Funding opportunity

CfI: counter UAS demonstrations in prison environments

• Opportunity status: Open
• Funders: UK Research and Innovation
• Funding type: Other
• Total fund: £900,000
• Award range: £40,000 - £80,000
• Publication date: 5 October 2026
• Opening date: 5 October 2026 9:30am UK time
• Closing date: 28 October 2026 11:00am UK time

See the full opportunity details on the Innovation Funding Service.

Organisations can apply for a share of £900,000, inclusive of VAT, to demonstrate and test low-cost counter uncrewed aerial system (UAS) technologies that are able to detect and track drones within UK prison estates.

This is a Contracts for Innovation (CfI) competition.

Eligibility summary

To lead a project, you can:

• be an organisation of any size, including those based in the EU, European economic areaEA or internationally
• work alone or with other organisations as subcontractors

Contracts will be awarded to a single legal entity only.