Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA): Open Call for Innovation Cycle 4

The Defence Rapid Impact (DRI) competition is looking to fund innovative ideas that address both current and emerging Defence challenges. It is seeking disruptive innovations—whether technologies, materials, or concepts—that could provide a step change to Defence to give an advantage over adversaries.

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is inviting innovative ideas that support any area of UK Defence—including the Ministry of Defence (MOD), its commands, supporting organisations, and the supply chain. The goal of the DRI initiative is to deliver disruptive concepts that enhance military capability and create meaningful, near-term impact for end users, improving the UK's ability to project force and influence.

DASA is interested in proposals that:

• Develop new or novel approaches to achieve existing outcomes within Defence more efficiently/effectively
• Develop and demonstrate a modern approach, techniques, or equipment to deliver new or enhanced outcomes for Defence
• Develop current capability in a novel way to achieve efficiency or enhanced effects for Defence
• Provide evidence to the impact of the novel approach/technique across Defence
• Present a credible plan and have a realistic prospect for impact in Defence within a three-year time frame from the completion of the project funded under the DRI
• Present a clear plan for future development and scaling, including engagement and compliance with any applicable regulatory requirements both within and outside of Defence
• Deliver a technology model or prototype demonstration at technology readiness level (TRL) 6 or 7 at the end of the project. This demonstration should be at a limited scale, in the hands of users, and in the context or environment representative of an environment in which the solution would be used
• Do not exceed 24 months. DASA anticipates project duration to be between 12–18 months. Please note there is no minimum project duration
• Do not exceed £350,000. DASA anticipates project value to be in the region of £200,000 to £300,000. Please note there is no minimum project value
• Include a clear demonstration of how the proposed work applies to the Defence context
• Provide a sound justification of why Defence should fund the development of the innovation

Payments are made after completion of deliverables which have an associated payment milestone. You may have up to six of these within your project plan and it is up to you how you break the project down into deliverables.