扒哥吃瓜

About UKDI听

We are UK听Defence Innovation (UKDI). Our aim is to ensure that the听United Kingdom is both secure at home and strong abroad.听We work towards this by inviting submissions of听cutting-edge听innovations to solve complex defence and security challenges.听听

What we do	What we听don鈥檛听do
We offer support and advice to UK businesses听via our听Regional Engagement听Team,听more information can be found on our how to work with UKDI page.	We currently听don鈥檛听offer advice to international applicants. Learn more below in the guidance for international innovators section
We provide funding to nurture innovations from idea to commercialisation. Check out our current live funding opportunities.	We听don鈥檛听buy听mature听products听or services听that suppliers want to sell to defence/security. If this is something you are interested in
We are interested in ideas from听anyone that can meet a defence and security need.	We听can鈥檛听work with organisations that听aren鈥檛听registered on听Companies听House.

A UKDI Account听

The only way to communicate with UKDI is听through听our听鈥榮ubmission service鈥�. If you would like to work with UKDI it is imperative that you register for an account if you do not already have one.听听

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Guidance for international innovators听

From 17 July 2026 UKDI will cease provision of Innovation Partner听(IP)听support to innovators based outside of the UK. This change reflects听UKDI鈥檚听focus on supporting UK innovation to strengthen the domestic defence and security industrial base.听

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.听

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Innovation Outlines听

If you are unsure whether your innovation听is in scope听for one of our funding services,听you may be able to听submit听an听Innovation Outline听(IO). The Open Call accepts these, as do some Themed Competitions. An听IO听is a summary of your intended submission, and you should receive a simple 鈥測es/no鈥� response.听听If you get a positive response, it may trigger a conversation with a member of our Regional Engagement Team.听

For Open Calls,听identifying听potential users听to offer a view on an IO听can take time. For Themed Competitions, turnaround is usually quicker听as they have听a defined sponsor.听IOs听must be听submitted听via the听,听not directly to your Innovation Partner.听

By听submitting听an enquiry via our submission service, you may be able to听discuss your idea with your听IP听before听submitting听either an听IO听or a full听proposal.听If you听submit听an enquiry, make sure you cover:听

• What is your innovation, what does it do, and how does it work?听

• Who is it for (which Defence听and/or Security users)?听

• What problem does it solve?听

• Why is it innovative (i.e. not听been听done before)?听

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Full Proposals听

Below听is a听list of considerations for innovators to support the formation of a strong proposal. It is designed to supplement any advice offered by members of the Regional Engagement Team.听These are general advice points and the specific requirement of the competition that you are submitting to should take priority.

Competition Requirements & Eligibility

• Submission deadline: All submissions close at 12:00 midday GMT/BST on the stated deadline of the specific competition. Please submit your proposal in plenty of time (preferably before the last day at latest). Late submissions cannot be accepted.
• Read the competition document carefully. Highlight all mandatory requirements and create a checklist before submitting.
• Pay close attention to required start/end technology readiness levels (TRLs), project duration, funding limits, and mandated activities (e.g. demonstrations or meetings). Almost all competitions require a demonstration and a final report.
• Read the competition document, application guidance, and any frequently asked questions (FAQs). These define scope and sponsor intent.
• Ensure you accept the terms and conditions for the competition.
• Identify start and end TRLs. For the Open Call, delivery at TRL 6/7 is mandated; higher TRLs will fail pre-sift. Themed competitions vary.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Common reasons for rejection (where the project is otherwise desirable) include:

• Insufficient technical detail or background
• Weak articulation of Defence/Security benefit
• Poor justification of requested resources, especially overheads

Completing the Application Form

• Complete the form using the provided text boxes only - do not use attachments for written answers. Provide sufficient detail; do not underuse available word limits.
• Word limits typically apply (usually 3000 words each for desirability, feasibility and viability; 1000 words for additional information). The additional section may not be read. Assessors only have 90 minutes in total to review each proposal, so the word limit is a cap, not a target. When pasting text from applications such as MS Word, avoid nonprinting characters - use plain text where possible.
• Formatting issues in downloaded PDFs are acceptable. There are no font or spacing rules. Use headings to improve readability.
• Keep your Title, Abstract and Proposition Value Statement clear and descriptive. Avoid acronyms where possible, where used explain them in full in the first instance.
• Select areas of specialism carefully to help assign appropriate Assessors.
• Address all assessment criteria (desirable, feasible, viable) clearly, ideally using subheadings aligned to the guidance.
• Briefly describe any engagement with your Innovation Partner, for example:
  • Discussed idea with Innovation Partner (name)
  • Innovation Outline response indicated interest in a full proposal

Scope, Benefit & Project Context

• Consider relevant legislation, for example human trials require MODREC approval, personal data gathering may fall under RIPA 2016.
• State where the majority of work will be carried out, including postcode if applicable.
• Many applicants find the desirability section hardest. Review public UKDI competition documents and past competitions for context.
• Letters of support are not required, but they may aid your proposal for an Open Call.
• Provide evidence of work completed to date and details of any previous relevant funding.
• Explain post project progression and how the work will move up the TRL scale.

Technical Approach & Delivery

• Ensure strong technical detail is written in plain English. Assume Assessors have at least degree level technical knowledge.
• Figures may be included (JPG/JPEG/PNG), referenced as Figure 1, 2, etc. Use sparingly and avoid transparent backgrounds.
• Include a clear project plan and Gantt chart (as an attachment). There is no mandated format.
• Explain how success will be measured, including testing plans for experimental work.
• Requests for Government Furnished Assets (GFA) must include a viable Plan B.

Team, Resources & Risk Management

• Describe your team clearly: names, roles, expertise, and (if possible) nationality. In finance sections, link people to costs. If hiring is required, address this in the risk section. Describe available equipment and facilities.
• Complete the formal risk section thoroughly, including staffing and recruitment risks.

Costs, Funding & Value for Money

• Justify all major equipment purchases and demonstrate value for money. Rental or test facilities may be preferable.
• If using subcontractors, fully justify their costs.
• Justify all requested funding. UKDI pays reasonable delivery costs only; it does not usually fund patents, conferences, publications, or postgraduate fees.
• If you鈥檙e requesting interim payments you should comply with the following UKDI terms and conditions:
  • Maximum six payment points
  • Each linked to a deliverable
  • No advance payments
  • Final payment must be at least 20% of total cost
• Ensure mandated deliverables (including the final report) appear correctly in the project plan and costing sections.
• Universities: justify overheads clearly. Use daily rates, break out staff, equipment usage and consumables where possible.

Final Checks & Submission

• Aim for clarity and conciseness. A proposal should take roughly one hour to read.
• Submit early. Late submissions are not accepted for any reason.
• After submission, changes are only possible by formally requesting a revert to draft via Help Centre, before the deadline and before 11:00am GMT/BST on closing day. Provide the proposal number (ACC#######).
• If unsuccessful, you will receive brief written feedback only. Assessors鈥� identities are not disclosed.
• Very rarely, applicants are invited to revise and resubmit; otherwise resubmission is not permitted.

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Frequently Asked Questions听

Below are some听frequently听asked questions about听UKDI听competitions.听This听guidance is generic and may differ for specific themed competitions.听Always read the听specific听requirements of the competition being applied for.听

Q:听I have a letter of support, where do I attach听it?听

A: Attach it in the听Desirability,听Feasibility, or听Viability听section, depending on what the letter supports.听Due to word limits, letters must be uploaded as an听image听(PNG or JPG only). The听maximum听file size is听2MB.听

Read the full听Assessment process and criteria - 扒哥吃瓜听to learn more.听听

Q: Why do costs need to be shown excluding VAT?听

A: Costs must be presented听ex鈥慥AT听for internal budgeting purposes. This does听not听mean VAT will not be paid.听If you are successful and contracted, you may invoice for the deliverable听plus VAT听(where applicable), shown as a separate line item.听

It is your responsibility to听determine听whether VAT applies to your organisation and at what rate.听

Q: Are there any costs you will not fund?听

A: Only costs that听directly relate听to delivering the project听may be included.听All costs must be supported by a听full cost breakdown听and justified as听value for money, as this forms part of the assessment.听

Q: Will university overheads exclude us from听submitting?听

A: No. UKDI is familiar with university cost models, and bids with significant overheads will still be assessed on technical merit.听

However, all costs must be听reasonable, explainable, and represent value for money, which is what Assessors will evaluate.听

See:听Allowable costs guidance (version 7.2) 鈥� 扒哥吃瓜听

Q: Will UKDI fund 100% Full Economic Cost (FEC) for UK universities? Are there ineligible costs?听

A: Yes. UKDI will fund听100% FEC, including indirect and overhead costs.听

Costs听not听directly related听to delivering the project are ineligible (e.g. conferences, IP protection, commercialisation).听Travel to attend UKDI/Dstl project meetings or demonstrations听is allowable听and should be included.听

Q: Is there a preference for collaborative or solo submissions?听

A: Either approach is听usually听acceptable听except where explicitly听stated听otherwise.听听

You should resource the project appropriately and explain this in the听Feasibility听and听Viability听sections.听

If your proposal is successful, the听contract will be with a single organisation听(the lead applicant).听

Q: Will you help me find a collaborating partner?听

A: UKDI cannot recommend specific partners. However, you may find collaborators via:听

• UKDI鈥檚听听(online collaboration platform)听

• Regional Defence and Security Clusters (RDSCs)听across the UK听

• Some competitions run a collaboration survey, check if yours does听in the competition document.听

Q: What is the difference between a subcontractor and a collaboration partner?听

A: Subcontractor:听A paid organisation or individual who is not the lead applicant.听

• Collaboration partner:听A broader term that includes subcontractors but may also refer to organisations providing听in鈥慿ind听support听(e.g. guidance, facilities, or resources at no cost).听

Q: Do we need security clearance to apply?听

A: No security clearance is听required听to听submit听a proposal.听

You must:听

• Keep submissions at听OFFICIAL听classification听

• Provide a resourcing plan (including staff nationalities, where possible)听

Before contract award, all proposed research workers must complete听Form 388听for due diligence.听This will be provided by听a UKDI team听member.听

Q: Where can I find the definition of TRLs?听

A: Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are defined in听UKDIs听Standard Terms and Conditions.听

Q: We听haven鈥檛听patented our invention yet鈥攈ow much detail do assessors need?听

A: Assessors must receive听sufficient technical detail听to fairly evaluate your proposal. Without this, the proposal cannot be assessed.听All听intellectual Property (IP)听remains听with the innovator. We recommend reviewing听Defence Condition (DEFCON)听705听and the competition terms and conditions.听

UKDI may share your proposal with third parties involved in assessment, under听appropriate confidentiality听agreements.听

Q: Are UKDI competitions only open to UK companies?听

A: Some competitions are听UK鈥憃nly, but听most are open internationally.听Check the requirements of specific competitions to be sure.听

Eligible applicants may include sole traders,听small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs), large companies, research organisations, and universities (UK and听non鈥慤K).听

Q: Can we include profit in project costs?听

A: Yes. If profit is not already included in labour rates, you may specify a听profit percentage听in the finance schedule. This is optional.听

Q: How are project costs paid?听

A: Payments are made听in arrears, against completed deliverables听

• We ask for no more than听6 milestone payments.听

• No advance payments听

• Final payment (鈥渟atisfactory completion鈥�)听should听be听at least 20%听of total project cost听

Deliverables and payment points must be defined in the online submission service.听

Q: Can I add attachments to my proposal?听

A: Yes. You may upload听images only听(JPG/JPEG/PNG) to support Desirability, Feasibility, or Viability.听Attachments must听supplement, not replace, the written response.听Examples of acceptable attachments include:听

• Gantt charts听

• Schematics or diagrams听

Do听not听upload听promotional听materials, reports, papers, or documents听containing听substantive text.听

Read the full听Assessment process and criteria - 扒哥吃瓜)听to learn more.听

Q: What are the听minimum听requirements for assessment?听

A: Your proposal must pass the听mandatory听pre鈥憇ift听criteria听set out in the competition document. This typically includes scope, maturity, value, duration, and required deliverables.听If unsure, contact听your听local Innovation Partner.听

Q: What if we need to recruit during the project?听

A: This is acceptable. If a role is unfilled:听

• Use a听generic job title/description听

• Include recruitment risks and mitigations in the听Risk Register听

Ensure recruitment plans fit within any听maximum听project duration.听Your听local听Innovation Partner听can advise further.听

Open Call for Innovation FAQs听

Q: How do I know if my idea is relevant to Defence?听

A: Discuss your idea confidentially with听your听local Innovation Partner. You may be asked to听submit听an听Innovation Outline听to assess relevance across MOD.听

Q: Do I need听Ministry of Defence (MOD)听support or a letter of support to apply?听

A: No. MOD partners or letters of support are听not听required.听听

If you are aware of specific MOD interest or demand, describe this clearly in the听Desirability听section.听

Read the full听Assessment process and criteria - 扒哥吃瓜)听to learn more.听听

Q: Can I access Defence platforms or networks to test my idea?听

A: Requests for听Government Furnished Assets (GFA)听(e.g. data, equipment, facilities) may be included, but availability is听not guaranteed.听

In most cases, access to live Defence platforms would conflict with these requirements.听If you request GFA, you听must include a credible alternative plan.