UK Defence InnovationCloses in 30 daysIncluded in GrantPartner*Stage 2: Tactical Power Challenge
UK Defence Innovation challenge for the British Army: £2.45M (ex VAT) of development contracts for innovative tactical power solutions from TRL 4 to TRL 6, in two stages. Stage 1 closes 10 November 2026 at midday GMT.
- Funding
- £1m+
- Not stated per project (no per-project cap; proposals must fall within the £2.45m competition total)
- Closes
- 15 December 2026
- Applicants
- Single or joint
- UK-registered businesses based in the UK, with the work carried out in the UK. Stage 2 is invitation only.
What this competition funds
- Development of innovative tactical power solutions for the British Army, covering deployable or battlefield power needs.
- Industrial research and development that takes solutions from technology readiness level (TRL) 4 to TRL 6.
- Development work carried out in the UK under defence contracts, with a full detailed proposal required at Stage 2.
Who can apply?
- Lead applicant
- UK-registered businesses based in the UK, with the work carried out in the UK. Stage 2 is invitation only.
- Partners and collaborators
- This is a single-applicant, non-collaborative competition. Applicants considering subcontractors or other delivery support should confirm the permitted arrangements in the official brief.
- Worth checking
- Projects must start at TRL 4 and reach TRL 6. The competition is UK-wide.
What assessors look for
01
Need and challenge fit
Explain the British Army tactical power need your solution addresses and its intended deployable or battlefield use. Confirm the detailed assessment criteria in the official brief.
02
Innovation and technical progression
Set out what makes the power solution innovative and provide evidence of its TRL 4 starting point. Explain how development and testing will demonstrate progression to TRL 6.
03
Impact and value for money
Link the proposed development to practical benefits for Army tactical power use. Justify the contract price against the work and outputs, recognising that £2.45 million excluding VAT is the whole competition budget.
04
Delivery and team
Use the full Stage 2 proposal to explain the technical plan, team responsibilities, risks and evidence of completion. Show how the work will be delivered in the UK.
Where applications usually lose marks
- A generic power technology proposal that does not explain its relevance to British Army deployable or battlefield needs.
- Weak evidence of the TRL 4 starting point or an unconvincing plan to reach TRL 6.
- Treating the whole competition budget as an expected individual award, without justifying the proposed contract price.
How GrantUp can help
Our specialist bid writers build the scoring case, budget and narrative with you, with an over 82% success rate per engagement and over £190m secured for clients. Grant funding engagements have a minimum upfront setup fee starting from £1,750, plus a success fee payable on award. The scope and success fee are agreed before work starts. We do not take equity.
This competition is also covered by GrantPartner. GrantPartner is a paid six month grant programme with the cost spread in monthly payments, a rolling portfolio of bids and a success fee on award. If no funding is awarded during the programme, we extend it.
Discuss this grantFrequently asked questions
How much funding is available?
The competition has £2.45 million excluding VAT for development contracts. No per-project cap is stated, but proposals must fall within that total. UKDI pays 100% of the agreed contract price. This is contract funding, not a grant.
Who is eligible for Stage 2?
The listing specifies UK-registered businesses based in the UK, with work undertaken in the UK. Solutions must start at TRL 4 and reach TRL 6. Stage 2 is invitation only, so applicants should confirm the invitation requirements in the official brief.
Can we apply with collaborators?
The listing identifies this as a single-applicant competition and states that it is not collaborative. It does not explain whether subcontractors or other delivery support are permitted. Confirm those arrangements in the official brief before building them into your proposal.
How do we apply?
Stage 1 requires an idea overview with an outline technical plan. Stage 2 requires an invitation and a full detailed proposal. Confirm submission instructions in the official brief. The separate Immediate Power Problem strand uses the same form but is market engagement only for TRL 6+ solutions.
Programme at a glance
- Funding
- £1m+
- Funder
- UK Defence Innovation
- Region
- UK-wide
- Partners required
- No
- Next deadline
- 15 December 2026
Why GrantUp
- Over 82% success rate per engagement
- Over £190m secured for clients
- Specialist technical bid writers
Considering Stage 2: Tactical Power Challenge?
Talk through your project with a specialist and find out whether this is the right competition before you invest time in an application.