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UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) has opened a new competition seeking early-stage, disruptive technology for military autonomous systems. The scheme targets innovators working across land, sea and air domains.
Funding and structure
Dstl’s Autonomy Programme Incubator project funds the competition, called Novel Autonomy and Robotics. Organisers have allocated over £1 million across two stages. Stage 1 offers £600,000 in total, with individual proposals capped at £60,000. Dstl estimates it will provide a further £600,000 for stage 2.
UKDI runs the competition on Dstl’s behalf. The organisation sits within the National Armaments Director Group, which oversees the UK’s national arsenal and defence estate.
What the competition seeks
Stage 1 targets low technology readiness level ideas, specifically TRL 1 to 2. Applicants must submit genuinely novel science, including established concepts from other sectors not yet applied to defence.
Dstl will accept speculative or high-risk research, provided it rests on sound scientific theory. The organisation particularly wants concepts that could transform future defence capability or expose emerging threats requiring new countermeasures.
Successful stage 1 applicants will progress to stage 2, where Dstl will assess ideas for further development.
Key dates
Applicants must submit stage 1 proposals by midday on 11 August 2026. UKDI will host a launch webinar on 20 July 2026, running from 2pm to 3:30pm BST, giving prospective applicants a chance to question organisers directly.
Full competition details and submission guidance are available through the UK government’s competition document, as per UKDI’s recent announcement.
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