UKDI Biosecurity Frontiers: Themed Competition
The Cabinet Office is seeking innovative proposals to assist in delivering the ambitions of the 2023 UK Biological Security Strategy and 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS) through their UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) Biosecurity Frontiers Themed Competition.
The 2023 Biological Security Strategy was published to set out the vision, mission and plans to ensure that by 2030 the UK is resilient to a spectrum of biological risks and a world leader in responsible innovation. The government define biological security as the means to protect the UK and UK interests from biological risks whether these arise naturally; through an accidental release of hazardous biological material; or by a deliberate biological attack. These risks could affect humans, animals, plants or the wider environment.
The evolving risk picture, new technologies and a persistent requirement for frontline users to be protected, means that the government is looking to diversify and strengthen the supply chains of non-pharmaceutical protective systems to help ensure those who look after us, as a society, remain protected.
This call provides an opportunity for companies to provide solutions across the following priority areas:
- Challenge 1: Biodetection and Biosurveillance
- Challenge 2: AI and Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Vaccines
- Challenge 3: Non-pharmaceutical protective systems
The submission deadline is 12:00 Midday on 10 June 2026 (BST)
The total funding availabvle is up to £2 million (excluding VAT) funding is available. The government expect to fund 5 to 7 proposals across the 3 challenges, in the region of £100,000 to £500,000 each.
Please visit the GOV.UK website to find out more and to apply.