CfI: Counter UAS Demonstrations in Prison Environments
This Contracts for Innovation competition seeks high-TRL, low-cost counter-UAS solutions to detect, track, and deter drones around UK prisons using SAPIENT architecture, resulting in a working prototype for trials by March 2027.
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Competition Scope & Overview
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) R&D Missions Accelerator Programme (R&D MAP), will invest up to £900,000 from the Safer Streets Mission in this Contracts for Innovation competition.
This competition is operated by Innovate UK on behalf of the R&D MAP within UKRI.
This is subject to us receiving a sufficient number of high quality applications. The aim of the competition is to demonstrate and test an innovative, high technology readiness level (TRL), low cost, counter uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) that can detect and track uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) to deter or defeat drone flights within UK prison estates.
As per The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Prisons and Young Offender Institutions) (England and Wales) Regulations 2023, it is an offence to fly drones within 400 metres of prisons and young offender institutions.
The successful solution will autonomously detect and track a wide range of UAVs as, or shortly before, they cross the prison estate perimeter. It will provide real time alerts to prison staff, notifying them to the presence of such UAVs.
Solutions must adopt Sensing for Asset Protection with Integrated Electronic Networked Technology (SAPIENT) architecture and connectivity to enable interoperability with a range of external sensors and non-kinetic effector countermeasure modules. We particularly encourage solutions which can identify the drone type where possible, and solutions which have their own integrated non-kinetic effector countermeasures.
Successful applicants will propose solutions that will be affordable to purchase and operate, and will provide a robust, representative, working prototype by the end of February 2027, fit for independent test and evaluation trials planned for March 2027.
In applying to this competition, you are entering into a competitive process. This competition has a funding budget of up to £900,000, so we may not be able to fund all the proposed projects.
It may be the case that your project scores highly and receives positive comments from the assessors but we are still unable to fund it due to the portfolio approach we take.
Any adoption and implementation of a solution from this competition would be subject to a separate, possibly competitive, procurement exercise. This competition does not cover the purchase of any solution.
We expect to receive a high volume of applications and will not be able to fund them all. We expect to award a maximum of 22 contracts.
We consider a range of factors when determining whether to provide funding to applicants. This includes an assessment of prior conduct, such as any outstanding payments owed to Innovate UK or UKRI. Such factors may influence the funding decision, potentially resulting in a refusal of funding or an award subject to additional scrutiny.
We also reserve the right to adjust funding allocations for any of our competitions. This may be in response to changes in policy, portfolio funding considerations or broader government funding decisions.
This competition closes at 11am UK time on the deadline stated in this Innovate UK competition brief. We cannot guarantee other government or third party sites will always show the correct competition information.
Official Applicant Guidance Documents
APPLICANT BRIEFING CfI Counter UAS in Prison Environments.pdf
These are the official applicant briefing slides for the Innovate UK "Contracts for Innovation: Counter UAS in Prison Environments" competition. They outline the 2-month project timeline, scope requirements, and application procedures to guide potential suppliers through submission.
Download Official DocumentWebinar QandA - CfI Counter UAS Demonstrations in Prison Environments.pdf
This document is an official Innovate UK Q&A FAQ sheet for the Counter UAS in Prison Environments competition. It provides critical clarification on eligibility, SAPIENT compliance, weather resilience, and low-cost lifecycle expectations for prospective applicants.
Download Official DocumentCfI Counter UAS Demonstrations in Prison Environments - assessor guidance for applicants.pdf
This official Innovate UK assessor guidance document details the evaluation criteria, scoring bands (1–10), and specific questions applicants must address for the Counter UAS Demonstrations in Prison Environments competition.
Download Official DocumentApplication Questions & Guidance Brief
Every question below carries specific word limits and guidance criteria.
Project and scope summary
Official Guidance
Provide a short summary of your project. Describe your project briefly. Be clear about what makes it innovative and how it relates to the scope of the competition. How does it tackle different aspects of the challenge and how will it provide an integrated solution? Give details of the lead organisation. Before you submit, we expect you to have discussed your application within your organisation.
Public description
Official Guidance
Provide a brief description of your project. If your application is successful, we will publish this description. This can happen before you start your project. This question is mandatory, but we will not assess this content as part of your application. Describe your project in a way that you are happy to see published. Do not include any commercially sensitive information. We have the right to amend the description before publication if necessary but will consult you about any changes.
Applicant location
Official Guidance
You must state the name of your organisation along with your full registered address. You must also state the name and full registered address of any potential or confirmed subcontractors. We are collecting this information to understand the geographical location of all participants of a project.
Technology type (not scored)
Official Guidance
List the types of drones and their command control link that your proposed solution will be capable of detecting, tracking and where possible, identifying. You must state the countermeasure which can be deployed, if applicable to your proposed solution.
Animal testing (not scored)
Official Guidance
Will your project involve any trials with animals or animal testing? You must select one option: Yes, No. We will only support innovation projects conducted to the highest standards of animal welfare. Further information for proposals involving animal testing is available at the UKRI Good Research Hub and NC3R’s animal welfare guidance.
Permits and licences (not scored)
Official Guidance
Will you have the correct permits and licences in place to carry out your project? We are unable to fund projects which do not have the correct permits or licences in place by your project start date. You must select one option: Yes, No, In the process of being applied for, Not applicable.
International collaboration (not scored)
Official Guidance
Does your proposed work involve any international collaboration or engagement? You must provide details of any expected international collaboration or engagement. You must include a list of the names and the countries, any international project co-leads, project partners, visiting researchers, or other collaborators are based in. You must also include details of any subcontractors or service providers. If your proposed work does not involve international collaboration or engagement, your answer must confirm this.
Export licence (not scored)
Official Guidance
You must indicate whether an export control license is required for this project under the academic export control guidance. You must select one option: Yes, No.
Trusted Research and Innovation (not scored)
Official Guidance
You must explain if your proposed project work relates to UKRI’s Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) Principles, including: a list of any dual use (both military and non-military) applications to your research; a list of the areas where your project is relevant to one or more of the 17 areas of the UK National Security and Investment (NSI) Act; whether an export control license is required for this project under the academic export control guidance and the status of any applications; a list of any items or substances on the UK Strategic Export Control List. If your proposed work does not relate to UKRI’s TR&I Principles, your answer must confirm this. We may ask you to provide additional TR&I information at a later date, in line with UKRI TR&I Principles and funding terms and conditions.
Proposed idea or technology
Official Guidance
How does the project meet the challenge described in the competition scope? Provide a description of your proposed idea or technology. Include a description of the current state of development or readiness of the idea. You can submit a single appendix as a PDF containing images and diagrams to support your answer. It must be a PDF no larger than 10MB. It can be up to two A4 pages and must be legible at 100% zoom. This question will be scored against this assessment criterion: ‘How well does the proposal meet the challenge?’.
Technical project summary
Official Guidance
What are the main technical challenges you are addressing? Explain: how you will address the challenge; what the innovation is; the main technical deliverables; the research and development that will prove the scientific, environmental and commercial merit of the project; what might be achieved by deploying the innovation to address the selected challenge. This question will be scored against this assessment criterion: ‘How valid is the technical approach?’.
Current state of the art and intellectual property
Official Guidance
Are similar products currently available in the market? How is your proposed project differentiated from them? You must include details of: any existing intellectual property (IP); its significance to your freedom to operate; novel concepts you develop or employ; new approaches or technologies you use; new tools or technologies. You must explain how you would handle any intellectual property (IP) issues which might arise during the project. If you are working with subcontractors (specialist skills only), include details of how you will maintain freedom to operate and fulfil the IP requirements detailed in the contract. This question will be scored against these assessment criteria: how innovative is this project; how much does the project develop or employ novel concepts, approaches, methodologies, tools or technologies for this area; how well does the project demonstrate understanding of relevant IP and its significance on freedom to operate.
Project plan and methodology
Official Guidance
Describe your project plan and identify the main milestones, including: solution development and modification to meet the technical requirements; participation in testing and evaluation. Provide evidence that the technology works, can be made into a viable product and can achieve the proposed benefits. You must: describe resources that will be needed to deliver the project; describe what the main success criteria will be; identify the project management processes that will ensure you achieve the milestones; provide a clear plan for establishing technical and commercial feasibility; describe the main technical, commercial and environmental risks and what you will do to mitigate them; include a milestone for solution development and modification to meet the technical requirements; include a milestone for participation in testing and evaluation activities. You must upload a project plan or Gantt chart as an appendix in PDF format. It must be a PDF no larger than 10MB. It can be up to two A4 pages and must be legible at 100% zoom. Your milestones must: be clear; be defined using SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound) criteria; be associated with the appropriate deliverables and payments; indicate your payment schedule by month. This question will be assessed against these assessment criteria: does the proposal show a clear plan for establishing technical and commercial feasibility; is there a clear management plan; what are the main technical, commercial, and environmental risks to the project’s success; how will these be effectively managed; are the milestones and evaluation procedures appropriate. Note that information from the finances section will be used to support the assessment of this question. Proposed milestones and associated payments stated in this section must match those entered in the finance summary on your application.
Technical team and expertise
Official Guidance
Who is in the technical team? What expertise do they offer? Provide a brief description of your technical team, including any subcontractors. Describe: how each organisation has the skills, capabilities, and experience to deliver the intended benefits; how much of their time will be spent on the project in days. This question will be scored against this assessment criterion: Does the applicant have the skills, capabilities and experience to deliver the intended benefits?
Costs and value for money
Official Guidance
How much will the project cost? How does it represent value for money for the team and the taxpayer? Describe: the total costs inclusive of VAT (If applicable) you are requesting in terms of the project goals; how this project represents value for money for you and the taxpayer. Proposed costs stated in this section must match those entered in the finance summary. All costs quoted must reflect actual costs at a fair market value and not include profit. You can submit a single appendix as a spreadsheet in PDF format. It must be a PDF no larger than 10MB. It can be up to two A4 pages and must be legible at 100% zoom. Note that all payments are made monthly in arrears on submission of an invoice. The invoice must be submitted within 30 days of the end of each monitoring period for all completed milestones. Full Economic Cost (FEC) calculations are not relevant for Contracts for Innovation competitions. The assessors are required to judge the application finances in terms of value for money. They will score your finances against this assessment criterion: ‘Are the budget and costs realistic, justified and appropriate for the aims and methods? Note that the information from the finances section will be used to support the assessment of this question.
Commercial potential
Official Guidance
What is the commercial potential of your project? You must focus on your proposed customer’s needs. Describe your: timescales; projects commercial potential for a marketable product, process or service; delivery plan; expected route to market. Describe the competitive advantage that your project has over existing or alternative technologies that meet market needs. Describe any existing commercial relationships relevant to the project. With the focus on your proposed customer’s needs, you can also mention the future commercial potential across the public or private sector and international markets. This question will be scored against these assessment criteria: is there a clear commercial potential for a marketable product, process or service; is there a clear plan to deliver that and a clear route to market; how significant is the competitive advantage of this technology over the nearest currently available solutions to the challenge identified.