- UKDI has launched a new Themed Competition: Rapid transfusion
diagnostics: optimising safety on deployed operations
- Funded by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
(Dstl)
- Up to £3 million (excluding VAT) funding available
- Competition closes midday 2 June 2026 (BST)
UK Defence Innovation
(UKDI) is pleased to launch a new Themed Competition called
Rapid
transfusion diagnostics: optimising safety on deployed
operations. Run on behalf of the Defence Science and
Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the Defence Medical Services
(DMS), this competition seeks proposals that can solve the
challenges associated with collecting, testing and administering
blood in a deployed setting.
Personnel injured in conflict rely on the timely provision of
blood as a matter of life or death. Early transfusion with
compatible blood, screened for blood borne viruses to ensure
safety, is vital for survival.
The availability of logistically light, accurate tests able to be
used in the deployed environment would enable emergency blood
testing in the field, thus maximising available stock on
operations. This would support preparedness and improve the
availability of safe blood to the deployed force, ultimately
helping to save more lives.
Therefore, this competition seeks innovative solutions for
practical blood testing devices that are suitable for point of
care use by non-specialists in operational environments.
Read the
full competition document and submit your
solutions.We are interested in…
We want novel ideas to benefit end-users working in UK defence
and security. Your proposal should include evidence of:
- the potential for your innovation to be translated into a
practical demonstration, 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 more
in the full competition document.Key dates
and funding
Up to £3 million (excluding VAT) funding is available. We expect
to fund 4 to 6 proposals, in the region of £500,000 to £700,000
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 2 June 2026 (BST).
Do you have
a solution? Read the full competition document and submit a
proposal.Supporting
eventLaunch webinar
On 19 March 2026 we are hosting a launch webinar to provide
further detail on this competition and invite participants to ask
their questions in an open forum. Register your attendance on the
Eventbrite
page.
Submit a proposal
If you have a solution that could help save the lives of
personnel by providing safe testing, collecting and administering
of blood, submit your proposal.
Read the
full competition document to learn more and submit a
proposal.
