Defence and Security Accelerator
DASA
Finds and funds innovation for UK defence and security on behalf of the MoD and Home Office. Runs themed competitions and an always-open call, with contracts rather than grants, and is a common first route for SMEs into defence.
- Kind of funder
- Government body
- Where it funds
- UK-wide
- Indicative award size
- £50k – £1.5m
- Approx. annual research spend
- £100m
- Who can apply
- SMEs, Large businesses, Universities, Research institutes
- Career stages
- Any stage
Open Call Phase 1 typically up to £100k over 6–9 months; themed competitions larger.
Research areas
Named schemes (5)
Competition: Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) Open Call for Innovation - CY2025 - Cycle 4 ↗
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) uses the Open Call for Innovation to find ideas that address challenges across both Defence and Security landscapes.
OpenCheck funder site for current roundpulled from GOV.UK 2026-09-12Competition: Defence Innovation Loans FY25/26 Cycle 7 ↗
Loans of up to £1 million with a below market interest rate of 7.4% per annum to help convert your mature defence innovation into a strong business proposition for defence procurement.
OpenCheck funder site for current roundpulled from GOV.UK 2026-09-12Conflict Wounds - From Biology to Battlefield Solutions ↗
This UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) competition, run on behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Ministry of Defence (MOD) Defence Medical Services (DMS), seeks innovations addressing challenges in the field of conflict wounds.
OpenCheck funder site for current roundpulled from GOV.UK 2026-09-12DASA Open Call for Innovation ↗
Permanently open route for defence and security ideas at any maturity. Phase 1 proposals are usually under £100k for six to nine months, assessed in regular cycles.
OpenCheck funder site for current round£30k – £300k per awardchecked 2026-05-01Delivering Future Advantage through Testing and Evaluation (Phase 1) ↗
DASA competition for the MOD Test and Evaluation (T&E) Transformation Programme to develop deployable T&E capabilities and regulatory solutions.
OpenCheck funder site for current roundpulled from GOV.UK 2026-09-12