The Battery Innovation Programme is investing up to £2 million in this phase 1 Contracts for Innovation competition to accelerate innovative battery technologies that solve defence challenges. This is a competitive procurement of research and development where awards are subject to application quality and a portfolio approach. Progression to a potential phase 2 will depend on phase 1 outcomes and budget: Phase 2 is yet to be confirmed and may not be restricted solely to successful Phase 1 projects.

Read more about the available funding (closes 4 Nov at 11am).

About the competition

Scope

The aim of this programme is to enhance defence resilience and security of supply by accelerating the deployment of civil battery technologies to defence challenges, strengthening UK manufacturing, and reducing reliance on overseas suppliers. This programme targets industrial research, prioritising higher technology readiness level projects for rapid acceleration into operational service.

Projects must focus on defence-appropriate cell manufacturing or pack design and cover one or more challenge areas:

• resilient cell manufacturing (minimal foreign dependency)
• dual-use standardisation (cells, pack, or interface level)
• pack development (18650 vs 21700)
• high-performance infrastructure (UKHP facility progression)
• custom cell production (low-volume manufacture)

Mandatory Deliverables

Projects must deliver:

• a use case: demonstrating practical application, transparent supply resilience assumptions, and secure battery access aligned with MOD risk appetite
• an outline business case: detail the business need, market analysis, stakeholder engagement, and commercialisation plan

Outputs must be evidenced through simulation, prototyping, or trials. Participants are required to attend a programme event, and contracts will be awarded using a portfolio approach across challenge areas, markets, and maturities.