at ~1.17 EUR/GBP; total pot across projects
Statusopen
TRL3–6
Consortiumnot required
Why it matters
Recurring UKDI/UKSA/Dstl space innovation vehicle with a small but accessible pot, suited to space start-ups and SMEs in ISR, SSA and satellite subsystems; Stage 1 has already closed, so only invited bidders can still act this round.
Do this: If invited to Stage 2, submit via the UKDI Online Submission Service before 12:00 BST on 1 September 2026; otherwise register an account now and watch for the next Space to Innovate drop.
Route: grant application · For: BD / bid leads at defence-tech scale-upsEstablished SME suppliers & subsystem makers
Summary
UK Defence Innovation, on behalf of the UK Space Agency and Dstl, is running the 'Delta Drop' of the Space to Innovate campaign, seeking innovative space technologies for multiple HMG uses. Total funding is £985k, with projects expected to reach TRL 3-6, last up to 18 months and start late November/early December 2026. A two-stage process applies: Stage 1 closed 28 July 2026, with invited Stage 2 proposals due 12:00 on 1 September 2026 via the UKDI Online Submission Service.
Eligibility
Stage 2 by invitation only after Stage 1 sift; UKDI competition, proposals via UKDI Online Submission Service
Source text (raw, may be non-English)
The UK Space Agency (UKSA) and Dstl are seeking proposals that can aid UK government to develop future space technologies of benefit across multiple HMG uses. This UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) competition is run on behalf of the UK Space Agency (UKSA) and Dstl. We are looking for innovative solutions that can address the challenge areas described in the document. In this competition we will be running a two-stage process. UKDI has introduced this 2-stage submission process to help innovators understand early on, and with reduced effort, if their idea is appropriate for the competition and to make the review and decision making process more efficient. Competition key information Key Information Competition Details Stage 1 submission deadline 12:00 Midday on 28 July 2026 (BST) Stage 1 decision release 12:00 Midday 04 August 2026 (BST) Stage 2 open (by invitation) 12:00 Midday 04 August 2026 (BST) Stage 2 submission deadline 12:00 Midday on 01 September 2026 (BST) Total funding available £985k. Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Expected to achieve TRL 3 to TRL 6. Contract start month Aim to start late November or early December Project duration Equal to or less than 18 months. Risk Assessment Reference RAR-TUVW7RN Feedback release date 04 November 2026 Pre-sift criteria See Section “Pre-sift Criteria” Where do I submit my proposal? Both Stage 1 and Stage 2 forms are to be submitted via the UKDI Online Submission Service where you will need to register for an account. Only proposals submitted through the UKDI Online Submission Service will be accepted. Innovators are strongly advised to submit their proposal at least one hour before the deadline. Proposals submitted close to the deadline risk encountering issues that cannot be resolved in time. Launch webinar On 8 July 2026 UKDI hosted a launch webinar to provide further detail on the problem space and a chance to ask questions in an open forum. Space to Innovate: Delta Drop - Webinar
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Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/space-to-innovate-delta-drop — summarised by Rearm Radar; verify details at source before bidding. Enrichment: anthropic/claude-opus-5 (confidence 85%).