Skip to content
MIKES

National · United Kingdom · UK Ministry of Defence

UK Defence Innovation (UKDI)

GrantsInnovation procurementDefenceSecurityDual-useAIAutonomy & RoboticsUAS / DronesC-UASSpaceCyberManufacturing & Supply ChainDefence MedicalISR & Sensors
Envelope
£400 million per year ringfenced; £1.6 billion to 2030
Ticket size
typically up to £350,000 per proposal; up to £1 million in some themed competitions

About the programme

UKDI is the UK MOD's unified innovation body, launched on 1 July 2025 and at full operating capability since mid-2026, with a ringfenced budget of at least £400 million a year.

  • The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) became an integral part of UKDI in February 2026, and DASA-style open calls and themed competitions now run under the UKDI brand via the same online submission service.
  • Funding is awarded as innovation contracts across defence and security themes, from rapid-manufacture operational needs to autonomy, space and security technologies.
  • The former DASA Defence Innovation Loans scheme is currently paused pending a new service.

Why it matters

This is now the single front door to UK MOD early-stage innovation money, with rolling cycles and fast contract awards. Companies that previously tracked DASA should track UKDI's live funding opportunities page instead.

Calls & cycles

3
National / DenmarkOpen call

Acceleration Fund (Accelerationsfonden)

Danish Ministry of Defence / Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI/DALO)

The single largest pot of near-term Danish defence procurement money, with an explicit invitation for industry to propose what to buy. Speed to fielding is the main selection criterion.

Innovation procurementDefence
See programme
National / GermanyOpen call

Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit (Cyberagentur)

German Federal Government (BMVg and BMI)

One of very few German vehicles paying companies directly for security and defence-relevant research, with multi-million-euro phased contracts. Procurement-law process means longer lead times; watch the partnering events.

Innovation procurementSecurityDefenceDeep tech
See programme
National / PolandOpen call

ARP Financing for the Defence Sector (Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu)

Industrial Development Agency (Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu S.A.), Polish state development agency

A flexible state lender willing to bank defence-industry companies that commercial banks often avoid, useful for contract financing and liquidity in scaling defence production. No fixed calls: financing is negotiated case by case.

LoansDefenceDual-use
Working-capital loans from PLN 0.8 million (up to PLN 8.6 million with InvestEU guarantee for SMEs); larger investment and restructuring loans negotiated individuallySee programme