Change of https://www.gov.uk/guidance/r-cloud

Change description : 2026-09-23 10:40:00: R-Cloud version 5 is now live for existing version 4 suppliers to update and confirm their details, and for applications from new suppliers. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2026-08-07 09:57:30.790125372 +00:00..2026-09-24 18:31:46.893219965 +00:00

Guidance

R-Cloud: marketplace for defence science and technology research

Suppliers of science and technology research can sign up to R-Cloud to access opportunities from across the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

From:
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
Published:
2 July 2015
Last updated:
237 SeptemberAugust 2026 — See all updates

Coming in 2026: R-Cloud version 5: now live for supplier applications and onboarding5

R-Cloud (version 5) is nowlaunching availablein for applications from new suppliers and onboarding of suppliers from version 4.

2026. Building on the success of version 4, the new R-Cloud will be more agile and ready for the future.

We will open version 5 for supplier applications and onboarding in September 2026. We will continue to advertise opportunities through version 4 until version 5 goes fully live in December 2026. You can still apply for version 4 up until December to take part in opportunities during the transition period.

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Join R-Cloud to gain access to security and defence contracting opportunities across all the MOD’s science and technology research areas (capabilities).

We welcome applications from:

  • all types of supplier: non-traditional defence supplier, micro business, small to medium-sized enterprise (SME), academic institution or large organisation
  • UK and international research suppliers

Join or access R-Cloud

How it works

R-Cloud is different from traditional procurement frameworks, enabling suppliers to:

  • apply quickly and easily using the online application process
  • join at any time during the R-Cloud term, because it’s a dynamic agreement
  • receive targeted invitations to bid for opportunities tailored to your key capabilities and skills
  • access opportunities to contract directly with MOD
  • retain intellectual property rights
  • efficiently take up opportunities using R-Cloud’s smooth online tasking process that includes standardised terms and conditions and tasking forms

Everything is managed using the online R-Cloud service at https://rcloud.dstl.gov.uk/ - from applying to join, to responding to relevant opportunities.

Joining R-Cloud

ATo newjoin version of R-Cloud isyou’ll aboutneed to be released. If you want, you can still to:

  • create an account onat R-Cloud version 4https://rcloud.dstl.gov.uk/ for opportunities up to December 2026.

    Alternatively, you can just create an account on R-Cloud version 5 where opportunities will be advertised from December 2026 onwards.

    Once you’ve created an account, you will need to:

    • choose the research areas relevant to your capabilities and skills
    • complete the main application including company details
    • provide a technical narrative (statement) to explain your organisation’s experience and capabilities
    • submit the completed application

    We will then assess your application and you’ll be notified of the outcome through the online service.

How contracts are placed

The R-Cloud tasking process is managed through https://rcloud.dstl.gov.uk/ and it’s fully online - no hard copy paperwork is issued.

We publish task details on the R-Cloud online service using the R-Cloud tasking form, which contains all the information you’ll need to respond to an opportunity.

You will only see opportunities that are relevant to your organisation, because:

  • when suppliers join R-Cloud, you select which research areas are of interest to your organisation
  • when MOD adds new opportunities or ‘tasks’ to R-Cloud, we select the relevant research areas
  • R-Cloud matches your areas of interest with our opportunities to create a shortlist of suppliers who will be invited to respond

About R-Cloud

R-Cloud is run by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) on behalf of the MOD, and it’s just one of a number of ways to sell to or work with us.

Suppliers can apply to become R-Cloud members for any or all of the key capability areas at any time. You will need to meet the required technical and commercial requirements, and accept the R-Cloud standard terms and conditions.

SinceAll 2020contracting overopportunities 1,000placed contractsusing R-Cloud will be fundamental and applied research tasks covering Technical Readiness Levels (TRLs) 1 to 6.

Intellectual property rights reside solely with athe totalsupplier, valuewith Dstl and the Ministry of Defence having full user rights.

Since 2018 almost 1,000 contracts valued in excess of £525£164 million have been awarded via R-Cloud and usage and spend are increasing. Our suppliers are from across industry and academia, both UK and internationally based, and more than 70% of R-Cloud suppliers are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

R-Cloud+

R-Cloud+ is an optional addition to R-Cloud, which will open up more opportunities to participate in UK government R&D contracts.

Buyers have the option to require all or part of the intellectual property rights (IPR) under a contract to vest in the Crown with R-Cloud+.

Find out more about R-Cloud+ on our supplier guidance page.

Contact us

Dstl R-Cloud

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
Porton Down
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP4 0JQ

Updates to this page

Published 2 July 2015
Last updated 237 SeptemberAugust 2026 — Show all updates

  1. R-Cloud version 5 is now live for existing version 4 suppliers to update and confirm their details, and for applications from new suppliers.

  2. Information about R-Cloud version 5 added, including link to webinar for suppliers in September 2026.

  3. R-Cloud is now available again following essential maintenance.

  4. R-Cloud is currently not available to suppliers while we carry out maintenance work. This will take between 3 and 4 weeks, starting from 29 November 2022.

  5. Fully updated R-Cloud information with details of benefits and processes.

  6. Updated URL from https://rcloud-v4.dstl.gov.uk to https://rcloud.dstl.gov.uk/

  7. Added link to R-Cloud portal (beta).

  8. First published.

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Contents

Update history

2026-09-23 10:40
R-Cloud version 5 is now live for existing version 4 suppliers to update and confirm their details, and for applications from new suppliers.

2026-08-07 10:57
Information about R-Cloud version 5 added, including link to webinar for suppliers in September 2026.

2022-12-16 09:30
R-Cloud is now available again following essential maintenance.

2022-12-01 16:41
R-Cloud is currently not available to suppliers while we carry out maintenance work. This will take between 3 and 4 weeks, starting from 29 November 2022.

2022-06-01 13:47
Fully updated R-Cloud information with details of benefits and processes.