Going further for longer: DASA launches new £3.1 million Themed Competition

• DASA has launched a new Themed Competition: Delivering operational advantage via improved self-sufficiency and operational energy innovation
• Funded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA)
• Total funding available is £3.1 million (excluding VAT)
• Competition closes midday 2 July 2024 (BST)

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Themed Competition called ‘Delivering operational advantage via improved self-sufficiency and operational energy innovation’. This competition is funded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA).

We are seeking proposals for novel technologies that will enable defence to achieve greater self-sufficiency and operational endurance for a deployed force, allowing the force to be more resilient, agile and self-sustaining. The aim is to increase deployed self-sufficiency and endurance across the maritime, land and air domains whilst reducing logistical burden and optimising power and energy.

Solutions to this competition’s challenges will need to be in the form of technologies e.g. machinery, equipment, items of subsistence etc. either singular or in a system. We will also consider novel technologies which could reduce the environmental risks and impact of defence’s activities.

Background and vision

Recent military campaigns have shown that contested logistics can severely hinder operations and compromise combat effectiveness. Identifying and adopting holistic, efficient and effective support and sustainability solutions quickly is essential to ensure the resilience of defence.

In addition to increased endurance through self-sufficiency (of which energy can be a part) increased endurance can also be achieved through optimising power and energy.

The perfect example of a self-sufficient force of the future is one that does not require external input to conduct its range of activities, regardless of the environment. This is achieved by managing and recycling the resources outlined in the challenge areas in line with the principles of a circular economy ultimately moving towards self-sufficiency.

Do you have a suitable innovation? Read the full competition document and accompanying challenge details document and submit a proposal.

Key dates and funding

• The total possible funding available for all successful bids to this competition is £3.1 million (excluding VAT).

• The maximum value of a proposal is £500,000. We expect to fund between 5 and 20 proposals of between £50,000 and £500,000 in value

• The deadline to submit a proposal is midday on 2 July 2024 (BST)

Supporting events

Launch webinar

Tuesday 21 May 2024 13:00 – 15:00 (BST)

This webinar offers the opportunity to find out more about this DASA competition and the chance to ask the team questions in an open forum.

Register now on the Eventbrite page

1-2-1 sessions

A series of 10 minute one-to-one teleconference sessions, giving you the opportunity to ask specific questions to the competition team. If you would like to participate, please register on the relevant Eventbrite page and find a convenient time slot. Booking is on a first come first served basis.

Click on the date below to register:

Wednesday 29 May 2024 09:30 – 13:00 BST

Tuesday 4 June 2024 14:00 – 17:00 BST

Thursday 6 June 2024 09:30 – 13:00 BST

Challenge areas

This competition has seven challenge areas.

Please ensure you read the accompanying challenge details document in full to understand the requirements of each challenge.

Please select one challenge for your proposal:

Challenge 1:

Food – feeding the winning edge

Challenge 2:

Water – harvest and recycle water with increasing efficiency

Challenge 3:

Materiel – reducing the supply chain burden

Challenge 4:

Waste – trash into treasure

Challenge 5:

Platform Power & Energy – enduring energy

Challenge 6:

Platform Thermal Management – keeping cool for persistent power

Challenge 7:

Deployed Power & Energy – energy fuels persistence

For all proposals you will be asked to demonstrate awareness of possible linkages to other challenges and the impact your solution may have on them in order to highlight benefits and disadvantages.

Submit a proposal

This competition is seeking proposals that will enable defence to achieve greater self-sufficiency and operational endurance. If you think you have an innovation that meets one or more of the competition challenges, we would love to hear from you.

Do you have a suitable innovation? Read the full competition document and accompanying challenge details document and submit a proposal.