CfI: Counter UAS Demonstrations in Prison Environments

Description UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) R&D Missions Accelerator Programme (R&D MAP) , will invest up to £900,000 from the Safer Streets Mission in this Contracts for Innovation competition. This competition is operated by Innovate UK on behalf of the R&D MAP within UKRI. This is subject to us receiving a sufficient number of high quality applications. The aim of the competition is to demonstrate and test an innovative, high technology readiness level (TRL), low cost, counter uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) that can detect and track uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) to deter or defeat drone flights within UK prison estates. As per The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Prisons and Young Offender Institutions) (England and Wales) Regulations 2023, it is an offence to fly drones within 400 metres of prisons and young offender institutions. The successful solution will autonomously detect and track a wide range of UAVs as, or shortly before, they cross the prison estate perimeter. It will provide real time alerts to prison staff, notifying them to the presence of such UAVs. Solutions must adopt Sensing for Asset Protection with Integrated Electronic Networked Technology (SAPIENT) architecture and connectivity to enable interoperability with a range of external sensors and non-kinetic effector countermeasure modules. We particularly encourage solutions which can identify the drone type where possible, and solutions which have their own integrated non-kinetic effector countermeasures. Successful applicants will propose solutions that will be affordable to purchase and operate, and will provide a robust, representative, working prototype by the end of February 2027, fit for independent test and evaluation trials planned for March 2027. In applying to this competition, you are entering into a competitive process. This competition has a funding budget of up to £900,000, so we may not be able to fund all the proposed projects. It may be the case that your project scores highly and receives positive comments from the assessors but we are still unable to fund it due to the portfolio approach we take. Any adoption and implementation of a solution from this competition would be subject to a separate, possibly competitive, procurement exercise. This competition does not cover the purchase of any solution. We expect to receive a high volume of applications and will not be able to fund them all. We expect to award a maximum of 22 contracts. We consider a range of factors when determining whether to provide funding to applicants. This includes an assessment of prior conduct, such as any outstanding payments owed to Innovate UK or UKRI. Such factors may influence the funding decision, potentially resulting in a refusal of funding or an award subject to additional scrutiny. We also reserve the right to adjust funding allocations for any of our competitions. This may be in response to changes in policy, portfolio funding considerations or broader government funding decisions. This competition closes at 11am UK time on the deadline stated in this Innovate UK competition brief . We cannot guarantee other government or third party sites will always show the correct competition information. Project size Projects can have total eligible project costs of between £40,000 and £80,000, inclusive of VAT. Accessibility and Inclusion We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to making our application process accessible to everyone. This includes making reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability or a long-term condition and face barriers applying to us. You can contact us at any time to ask for guidance. We recommend you contact us as soon as possible before this competition’s closing date to allow us to put the most suitable support in place. The support we can provide may be limited if you contact us close to the competition deadline. You can contact Innovate UK by email or call 0300 321 4357. Our phone lines are open from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm UK time, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). Your project The aim of the competition is to demonstrate and test an innovative, high technology readiness level (TRL), low cost, counter uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) that can detect and track uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) to deter or defeat drone flights within UK prison estates. As per The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Prisons and Young Offender Institutions) (England and Wales) Regulations 2023, it is an offence to fly drones within 400 metres of prisons and young offender institutions. The successful solution will autonomously detect and track a wide range of UAVs as, or shortly before, they cross the prison estate perimeter. It will provide real time alerts to prison staff, notifying them to the presence of such UAVs. Solutions must adopt Sensing for Asset Protection with Integrated Electronic Networked Technology (SAPIENT) architecture and connectivity t

Who can apply Your project Projects must: • start on 1 February 2027 • end by 31 March 2027 • last 2 months • have total eligible project costs of between £40,000 and £80,000, inclusive of VAT Projects must always start on the first of the month, even if this is a non-working day. You must not start your project until your Contract has been approved by Innovate UK. You must only include eligible project costs in your application. See our overview of eligible project costs . If your project’s total costs falls outside of our eligibility criteria, you must provide justification by email to support@iuk.ukri.org at least 10 working days before the competition closes. We will then decide whether to approve your request. If your project does not meet our criteria and you have not requested justification approval, your application will be made ineligible and it will not be sent for assessment. Applicant To lead a project, you can: • be an organisation of any size, including those based in the EU, EEA or internationally • work alone or with the subcontracted skills and expertise of others from business, research organisations, research and technology organisations, or the third sector (charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups) Contracts will be awarded to a single legal entity only. The majority of the project work and key deliverables must be completed by the applicant and be carried out in the UK, and most of the funding spent within the UK. Subcontractors can be used, but only for specialist skills. Sanctions This competition will not fund you, or provide any financial benefit to any individual or entities directly or indirectly involved with you, which would expose Innovate UK or any direct or indirect beneficiary of funding from Innovate UK to UK Sanctions . For example, through any procurement, commercial, business development or supply chain activity with any entity as lead, partner or subcontractor related to these countries, administrations and terrorist groups . Use of animals in research and innovation Innovate UK expects and supports the provision and safeguarding of welfare standards for animals used in research and innovation, according to best practice and up to date guidance. Applicants must ensure that all of the proposed work within projects, both in the UK and internationally, will comply with the UKRI guidance on the use of animals in research and innovation . Any projects selected for funding which involve animals will be asked to provide additional information on welfare and ethical considerations, as well as compliance with any relevant legislation as part of the project start-up process. This information will be reviewed before an award is made. Funding Up to £900,000 inclusive of VAT has been allocated to fund innovation projects in this research and development (R&D) competition. Contracts will be between £40,000 and £80,000, inclusive of VAT, for each project for up to 2 months. We expect to fund between 11 and 22 projects. This is subject to us receiving a sufficient number of high quality applications. Funding will be in the form of a contract. We reserve the right to adjust funding allocations for any of our competitions under exceptional circumstances, for example, in response to changes in policy, portfolio funding considerations, or broader government funding decisions. The total funding available for the competition can change. The funders have the right to: • adjust the provisional funding allocations • apply a ‘ portfolio ’ approach The contract is completed at the end of the competition, and the successful organisation is expected to pursue commercialisation of their solution. Value Added Tax (VAT) You must select whether you are VAT registered before entering your eligible project costs. VAT is the responsibility of the invoicing business. We will not provide any further advice and suggest you seek independent advice from HMRC. VAT registered If you select you are VAT registered, you must enter your eligible project costs exclusive of VAT. As part of the application process VAT will be automatically calculated and added to your project cost total. Your total eligible project costs inclusive of VAT must not exceed £80,000. Not VAT registered If you select you are not VAT registered, you must enter your eligible project costs exclusive of VAT and no VAT will be added. You will not be able to increase total project costs to cover VAT later should you become VAT registered. Your total project costs must not exceed £80,000. Research and development (R&D) Your application must have at least 50% of the contract value attributed directly and exclusively to R&D services, including solution exploration and design. R&D can also include prototyping and field-testing the product or service. This lets you incorporate the results of your exploration and design and demonstrate that you can produce in quantity to acceptable quality standards. R&D does not include: • commercial develop

Before you start By submitting an application, you agree to the terms of the draft contract which is available once you start your application. The terms of the contract are non-negotiable and are included in the draft contract. We reserve the right to change the terms and conditions if necessary. The final contract will include any milestones you have agreed with the funding authority and will be sent to you if your application is successful. The contract is binding once it is returned by you and signed by both parties. When you start an application, you will be prompted to create an account as the lead applicant or sign in as a representative of your organisation. Using your account, you will be able to track your applications progress. As the applicant you are responsible for: • collecting the information for your application • representing your organisation in leading the project if your application is successful You will be able to invite colleagues from your organisation to contribute to the application. What happens next A selected panel of assessors will review and score your application. You will be notified of the outcome and feedback will be provided. Contracts for this competition will then be issued to all successful applicants. What we will ask you The application is split into four sections: • Project details. • Application questions. • Finances. • Project Impact. You must read the  guidance on applying for a competition on the Innovation Funding Service before you start. Before submitting, it is the lead applicant’s responsibility to make sure: • that all the information provided in the application is correct • your proposal meets the eligibility and scope criteria • all sections of the application are marked as complete You can reopen your application once submitted, up until the competition deadline. You must resubmit the application before the competition deadline. Accessibility and Inclusion We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to making our application process accessible to everyone. This includes making reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability or a long-term condition and face barriers applying to us. You can contact us at any time to ask for guidance. We recommend you contact us as soon as possible before this competition’s closing date to allow us to put the most suitable support in place. The support we can provide may be limited if you contact us close to the competition deadline. You can contact Innovate UK by email or call 0300 321 4357. Our phone lines are open from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm UK time, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). Project details This section provides background for your application and is not scored. Application details Give your project’s title, start date and duration. Who made you aware of the competition? Select a category to state who made you aware of the competition. You cannot choose more than one. How long has you