Defence Grants & Funding
Fuelling UK national security through cutting-edge technological advancement.
Secure Funding for Innovation in Defence
The UK defence sector is adapting rapidly to evolving geopolitical challenges and emerging threats. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is eager for partnerships with innovators, from agile SMEs to seasoned contractors, to develop powerful new capabilities in autonomy, cyber, advanced sensing, materials, AI-powered systems, and more.
Innovation in defence spans:
- Counter-UAV systems: detection, electronic warfare countermeasures, and directed-energy neutralisation
- Ruggedised, encrypted communications hardware for resilient battlefield networks
- AI-driven threat detection and decision-support systems using multi-sensor fusion and predictive analytics
- Autonomous aerial, land, and undersea vehicles featuring advanced navigation, stealth, and swarming abilities
- Next-gen sensing technologies: hyperspectral imaging, quantum sensors, and covert radar systems
- Lightweight ballistic and blast-resistant materials for personal protection and armoured platforms
- Low-observability (stealth) technologies: radar-absorbent materials and thermal signature suppression
- Space-enabled surveillance systems: satellite-based communications and ISR platforms
- Cyber-resilient software architectures: secure coding, intrusion-detection systems, and socio-technical resilience
- Testing dual-use platforms for both military and civilian scenarios (drones, sensors, communications)
- Munitions and high-performance systems for defence
- Emerging frontier technologies like advanced propulsion, robotics, and command systems
These capabilities are essential for modern defence, but they come with long, complex development cycles and stringent regulatory bodies. At Streets Innovation, we work with defence innovators to help unlock grants, R&D tax relief, and strategic assistance throughout the journey from concept to deployment.
What Streets Innovation Can Do For You
We support innovators across all forms of defence technology – software, hardware, systems, and platforms – helping them navigate both UK and international funding channels and optimise tax incentives for qualifying R&D.
Accessing Defence Grants and Competitions
- Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA): including open calls and themed priority challenges
- MOD and DSTL-backed innovation initiatives for next-gen threats
- Innovate UK’s defence-focused tech competitions
- The European Defence Fund (EDF), including collaborative R&D grants (up to 100% of costs) for SMEs and mid‑caps, with particular advantages for participation in PESCO-aligned projects
The EDF, for instance, has nearly €7.3 billion budgeted for 2021–2027 innovation, and it offers strategic covered grants aligned with the EU’s Capability Development Plan and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The 2025 Work Programme alone commits €1.065 billion to collaborative defence R&D across air, land, naval, space, and cyber domains, bolstering interoperability and competitiveness across the continent.
Whether you’re working on covert sensing systems, digital battlefield tools, or secure communications infrastructure, we:
- Identify relevant funding programmes
- Shape technically compelling and strategically aligned applications
- Support submissions that speak to MOD and national security priorities
Maximising R&D Tax Relief for Defence Innovation
- Software development for mission planning or threat simulation
- Design and testing of ruggedised or encrypted hardware
- Materials development for lightweight protection or low observability
- Sensor calibration and algorithmic refinement for real-time use
We prepare HMRC-compliant, technically robust claims that unlock significant tax savings, freeing up capital to reinvest in core defence innovation.
Why Choose Streets Innovation?
Defence R&D is high-stakes and detail-focused. We bring together data scientists, systems architects, engineers, and Chartered Tax Advisers – each with direct knowledge of MOD and HMRC expectations, as well as European funding policies. Whether you work with the MOD, NATO, or civil/military crossovers, we help your innovation secure funding and strategic positioning.
Get Started Today
If you’re developing the next generation of defence technology, Streets Innovation can help you access the capital and incentives required to take it forward. Contact us today to book a free consultation and explore your funding and tax strategy for defence innovation.
