UK MOD seeks novel approaches to solve medical challenges
Whether you’re based in a university, leading a startup, or a more mature organisation, DASA offers opportunities to take innovative medical ideas forward. Its approach includes themed challenge competitions, open funding calls where the applicant proposes an idea and horizon scanning activity on behalf of Government defence and security customers, all of which seek out fresh thinking from across sectors.
Not just military—medical too
DASA identifies and funds technologies that support national defence and security—but many of its themes overlap with public health needs. Previous projects have tackled infection control, wearable health monitors, regenerative wound care, and real-time diagnostics for emergency scenarios. These innovations are now being explored for NHS use and other civilian applications.
New this week: Trauma wound market exploration
This week, DASA has launching a Market Exploration focused on conflict wound management. It’s open to researchers, med tech companies, and clinical innovators to share ideas and insights related to modelling and monitoring injuries sustained in combat environments.
Whether you're developing bio-responsive dressings, methods for better understanding injury to skin, muscle or bone, or monitoring tools, this exploration offers a chance to connect with the Defence Medical Services and shape future funding priorities. This call is specifically seeking novel ways to model and monitor conflict wounds.
The closing date is 30 September - See further details here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/understanding-injury-dasa-seeks-innovations-in-conflict-wound-research
Themed competition: Tackling Non-Compressible Haemorrhage
Also coming this summer is a new themed competition targeting Non-Compressible Haemorrhage—a critical challenge in trauma and battlefield medicine. DASA is seeking engineering technology-driven solutions and technologies that can:
- Control haemorrhage where traditional methods fail, or
- Improve survival rates in remote or resource-limited settings.
This competition could make a real impact for trauma surgeons, medical device developers, and biotech firms focused on advanced haemostatic technologies.
Getting involved is easy
You don’t need defence credentials to participate—just a strong idea and a drive to solve real-world problems. Here's how:
- Head to DASA’s official portal to get started, or contact DASA by reaching out to a DASA Innovation Partner for guidance.
- Look at the pipeline of upcoming opportunities to see what challenges are coming up. Watch for newly launched funding competitions and market explorations- Medical innovations are welcome anytime as long as they meet the competition criteria.
- Sign up to hear about all new DASA innovation calls.
Why this matters
DASA’s work goes beyond defence—it supports dual-use innovations with the potential to transform civilian healthcare. From better emergency response tools to smarter wearables and mental health solutions, the ripple effects reach everyone.
Whether you're working in biotech, diagnostics, clinical innovation, or digital health, DASA offers a platform to turn ideas into impact.