Defence Security Events

DASA and Dstl seek solutions to disrupt future of defence

Posted 17 October 2023

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has launched a new Themed Competition: Novel Disruptive Science Impacting Future Defence and Security, funded by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).

Image courtesy Defence and Security Accelerator

Run on behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), this competition seeks exciting concepts, technologies or ideas that may disrupt the future of defence.

The outcome from Phase 1 of this competition is anticipated to be a pool of novel science and technology (S&T) ideas and concepts that may disrupt the defence landscape and have the potential to lead to radical change.

A disruptive impact is something that radically alters how we do things – this can be positive (e.g. a new capability becomes available) or negative (e.g. a new type of threat arises).

Upon completion of Phase 1, DASA will seek to direct further funds to a number of projects deemed to offer the most potential for defence or security. Phase 2 will see funded suppliers explore how to continue their research and the most promising suppliers may be allocated a proportion of £750,000 (ex VAT) to further mature their ideas or concepts.

Key dates and funding

Funding of £750,000 (exc. VAT) is available for this Themed Competition. The value of each funded submission is £50,000
The deadline to submit a proposal is midday GMT Tuesday 5th December 2023

DASA are interested in low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) ideas (TRL 1-2) from any discipline that may disrupt current ways of innovating, which could in the future either benefit defence or security, or form the basis of countering a threat. It would like you to receive a flavour of what might be possible and be disruptive.

Proposals submitted for this competition do not need to fulfil contemporary defence requirements.

Supporting event: webinar
A webinar will take place on 31st October 2023 10:30 - 12:00pm GMT.

This dial-in session will provide further details on the problem space and a chance to ask questions in an open forum. If you would like to participate, please register on the Eventbrite page .

Submit a proposal
Do you have an innovation that may help develop new technologies or concepts that may disrupt the future of defence? Read the full competition document to learn more and submit a proposal.