Ministry of Defence area of research interest · first published 15 January 2018
The MOD's Areas of Research Interest (ARIs) document sets out the broad themes of science, technology and analysis that the department wants to explore — things like defence and security challenges at a strategic level. It is not a list of contracts or funded projects; it is a signalling document to help researchers and academia understand what the MOD cares about. It was produced in response to the 2015 Nurse Review of Research Councils, which called for government to be clearer about its own research needs. For small businesses, the main practical value is knowing which themes the MOD is interested in, and that the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is the right door to knock on if you want to submit a research proposal.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
THE ENKII VIEW
This document is primarily aimed at academia and research institutes rather than commercial suppliers, so most SMEs will find it low-relevance unless they operate in defence research or dual-use technology. The key opportunity for innovative small firms is the explicit pointer to the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) as the submission route for research proposals — DASA is well-known for funding SME-led R&D. However, because we only have the summary and not the full PDF, the specific research themes cannot be confirmed here.
1. Read the full MOD ARI PDF (available on GOV.UK) to identify which high-level research themes align with your firm's capabilities, then use that alignment explicitly in any funding or proposal submissions to DASA.
SMEs working in defence, security or dual-use research and technology — The document exists to signal MOD priorities — proposals framed around these themes are more likely to resonate with MOD evaluators.
2. Submit research proposals directly to the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) at accelerator@dstl.gov.uk — this is the official route named in the document.
SMEs with innovative defence or security technology — The document explicitly directs research proposals to DASA, making this the correct and sanctioned entry point for SMEs seeking MOD research funding.
3. Send feedback on the ARI themes to dst-strategysecretariat@mod.uk to help shape future iterations of the document.
SMEs wanting to influence MOD research priorities — The document invites feedback, giving engaged SMEs a rare opportunity to influence how MOD frames its research needs.
Every rule below quotes the official document verbatim.
The document sets out high-level themes of science and analysis interest for the MOD — it is not a list of funded projects. (MOD research and science community, academia, and research institutes.)
“It is not a list of projects but rather themes around which defence's challenges exist.”
The ARIs were created to give a more systematic public expression of the government's own research needs, improving transparency. (All potential research partners engaging with MOD.)
“a more systematic expression of Government's own research needs' in order to develop a more sophisticated dialogue with academia and UK research institutes.”
The document aligns to and supports the MOD Science and Technology Strategy. (MOD and its research partners.)
“This document aligns to and supports the MOD science and technology strategy.”
Research proposals should be submitted to the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) at accelerator@dstl.gov.uk. (Any organisation wishing to submit research proposals to MOD.)
“To submit research proposals please contact the Defence and Security Accelerator: accelerator@dstl.gov.uk”
Feedback on the ARI document should be sent to the MOD Strategy Secretariat. (Any organisation engaging with MOD on research themes.)
“If you have any feedback on this document please send it to: dst-strategysecretariat@mod.uk”
This briefing is enkii's interpretation of the official document — the official text always governs.
Source document © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0 via the GOV.UK Content API. enkii tracks every Procurement Policy Note and briefs changes the day they land — see all briefings.