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Defence Innovation Loan/26 Cycle 5

Defence Innovation Loan/26 Cycle 5

Offers United Kingdom defence innovation teams a government-backed low interest loan route through an official loan programme.

Between cyclesUK Defence Innovation (formerly DASA)United Kingdom
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About

The Defence Innovation Loan programme is a repayable financing mechanism jointly delivered by UK Defence Innovation (UKDI, formerly DASA) and Innovate UK Loans Ltd, designed to help UK small and medium-sized enterprises bring mature defence technologies to commercial scale. Unlike DASA's grant competitions, the loan instrument is intended for innovations that have already cleared proof-of-concept …

What this grant funds

Below-market repayable loans of £100K–£1M for UK SMEs with defence or dual-use innovations at TRL 6 or above seeking to bridge late-stage development to commercial deployment.

Key facts
CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.—
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.—
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Loan
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.—
Funding analytics

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Industries

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Eligibility criteria

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Application process

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What you have to submit

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Last verified: 24 Jul 2026Source: www.gov.uk