Background
Dstl is the Ministry of Defence (MOD)’s science and technology organisation, delivering innovative solutions that are essential for maintaining UK readiness in an increasingly dangerous and complex world. Given that people are the foundation of UK Defence’s capabilities, developing strategies to protect and improve their health and performance is a critical part of achieving this.
Research suggests that the composition and activity of the microbiome influences a potentially wide range of biological processes in humans, including immune regulation, cognitive function and the stress response. This has also prompted a wave of innovation, with a growing number of approaches and tools being developed to modify the microbiome with a view to improving health outcomes. Considering these developments, Dstl is keen to explore how engineering of the human microbiome could be used to enhance the resilience and performance of Defence personnel.
The Challenge
This challenge therefore invites applicants to participate in a two-day sandpit event which aims to connect cutting-edge discovery research with innovative solution providers against a backdrop of Defence requirements. Over the course of the event, it is expected that the activities planned will enable attendees to develop novel microbiome engineering concepts that are aligned to these requirements. Collectively, this will help to establish “the art of the possible” in terms of microbiome engineering for Defence personnel, as well as cultivating new partnerships with the necessary expertise to deliver this.
Dstl is keen to develop practical, credible and safe microbiome engineering solutions that could be used to:
- Increase resilience – Defence personnel are required to carry out physically and cognitively demanding tasks across a range of challenging environments. This exposes them to a unique and complex array of stressors, including shift work and sleep deprivation, pollutants, climatic extremes, stress, endemic pathogens, prolonged physical exertion, and high cognitive loads. Such stressors have been linked to disruption of the microbiome, with associated implications for personnel health and effectiveness. Whether microbiome engineering can be used to help shield personnel from the deleterious effects of these stressors is therefore of interest.
- Deliver human advantage – People are the foundation of UK Defence’s capabilities. From infantry on the ground, through to intelligence analysts, nurses, logisticians and engineers, we rely on them to carry out a variety of physically and cognitively demanding tasks under challenging conditions. As such, enhancing the human element of military capability across a full spectrum of roles represents a considerable opportunity to provide UK Defence with a competitive edge. Whether microbiome engineering can be used to enhance physical and/or cognitive performance via various gut-organ axes or other mechanisms is therefore of interest.
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Whilst it is not expected that functional requirements will be addressed by the end of the seeding awards, when fully matured the desired characteristics of a solution will likely reflect the need for compatibility with the scale and complexity of the Defence enterprise. Examples of this may include:
- Self-administration (e.g. oral capsule/solution)
- Long shelf life (i.e. >6 months)
- Stable across a range of potential operating environments
- Cost-effective scalability of dose manufacturing
- Minimal side effects
- Strong safety profile among diverse groups
The challenge is amenable to solutions ranging from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2 to 6. This can therefore include high-risk high-reward proof-of-concept activities as well as the repurposing of relatively mature products/interventions.
Any technical work supported by the resulting seeding awards will need to comply with relevant UK legislation, policy and guidance. This may include but is not limited to:
- JSP536 – Defence research involving human participants
- Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA)
Out of Scope
The remit of Dstl centres upon innovative approaches and emerging technology. Therefore, solutions focused on existing commercial-off-the-shelf products, behaviour change and healthy eating will be considered out of scope.
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Funding will be made available to support concept maturation activities following the sandpit event. This could include: addressing knowledge gaps, secondary data analysis, proof-of-concept or feasibility studies, pilot testing to support future funding applications, and product refinement. Successful projects that arise from the sandpit can receive up to a maximum of £300,000. This amount represents the maximum total funding available, not necessarily a per-project allocation. As such, it is expected that this will fund two short-term projects costing approximately £150,000 each. Attendance at the sandpit does not guarantee funding, and progression beyond the event will depend on the quality of proposals received.
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- Launch of the Competition: Wednesday 29th October
- Deadline for applications: Friday 5th December
- Selection and notification of finalists: 15th December
- Date of Sandpit: First week of February 2026
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The sandpit will focus on how engineering of the human microbiome could help to enhance the resilience and performance of Defence personnel. Accordingly, applications that do not clearly articulate their alignment to one or more of the following will be considered out of scope:
- microbiome engineering,
- underpinning research areas (e.g. microbiology, nutrition, immunology, neuroscience)
- enablers (e.g. modelling, -omics, data resources, pre-clinical research, product development, licencing, manufacturing, human trials)
Applicants must also be affiliated with an academic institution or registered company to be eligible for the event.
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The application form for this challenge will require applicants to provide the following:
- Company Overview: Enter your organisation/company name, organisation/company registration number, address and contact details.
- Company Size: For companies please state your company size (number of employees): Micro (1-10); Small (11-50); Medium (51-250); Large (251+).
- Idea Summary: Expertise summary (max 300 words) – A short professional bio highlighting how the applicant’s knowledge and experience will help to deliver the aims of the sandpit.
- Technology Readiness: Capability summary (max 300 words) – A brief description of the skills, capabilities, and access to infrastructure and/or specialised equipment that the applicant could contribute as part of a collaborative team.
Participants are also encouraged to upload a CV as a supporting document to support their application.