Find contracts in technology and research and development with the Ministry of Defence

Every year the Ministry of Defence (MOD) works with companies and researchers to develop next-generation innovation, technology and digital solutions to support our frontline troops. You can find some of the places we advertise those opportunities on this page. This is not an exhaustive list.

Opportunities outside the technology and innovation space can be found at Procurement at MOD.

To give feedback on this page, please contact the Commercial X team at defcomrcl-comrclx@mod.gov.uk.

Guidance for suppliers new to government

A common way for suppliers to bid for contracts is via online platforms known as frameworks. These are usually set up to help government buy a specific type of product or service, and have standard terms and processes which make it easier to contract with us. Once you are on a framework you can apply for any advertised opportunities until the framework ends. 

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Current opportunities

GOV.UK

What	Buying categories	Open to new entrants	Register or find out more	Notes
Find a Tender (also known as Central Digital Platform)	All types of goods and services	Yes	No registration needed – search for contracts	The main source of advertised government contracts.

Ministry of Defence

What	Buying categories	Open to new entrants	Register or find out more	Notes
Defence Sourcing Portal	All types of goods and services	Yes	Register for Defence Sourcing Portal	Main source of MODadvertised opportunitiesMinistry of Defence contracts
Neutral Vendor Framework for Innovation (NVFi)	R&D covering 14 categories from AI to Internet of Things	Yes	Register to join the NVFi on Constellia’s website	Contracts up to £50 million
R-Cloud: Marketplace for Defence Science and Technology Research	R&D covering 22 categories from robotics to advanced materials	Yes	Register for R-Cloud	70% of suppliers are smaller businesses – retention of intellectual property is supported
Analysis for Science and Technology Research in Defence (ASTRID) Framework	Analysis services covering 12 categories from data science to statistics	Yes	Find out more about (ASTRID).	Framework ends on 8 April 2027
SerapisCommercial FrameworkX Dynamic Market	R&DNew ininnovations C4ISR,at spaceany systems,development syntheticstage, environments;from simulationconcepts technologyto forfinalised human capability developmentsolutions	Yes	FindApply outvia morethe aboutDefence SerapisSourcing andPortal	Open registerto interestorganisations withof leadall suppliers	Targetedtypes atand SMEssizes and academicsfrom newany toindustry Defence. Framework- endsaimed inat Julycreating 2025a collaborative ecosystem for innovating
Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development Framework (HTCDF)	R&D in military aircrafts; missiles and spacecrafts; software and hardware; consultancy, test and evaluation; training and simulation	No	Find out more about HTCDF and on the Defence Sourcing Portal once framework is re-opened.	50% of suppliers on framework are SMEs.SMEs; Frameworkframework to be re-opened September 2025.2025; Frameworkframework ends 31 March 2031
Serapis Framework	R&D in C4ISR, space systems, synthetic environments; simulation technology for human capability development	Yes	Find out more about Serapis and register interest with lead suppliers	Targeted at SMEs and academics new to Defence; framework ends in July 2025

Crown Commercial Service

What	Buying categories	Open to new entrants	Register or find out more	Notes
Artificial Intelligence Framework	AI including development and support of AI-enabled solutions	Yes	Find out more about the Artificial Intelligence Framework and register for Artificial Intelligence Framework	Framework ends 4 November 2026
Automation Marketplace DPS	Automation technologies including consultancy and licences	Yes	Find out more about Automation Marketplace DPS and register for Automation Marketplace DPS	Agreement ends 15 November 2026
Spark DPS	Radical or disruptive emerging technologies	Yes	Find out more about Spark DPS and register for Spark DPS	Agreement ends 15 November 2026
Cyber Security Services 3	Cyber security including: penetration testing; incident response; consultancy	Yes	Find out more about Cyber Security Services 3 and register for Cyber Security Services 3.	Agreement ends 14 February 2027
Space Technology Solutions	Goods and services related to space and geospatial technologies	Yes	Find out more about Space Technology Solutions	Framework ends 30 July 2031
G-Cloud 14	Cloud-based computing including: hosting; support; off-the-shelf and pay-as-you-go solutions	No	Find out more about G-Cloud 14	Framework ends 28 AprilOctober 2026
Technology Products and Associated Services 2	Supply of hardware and software including: devices; servers; storage; software licences; accessories.	No	Find out more about Technology Products and Associated Services 2	Framework ends 9 October 2027
Technology Services 3	IT strategy and management including: IT service desk; IT infrastructure support; asset disposal	No	Find out more about Technology Services 3	Framework ends 14 March 2026
Cloud Compute 2	Core cloud compute including: platform and infrastructure as a service (PaaS and IaaS); auditing, training; enterprise support	No	Find out more about Cloud Compute 2	Framework ends 27 November 2026
Digital Outcomes 6	Software/IT research, design and development	No	Find out more about Digital Outcomes 6 - CCS	Framework ends 27 March 2026
Digital and IT Professional Services	Professional services including recruitment of digital and IT resources	No	Find out more about IT and Professional Services	Framework ends 16 November 2027. Ministry of Defence contracts only.
Network Services 3	Network solutions including: connectivity, teleconferencing, radio and satellite, Internet of Things	No	Find out more about Network Services 3	Framework ends 17 July 2027
Big Data and Analytics Framework	Big data and analytics including bespoke and off-the-shelf solutions	No	Find out more about the Big Data and Analytics Framework	Framework ends 8 August 2026

GOV.UK

What	Buying categories	Open to new entrants	Register or find out more	Notes
Contracts Finder	All types of goods and services	Yes	No registration needed – search for contracts	Main source of low value government opportunities.

Future pipeline

What	Description	Further details
MOD Acquisition Pipeline	A forward look at procurement activity planned by the Ministry of Defence.	There may be contracts the pipeline owners are not aware of which therefore don’t appear.

Funding to prototype an idea or carry out research

Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA)

DASA finds and funds exploitable innovation for a safer future.

Innovation partners

• DASA innovation partners support those with innovative ideas or products that could be of use in Defence to get funding, find contracts, write business cases and get introductions to sponsors.

• Contact your local innovation partner

Open call for innovation 

• Submit an innovative idea to improve the defence and security of the UK

• Your idea could be a concept, product or service, at various levels of maturity.

• No funding limit but generally up to £250,000

• Submit your idea

Themed competitions

• Submit a proposal around a specific area of government interest

• View current themed competitions

Defence Innovation Loans 

• Get a loan as an SME to develop a mature innovative defence solution into a strong business proposition 

• Loans of up to £1 million 

• Open for proposals all year round

• View details of defence innovation loans

Supplier networks and collaboration spaces

Ministry of Defence

Future Capability Innovation team:

• Future Capability Innovation are sponsors of Futures Lab, a place where academia and industry come together to solve complex MOD challenges. 

• There is an intro session every Monday for new joiners. Find out more and register to join.

Defence Battle Lab:

• Battle Lab is an online community and physical co-working space in Dorset for business and academia to come together to innovate for Defence.

• Battle labs can be used to make, test, and trial solutions in collaboration with Defence. Battle labs can also be used to book desks and access meeting rooms.

• Apply to join on the Battle Lab website.

Home Office

Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE):

• ACE helps government and the police tackle safety and security challenges arising from our growing use of technology.

• ACE brings hundreds of suppliers and academics together to solve these challenges. It is open to new joiners and is run by QinetiQ.

• Apply to join on their website

Hellios

• Hellios is a third party organisation.
• Their SME portal helps to connect small and medium sized businesses with other corporations in the defence, aerospace and security sectors who are looking to partner or sub-contract work.
• It’s free to join.
• The registration process is quick and only requires minimal company information.
• Register for the SME portal on Hellios’ website

Further information

• Accessing PhD research funding from the Ministry of Defence

• Defence and Security Innovation Signposting document  with details of 5 organisations that also commission innovative technologies in defence, including details of the technology readiness levels (TRLs) they support.