Up to £900,000 for Defence & Space Technology Innovation

UK organisations developing cutting-edge space technologies can now apply for funding through UK Defence Innovation's (UKDI) Space to Innovate: Delta Drop competition. Delivered in partnership with the UK Space Agency and Dstl, the programme is seeking innovative solutions that can strengthen the UK's future defence and security capabilities in space.

Successful applicants could receive:

• A share of up to £900,000 in funding

• Support for projects lasting up to 18 months

• Funding for technologies at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3–6

• Access to defence and space innovation networks

• Opportunities to contribute to future UK defence and government space capabilities.

The competition is focused on three challenge areas:

• Enhanced sensor-to-response capabilities for Space Domain Awareness (SDA), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and communications missions

• Self-protecting space platforms capable of defending themselves against emerging threats

• Resilience against ground-based electromagnetic threats affecting space systems and infrastructure.

Since the launch of the original Space to Innovate programme in 2021, more than £4.2 million has been awarded to 19 organisations to develop novel technologies that provide the UK with a strategic advantage in the space domain.

Stage 1 Deadline: 28 July 2026

Stage 2 Deadline (invitation only): September 2026