- UKDI has launched a brand new Themed Competition: Novel Autonomy and Robotics
- Funded by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)
- Over £1 million funding accessible throughout 2 levels
- Competition stage 1 closes noon 11 August 2026 (BST)
This UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) competitors is run on behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)’s Autonomy Programme Incubator venture. It seeks cutting-edge low-technology readiness level (TRL) science and expertise (S&T) concepts that could be matured to assist army use of autonomous systems throughout land, sea and air environments.
In this competitors we can be working a 2-stage course of to assist innovators perceive early on, and with decreased effort, if their concept is applicable for the competitors and to make the evaluation and decision-making course of extra environment friendly. Successful candidates of stage 1 can be invited to proceed with stage 2 of the competitors. Head to the competition document to learn more about this new 2 stage process.
Stage 1 Competition particulars
Stage 1 of this competitors is thinking about early-stage science and expertise concepts. It goals to check new concepts and reveal potential fairly than maturing or creating a working system or idea.
Proposals ought to embrace:
- Novel S&T – utterly new science or approaches. This additionally contains S&T identified in different sectors however not utilized in defence.
- Research that’s probably speculative, unsure, or excessive threat – nonetheless it will need to have a foundation in scientific principle.
- Low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) concepts – we’re in search of to speed up low TRL (1-2) analysis.
- Ideas that will radically alter how we do issues sooner or later, give rise to a brand new sort of functionality or a brand new sort menace (that we might have to counter).
Learn more and submit a proposal in the competition document.
Key dates and funding
Over £1 million in funding accessible throughout 2 levels. Project stage 1 gives £600,000 (excluding VAT). Maximum proposal worth is £60,000. Estimated funding for Project stage 2 is £600,000
The deadline to submit a proposal for stage is noon 11 August 2026 (BST)
Do you have an innovation? Read the full competition document and submit a proposal.
Supporting occasions
Launch webinar: 20 July 2026 2pm to three:30pm (BST)
This launch webinar will present additional element on the issue house and an opportunity for attendees to ask questions in an open discussion board. If you want to take part, please register on the Eventbrite page.
Submit a proposal
If you have got an early-stage, novel and disruptive concept that would profit the autonomation of defence systems, then we need to hear from you.