Security & Defence
The UK is committed to spending a minimum 2% of GDP on defence over the next decade, and at least 20% of that spending on equipment. This commitment represents spending some £186 billion on defence equipment and support in the ten years from 2018/19. In addition, the UK is the second largest defence exporter, winning defence orders worth £14 billion (2018).
Security & Defence
To maintain the safety and security of both the public and visitors to the UK, police, intelligence agencies and the private security sector is supported by a vibrant UK SME security sector which is a global leader in a wide range of products and services who supported the export of over £5.2M goods and services (2018). Globally, the security market – cyber security included – exhibits continued growth and is projected to reach £150 billion by 2022.
There are many innovative solutions developed for, and applicable to the defence and security sectors. Our team can help you navigate this landscape by signposting funding opportunities, offering advice, providing guidance and introducing beneficial connections.
Companies developing products, services or innovation that are applicable to defence or security sectors and work in areas like cIoT, Data science/AI/ML, Forensics, Detection and screening technologies, Cryptography, Synthetic biology and chemistry, Radiological and nuclear, UAV/drones, sensors, behavioural science, human enhancement, energy storage, advanced materials and electronics, space and Earth Observation, surveillance and intelligence, logistics, command and control.
Click here to see open funding opportunities in the security & defence sector.

Our current focus in this area
Current Security & Defence funding opportunities
Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 2 – Collaborative R&D
Opens: 25/05/2022 Closes: 13/07/2022
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £12 million for innovative clean maritime projects. Strand 2, Collaborative R&D, is for agile development and pre-deployment testing of clean maritime technologies, with project costs £100k-£3m.
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DASA Competition: Engineering Biology for Defence and Security
Opens: 20/06/2022 Closes: 25/08/2022
Dstl is seeking highly innovative approaches to understand the contribution that engineering biology can make to Defence Capability in materials, power, energy and sensing.
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DASA Competition: Generation-after-next Wearable Technologies
Opens: 20/06/2022 Closes: 25/08/2022
DASA are looking for devices capable of measuring biomolecules in the human body: “Beyond the smartwatch: towards continuous, molecular measurements with wearable technology”.
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Related Events and Recordings
Related News

11/04/2022
Cyber Security Academic Startup Accelerator Programme (CyberASAP) reveals 2022/23 cohort
After a historic level of interest in the programme, CyberASAP announces 28 cyber academic teams from across the UK to join their 2022/23 cohort.
Read more

08/06/2022
Women In Innovation Success Stories: Becca Hume, TapSOS, Northern Ireland
Becca Hume joined Innovate UK’s Women in innovation programme to further her mission to bring accessibility and inclusion for all those in need of help from the emergency services, through her technology company TapSOS.