Key Features
The Open Call is one of the funding competition mechanisms DASA uses to find proposals that address challenges faced by government stakeholders.
Programme: DASA
Award: Share of up to £250,000
Opens: 3rd Sep 2024
Closes: 19th Nov 2024
The DASA Defence Rapid Impact Open Call for Innovation is one of the funding competition mechanisms DASA uses to find proposals that address challenges faced by government stakeholders. It gives bidders the opportunity to present their ideas to defence and security stakeholders at any time, without waiting for a relevant Themed Competition.
The Open Call is looking for innovative ideas to improve the defence and security of the UK. Your idea could be a concept, technology or service. DASA currently run two distinct submission sections under the Open Call; Defence Rapid Impact and Innovation Focus Areas, details of each are given in the dedicated sections below.
Defence Rapid Impact
The Defence Rapid Impact Open Call for Innovation funded by the Defence Innovation Fund opens and closes for a number of cycles during the year. Previously, the Call has always been open to new innovation ideas being submitted by Innovators.
Security Rapid Impact
The Security Rapid Impact Open Call will not reopen before December 2024. In the meantime, we have a range of security focused competitions launched and in the pipeline so please keep an eye on the DASA website for further information.
Please follow the link to the previous Security Rapid Open Call Competition Information for previous cycles for reference only.
Innovation Focus Areas
While DASA are interested in funding a broad range of projects within the Open Call, we also seek proposals to address more specific enduring challenges faced by our defence and security customers. These are called Innovation Focus Areas (IFAs). Unlike DASA Themed Competitions, these are often broad in scope and will always be open for a minimum of two Open Call cycles.
If you are interested in any of the Innovation Focus Areas, please select the relevant IFA unique identifier number when creating your submission within the Innovation Focus Areas selection choices. Please note that both defence and security IFAs can be submitted under the Innovation Focus Areas section of Open Call.
Defence Innovation Loans
Innovation Loans are an opportunity for UK-registered single small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with solutions to defence themed problems to apply for a Defence Innovation Loan to help develop and convert their mature innovation into a viable business proposition.
Defence Innovation Loans run in cycles throughout the year. For current cycle dates please see below. Initial outcomes will be communicated within seven weeks of the closing date of each cycle, not including public holidays and weekends. More information on the competition and its assessment can be found here.
Please note that further cycles for FY24/25 are currently under review pending confirmation of budget allocation.
When submitting a proposal, you must complete all sections of the online form, including an appropriate level of technical information to allow assessment of the bid and a completed finances section. It is also helpful to include a list of other current or recent government funding you may have received in this area if appropriate, making it clear how this proposal differs from this work.
A project plan with clear milestones and deliverables must be provided. Deliverables must be well defined and designed to provide evidence of progress against the project plan and the end-point for this phase; they must include a final report. You should also plan for attendance at a kick-off meeting at the start of the project and a close down meeting at the end of project. Your proposal must demonstrate how you will complete all activities/services and provide all deliverables within the timescales. Proposals with any deliverables (including final report) outside the competition timeline will be rejected as non-compliant.
A resourcing plan must also be provided that identifies, where possible, the nationalities of those proposed research workers that you intend to work on the project. In the event of proposals being recommended for funding, DASA reserves the right to undertake due diligence checks including the clearance of proposed research workers. Please note that this process will take as long as necessary and could take up to 6 weeks in some cases for non-UK nationals.
For further information on the funding competition, please see here.
No funding limit is specified, however DASA would typically expect to fund bids between £100K – £250K. Proposals that demonstrate value for money will be viewed favourably.
Book an appointment to speak to one of our advisors to discuss your eligibility to apply for this Grant Funding opportunity.
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