Upcoming Defence, Space and Dual-Use Innovation Opportunities
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
A number of upcoming defence, space and dual-use innovation opportunities are expected to open in July, offering potential routes for businesses, researchers and innovators to engage with UK and international defence and security programmes.
UKDI competition pipeline: space, robotics and autonomous systems
UK Defence Innovation has indicated that new competition calls are expected to launch shortly. These include a space-focused opportunity led by the UK Space Agency, UK Space Command and Dstl, seeking proposals that could support the development of future space technologies with benefits across multiple UK Government uses. A further competition is expected in July, focused on novel and disruptive ideas in robotics and autonomous systems, with three-month projects due to complete by March 2027. Organisations interested in these areas are encouraged to monitor the UKDI website and sign up to the UKDI mailing list for launch updates.
Dstl will host a webinar on Human and Social Sciences science and technology opportunities for defence suppliers. The session will provide an overview of upcoming opportunities, key research programmes, priority capability areas and the strategic direction of future Human and Social Sciences research. It is aimed at helping organisations understand where they may be able to contribute, collaborate and engage with future defence research activity.
A further Dstl webinar will focus on science and technology supporting the future of Air Power in UK defence. The session will outline forthcoming research opportunities within Dstl’s Air Programme, which supports the development of future Air Domain capabilities through research and analysis of air and space power issues. Industry and academic organisations are being encouraged to explore how they could support future capability development over the programme’s five-year mandate.
The National Protective Security Authority, working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, is inviting expressions of interest for the next Capability Optimisation Research Environment event. Taking place in the UK from 19 to 23 October 2026, CORE will provide a collaborative test and experimentation environment for organisations developing counter-uncrewed aerial systems technologies. It offers an opportunity to trial and refine capabilities alongside UK Government and international partners.
The U.S. Defense Innovation Unit, on behalf of the U.S. Navy, has opened a challenge call to UK innovators working in quantum sensing and timing technologies. The opportunity is seeking 24-month projects across areas including magnetometers, gravimeters, portable clocks and component technologies. This could be relevant for organisations developing advanced sensing, navigation, timing or enabling component technologies with potential defence and security applications.
NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic is inviting applications from dual-use technology companies working on critical defence and security challenges. Selected companies receive €100,000 in initial funding, access to more than 200 test centres and a pathway into a six-month accelerator beginning in January 2027. Priority challenge areas include human survivability, autonomy of uncrewed systems, sensing and advanced data processing, operational resilience, responsive logistics and countermeasures for air defence. 3 July application deadline.
