Context · UKDI · UK
UK Defence Innovation: live funding opportunities (Security Open Call 2026 Cycle 1, themed competitions)
UK Defence Innovation (incl. former DASA) · published 13 Aug 2026 · · Source ↗
Deadline27 Aug 2026 10 days left
Budget / value—
Statusopen
Consortiumnot required
Why it matters
UKDI is the main low-barrier UK entry point for single-company defence innovation funding, and the Defence-side route is being rebuilt after the Defence Investment Plan — meaning the Security Open Call is currently the only broad open door. Relevant to autonomy, space, sensing and security-tech scale-ups and SMEs able to bid alone without a consortium.
Do this: Submit to the Security Open Call 2026 Cycle 1 by 27 August 2026 or Innovation Support to Operations Cycle 8 by 22 September 2026 via the UKDI portal, and email accelerator@dstl.gov.uk for scope clarification; contact the UKDI Help Centre about Defence Innovation Loans while cycles are paused.
Route: grant application · For: BD / bid leads at defence-tech scale-upsEstablished SME suppliers & subsystem makersBid & funding consultancies
Summary
UK Defence Innovation (incorporating former DASA) lists its currently open competitions: Security Open Call 2026 Cycle 1 (closes 27 August 2026), themed competitions Novel Autonomy and Robotics (closed 11 August 2026) and Innovation Support to Operations Cycle 8 (22 September 2026), plus an invite-only Stage 2 'Space to Innovate: Delta Drop' (1 September 2026). Defence Innovation Loans cycles are paused pending a redesigned service, and a Defence-focused submission route is being developed following the Defence Investment Plan. A Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP) is in the pipeline with launch date TBC.
Eligibility
Open to innovators bidding to UK Defence Innovation competitions; Stage 2 themed competitions only for formally invited applicants.
Source text (raw, may be non-English)
To accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge innovative capabilities so that the United Kingdom is both secure at home and strong abroad. Open Call for Innovation The Open Call for Innovation looks for disruptive ideas that might otherwise be overlooked. If your innovation could make a difference, we want to hear about it. We run several competitions throughout the year, giving you regular opportunities to get involved. Please see below for the open opportunities. Closing date Competition 27 August 2026 Security Open Call 2026 Cycle 1 Innovating for Defence We’re developing a new way to receive and assess innovative ideas for Defence, following the publication of the Defence Investment Plan. This will help us better connect innovative solutions with Defence needs and support our Military Commands. We’ll share more details on how to submit Defence-focused innovations as this work progresses. In the meantime, if your idea fits one of the focus areas in the current Security Open Call, please review the competition document and consider applying. Keep an eye on our website and communications channels for updates on future Defence opportunities. You can view previous Open Call Cycles here. Themed Competitions Themed Competitions focus on specific areas of interest to government. They give you the chance to submit proposals that address a defined challenge or priority. These competitions often run for a limited time, so keep an eye on closing dates. View previous Themed Competitions here. Themed Competitions open now Closing date Competition 11 August 2026 Novel Autonomy and Robotics 22 September 2026 Innovation Support to Operations Cycle 8 Open Stage 2 Themed Competitions These themed competitions are open only to applicants who have been formally invited to submit a Stage 2 proposal. Closing date Competition 01 September 2026 Space to Innovate: Delta Drop - GOV.UK Defence Innovation Loans The Defence Innovation Loans cycles are currently paused while we work on a new, improved service. The loan programme is a key resource for funding later-stage research and development (R&D) and commercialisation of mature defence innovations. If you are a high-growth, active innovation business and would like to learn more about the programme while the cycles are closed, please contact the UKDI Help Centre who can provide further detail and introduce you to our Business Growth specialists where appropriate. View previous Defence Innovation Loans cycles here. Market Exploration Market explorations help us understand what solutions already exist, what’s in development, and where further investment might be needed. We gather information on current market capability in a specific area – this helps us stimulate the market and shape future activity. Please note that these requests for information do not commit us to launching a formal UKDI competition. View previous Market Explorations here. Competitions in our pipeline We’re always exploring new areas where innovation could make a real difference to defence and security. Below are some of the challenges we’re currently scoping. If one catches your eye, be sure to keep an eye on our website. Be the first to hear about new competitions, upcoming events and other UKDI news: join the UKDI Mailing List Expected Launch Overarching Challenge TBC The Defence Technology Exploitation Programme ( DTEP ) UKDI Funding We publish details of our funding decisions to keep our process open and transparent. View UKDI funding here . If you have any queries or questions please email: accelerator@dstl.gov.uk
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Context
UKDI
· UK
It shows UKDI's Security Open Call as a 100%-funded, non-dilutive entry route that led to a first commercial contract and prime introductions for a software SME. Relevant to computer-vision, C-UAS and autonomy software startups looking for a UK public-sector reference customer. Do: If you build edge AI, C-UAS or autonomy software, watch for the next UKDI Security Open Call cycle on gov.uk and frame your proposal around a named end-user problem (policing, Dstl, Royal Navy) as Vizgard did.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/live-funding-opportunities — summarised by Rearm Radar; verify details at source before bidding. Enrichment: anthropic/claude-opus-5 (confidence 80%).