UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) innovation competitions
Status not published
Runs cycle-numbered innovation competitions (for example Cycle 8) plus themed challenges, with cut-offs through the year.
Range from small fast-track feasibility contracts to larger development contracts. UKDI was launched with a ring-fenced budget of GBP 400 million a year.
You must co-fund 0%.
UK Defence Innovation, Ministry of Defence
public · national
Deadline: cutoff — Runs cycle-numbered innovation competitions (for example Cycle 8) plus themed challenges, with cut-offs through the year.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Quick — mostly identity and bank details.
Who can apply
- Sectors: deeptech, ai, space, manufacturing, energy
- Stage: pre_seed, seed, series_a, growth
- R&D activity required
- Locally registered entity required
Security clearance and UK footprint requirements apply to many competitions.
Source. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/defence-and-security-accelerator-funding-competitions — checked 2026-08-14 · not human-checked