Map the Gap (Phase 3)

This UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) competition is run on behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the British Army.

Building on research conducted under previous ‘Map the Gap’ competitions, this competition aims to accelerate the development of novel sensing technologies deployable from uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), to reduce risk to personnel while enabling rapid multi‑site survey. This competition seeks proposals to develop systems toward two primary challenges.

1. Measurement of Ground Bearing Capacity (GBC) from an Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS).
2. Underwater river profiling from UAS deployed sensors or payloads.

Please read the competition document in full for all details of the competition scope and challenge areas.

Total funding available

The total possible funding available for this competition is £2.0 million (excluding VAT).

We expect to fund a number of proposals under each of the two challenges.

Submission deadline

12:00 Midday on 16 June 2026  (BST)

Where do I submit my proposal?

Via the UKDI Online Submission Service for which you will require an account. Only proposals submitted through the UKDI Online Submission Service will be accepted.

Innovators are strongly advised to submit their proposal at least one hour before the deadline. Proposals submitted close to the deadline risk encountering issues that cannot be resolved in time. Responsibility for timely submission rests entirely with the innovator, no extensions will be made. If you are having problems submitting your proposal, email us prior to the deadline on accelerator@dstl.gov.uk or call 01980 950000 option 3 Monday to Friday 0900-1200 only).

Launch webinar

A recording of the Launch webinar to be held on 5 May 2026 will be uploaded here after the event.