UK Dstl offers £2m in funding to support CBR technology

The UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has invited industry and academia to participate in the UK’s chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) programme.

The Dstl has made £2m in funding available for participants to develop new detection and protection or medical countermeasure to support UK policy, to maintain political and military freedom of action despite the presence, threat, or use of chemical, biological or radiological weapons.

Dstl CBR programme manager Mark Fulop said academia and industry’s expertise is vital for the success of Dstl’s CBR programme of work.

"Over the next few years an increasing share of the science and technology programme will be let externally, and we are excited about engaging further with industry to deliver against the programme," Fulop added.

CBRN-UK chairman Chris Abbott said the Dstl’s funding will enable both industry and academia to become more involved in MoD’s CBRN research programme.

"It was an excellent opportunity to bring together CBRN stakeholders from across UK government with industry, academia and international partners, to consider the key counter proliferation challenges that we face," Abbott added.

Available over the course of the next year, the funding can be accessed through Dstl by specific contracting announcements or through open and themed competitions with Dstl’s Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE).