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Defence Innovation Fund

Defence Innovation Fund

Supports United Kingdom defence startups with rapid MoD contract opportunities in autonomy, robotics, and control systems.

OpenMinistry of DefenceUnited Kingdom
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About

The Defence Innovation Fund is a £20 million procurement programme run by the UK Ministry of Defence, announced in January 2026, designed to accelerate contracts with small British startups that have little or no prior MoD business. It sits within the broader MoD commitment to spend £7.5 billion with SMEs and is administered through UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) — the successor body to DASA, which …

What this grant funds

Defence and security innovation spanning artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomy, enhanced precision weapons, biosecurity, and other UKDI-designated capability priority areas.

Key facts
CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Rolling
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.Rolling
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.Procurement contract
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.£20M
Funding analytics

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Industries

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Eligibility criteria

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What you have to submit

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Timeline

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Where founders trip up

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Last verified: 22 Jul 2026Source: www.gov.uk