Notice: Novel Autonomy and Robotics (Phase 1)

A new UKDI competition to develop early-stage disruptive science and technology for future game-changing advances in Defence robotics and autonomous systems.

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This UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) competition is run on behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)’s Autonomy Programme Incubator project. It seeks proposals that develop early-stage novel and disruptive science and technology (S&T) that may give rise to future game-changing advances in Defence robotics and autonomous systems. The aim is to find cutting-edge low-technology readiness level (TRL) S&T ideas that may be matured to support military use of autonomous systems across land, sea and air environments.

In this competition we will be running a 2-stage process. UKDI has introduced this 2-stage submission process to help innovators understand early on, and with reduced effort, if their idea is appropriate for the competition and to make the review and decision-making process more efficient. The table below summarises the differences and expectations of the 2 stages.

Both Stage 1 and Stage 2 proposals are to be submitted via the UKDI Online Submission Service where you will need to register for an account if you don’t already have one. Only proposals submitted through the UKDI Online Submission Service will be accepted.

Innovators are strongly advised to submit their proposal at least one hour before the specified deadline. Proposals submitted close to the deadline risk encountering issues that cannot be resolved in time.

On 20 July 2026, UKDI hosted a launch webinar providing further detail on the problem space and a chance to ask questions in an open forum. View the webinar below.