Funding call · UKDI · UK
UKDI/Dstl themed competition: Novel Autonomy and Robotics (multi-domain autonomous systems)
UK Defence Innovation (incl. former DASA) · published 14 Jul 2026 · · Source ↗
Deadline11 Aug 2026
Budget / value€1.2m
Over £1m across two stages (£600k per stage; max £60k per stage 1 proposal), converted at GBP≈1.17
Statusclosed
TRL1–2
Consortiumnot required
Why it matters
Dstl's Autonomy Programme Incubator continues to fund very low-TRL autonomy research through small £60k grants, a recurring entry point for UK research-heavy autonomy and robotics start-ups. Relevant to autonomy-stack, swarming and robotics teams with UK entities and a scientific research base.
Do this: Stage 1 has closed — track UKDI's competition page for the stage 2 invitation cycle and the next Dstl Autonomy Incubator themed competition.
Route: grant application · For: BD / bid leads at defence-tech scale-upsEstablished SME suppliers & subsystem makers
UK Defence Innovation, on behalf of Dstl's Autonomy Programme Incubator, sought early-stage (TRL 1-2) novel science and technology for military autonomous systems across land, sea and air. Over £1 million was available across two stages: £600,000 in stage 1 with a maximum proposa…
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Funding call
UKDI
· UK
· deadline 17 Sep 2026 (31d)
· €702k
Dstl is seeding low-TRL autonomy ideas with small, fast contracts and a signalled £600k Phase 2 follow-on, a low-barrier entry point into UK MOD autonomy work. Relevant to autonomy/robotics research teams and university-linked startups; note Stage 1 has already closed, so only invited applicants can now submit. Do: If invited at Stage 1, submit your Stage 2 proposal via the UKDI Online Submission Service before midday 17 September 2026; otherwise watch for the Phase 2 competition and the Dstl Autonomy Programme Incubator's next call.
Award
· Poland
· €17.5m
Continued build-out of Poland's main MALE UAV base (Mirosławiec) includes purpose-built hangars and hardened ground control station shelters, indicating sustained infrastructure spend around unmanned aviation. Relevant to construction subcontractors and to suppliers of GCS shelters, power/generator sets and airfield electrical/telecom systems in Poland. Do: Contact DUNA Polska S.A. and LOGON S.A. as subcontractor for hangar structures, shelter systems, MV/LV power and airfield telecom works at Mirosławiec.
Tender
· Sweden
· deadline 14 Sep 2026 (28d)
· €704k
Upphandlingen avser leda fram till ett ramavtal med en leverantör för att säkerställa effektiv och pålitlig tillgång till modern och framtidssäkrad UAS-förmåga. Behovet omfattar båda anskaffning av kompletterande enheter…
Award
· Spain
· €960k
De conformidad con el apartado 2 del CCP.
Award
· Portugal
· €4.5m
A mid-size civil/dual-use underwater robotics buy in an Atlantic region, won by a Spanish integrator rather than a Portuguese or northern-European ROV house — a reference point for UUV/ROV makers on who is winning Iberian research-vessel work. Relevant to ROV/UUV builders and subsea sensor, tether, manipulator and control-software suppliers. Do: If you supply subsea sensors, manipulators, tethers or ROV control software, approach OMIL & GONZALEZ SL as integrator for the Azores research-vessel ROV module build.
Context
UKDI
· UK
· deadline 27 Aug 2026 (10d)
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: 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.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-and-novel-call-for-multi-domain-autonomous-systems — summarised by Rearm Radar; verify details at source before bidding. Enrichment: anthropic/claude-opus-5 (confidence 85%).