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Strategic Defence Review - Energetics Grant Structure Information notice

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

29 Oct 2026 at 13:30

Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

28 Oct 2026 at 19:14

Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence intends to offer grants for companies to build new UK facilities producing energetic materials: substances used in explosives and munitions. The aim is to establish sustainable domestic production, strengthen the security and resilience of the munitions supply chain, reduce reliance on overseas sources and encourage private investment. The programme may support up to six new energetics and munitions factories, through multiple grant windows. This grant competition is separate from feasibility and engineering-design work already under way; prior involvement in that work is not required. The intended delivery is in the United Kingdom. The procurement is described as supporting military research and technology (CPV 73410000), but its practical focus is investment in new production facilities rather than a research services contract.

This is at the planning stage: the Ministry has announced its intention to run grant windows, but has not yet invited applications. It expects a first window to open imminently, with applications accepted for six weeks, followed by selection and due diligence for shortlisted proposals. Grant award letters are intended within the current fiscal year. Further windows are expected in the second and fourth quarters of 2027, subject to need and change. The anticipated project period runs from 1 February 2027 to 31 March 2030. Individual proposals may seek between £1 million and £45 million, capped at 50% of total project cost, whichever is lower. Funding decisions will depend on proposal quality, value for money and strategic benefit. Assessment will cover economic viability, financing, technical credibility, military usefulness and regulatory strategy.

The programme is aimed at companies able to develop credible investment proposals for new UK energetic-material production capacity. Applicants will need to show that the project is commercially viable over the medium and long term and that they can finance the share of project costs not covered by a grant. Proposals should include a convincing delivery plan, addressing technical maturity, plant capability and maintainability, utilities, staffing, logistics, testing, storage, safety, environmental compliance, risks, costs and schedule. The proposed material should be a major ingredient in energetic formulations already used by UK forces, or a major component with potential use in UK systems. Small and medium-sized enterprises are identified as suitable. The Ministry will assess proposals through a technical panel; strong candidates will need relevant manufacturing expertise, credible delivery capacity and a robust regulatory approach.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Strategic Defence Review - Energetics Grant Structure Information notice

Notice Description

The UK government is acting on the Strategic Defence Review's recommendations by investing in the 'factories of the future' initiative, bringing energetics industries back to the UK, and strengthening our long-term national security by building up to six new energetics and munitions factories in the UK. The purpose of this notice is to communicate the Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) intention to open grant windows to support the construction of new energetic synthesis facilities. The MoD expects there to be multiple grant windows, during which companies may submit grant proposals. The grants are designed to establish new, sustainable UK production capacity for critical energetic materials. We are seeking to strengthen the resilience and security of our munitions supply chain, reduce reliance on overseas sources and unlock significant private investment in UK manufacturing. Advertisement of these grants will take place on the UK Government Find a Grant portal which will then provide a link to the application form on the Defence Sourcing Portal. Any company can apply to any or all investment windows regardless of having prior engagement with MoD however only one grant per project will be awarded. The first of these windows is planned to open imminently: This window will be open to applications for 6 weeks after which a down selection will take place based on the information provided in the application form. Those companies taken forward will be invited to further engage with the MoD to carry out due diligence and develop a grant award structure with the intention to issue Grant award letters to the successful companies within this fiscal year. Individual proposals will be eligible for grants of up to PS45 million or 50% of the overall cost, whichever is smaller. The overall level of investment will depend on the quality and value for money assessment of proposals received, with funding decisions taken across the programme to ensure investment is targeted where it can deliver the greatest strategic benefit. Companies with credible proposals to invest in new UK energetic materials production capability are encouraged to apply. The grant competition is separate from the feasibility and engineering-design work already under way, and companies do not need to have participated in those earlier stages to apply. Proposals will need to demonstrate that they are technically credible, economically viable and capable of delivering strategically important UK production capability. Further grant windows are expected in Q2 and Q4 of 2027, however these are dependent on MoD need and may be subject to change. MoD investment will sit alongside the wider support opportunities offered by HM Government as set out in previous communications with industry. Additional information: Proposals for Grants are expected to demonstrate the following which will be assessed by a MoD technical panel: Economic viability Demonstrate that the project is commercially viable over the medium and long term. Available financing Demonstrate that the applicant has access to the remainder of the funding required to deliver the proposal should a grant be awarded. Technical credibility (including deliverability of the proposal) A comprehensive and credible plan of how the project will be delivered (max 15,000 words). This may consider: Process and product technical maturity. Design basis and key assumptions. Plant capability, flexibility and maintainability. Utilities, staffing, logistics, testing and storage. Safety and regulatory feasibility. Uncertainty, risks and mitigations. Credibility of cost, schedule and delivery strategy. Military usefulness The MoD has previously communicated materials of interest within the SDR Energetics programme. To maximise the number of materials that can be proposed either of the following requirements should be met: The material is a major ingredient in energetic formulations and in UK service. The material is a major component in energetic formulations and is not in UK service but could have some applicability to UK systems. Regulatory strategy Demonstrate how the relevant regulatory requirements will be met ensuring that the highest standards of safety and environmental protection continue to be met throughout the grant process.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-bac6983c-d5aa-45a1-b409-7e6b3e654bc0
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d9223830-6f81-4a8e-98d3-949157837da6
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planned Procurement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73410000 - Military research and technology

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£45,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Oct 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
6 Nov 20263 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Ministry of Defence
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 8JH
Postcode Area
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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