- UKDI has launched a new Themed Competition, Conflict wounds:
from biology to battlefield solutions
- Funded by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
(Dstl) and Ministry of Defence (MOD) Defence Medical Service
(DMS)
- Up to £1.5 million of funding is available for innovations
that help model conflict wounds, and/or treat conflict wounds
- Competition closes on 24 March 2026
This competition is run by UK Defence Innovation (UKDI),
previously the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA). Please
note that while we undergo a full transition of our online
platforms some existing DASA systems will still be live and in
use, including the DASA Online Submission Service required for
this competition.
This UKDI competition is run on behalf of the Defence Science and
Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Ministry of Defence (MOD)
Defence Medical Services (DMS) and seeks to remedy two
identified problem areas:
- the current lack of effective models available in which to
study wound aetiology and test novel therapeutics
- the urgent need to develop novel treatments that can lower
morbidity and improve outcomes in those patients who sustain
complex conflict wounds.
Therefore, this competition seeks innovations that will improve
our understanding of and develop treatment options for conflict
wounds.
Proposals are invited under two challenge areas:
Challenge 1: Modelling conflict wounds
Challenge 2: Treating conflict wounds
Learn more in the
Competition documentWe are interested
in…
We want novel ideas to benefit end-users working in UK defence
and security. Your proposal should include evidence of:
- relevance for injury to skin, muscle, and / or bone at the
extremities (including maxillofacial) or torso
- the potential for your innovation to be translated into a
practical demonstration in the future, whether it be theoretical
development, method / technical advancement or proof of concept
research
- innovation or a creative approach
- how the proposed work applies to any defence and / or
security context
Learn what we are not
interested in and the full scope of the project in the
competition documentKey dates and
funding
Up to £1.5 million (excluding VAT) funding is available. We
expect to fund 5 to 7 proposals, in the region of £200,000 to
£300,000 each, but we reserve the right to fund proposals at
higher and lower values than these amounts.
The deadline to submit a proposal is midday (GMT) 24 March 2026
Read the full competition
document and submit a proposal before
then.Supporting
eventsLaunch webinar
On 10 February 2026 we will lead a launch webinar to provide
further detail on the problem space and a chance for attendees to
ask questions in an open forum. If you would like to participate,
please register on the UKDI Eventbritepage.
One-to-ones
On 18 and 24 February 2026 we are offering a series of 15 minute
one-to-one teleconference sessions, giving you the opportunity to
ask specific technical questions to the competition team in a
closed forum. Registration for these sessions will be available
the day after the launch webinar on 10 February 2026, on the
Eventbrite pages below. Booking will be on a first come first
served basis, please use the following links to register.
Register
for a 1-2-1 session on 18 February 2026
Register
for a 1-2-1 session on 24 February 2026
Non-technical questions about the competition process should be
sent to the UKDI Help Centre, accelerator@dstl.gov.uk.
Submit a proposal
If you have an innovation that could enable the advancement of
conflict wound modelling and care, don't delay in submitting your
proposal. Your idea could really help save lives.
Read the full competition
document to learn more and submit a proposal.
