08.04.20
DASA launches £1m fund as ‘call for innovation’ to tackle Covid-19
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has launched a £1m fund today (Apr 8) to ‘fast-track innovation’ in helping the Armed Forces in the fight against coronavirus.
The opportunity, launched with support from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), is open to any new idea or approach that could expand capabilities of the Ministry of Defence’s efforts in tackling this virus or similar threats in the future.
Head of DASA Anita Friend said:
“This is a broad call for innovation, meaning we are open to any idea from anybody to solve or tackle any challenge.
“If you think you have a great idea that can help us in these unprecedented times, then we want to hear from you.”
The fund is looking for rapid responses and will open today for one week, closing midday Apr 15 for assessment of the first set of proposals. However, proposals will still be accepted for consideration by DASA after the 15th.
It follows another call to action from DASA this month for rapid sanitising technology for ambulances, which attracted more than 200 proposals in the first week.
Director of Defence Innovation, Clare Cameron commended innovators and industry on their remarkable response to the coronavirus outbreak, adding that “This investment will unleash the power of innovation to rapidly help us in the national effort against coronavirus.”
“That is why £1m has been allocated to launch this rapid response call today seeking the very best ideas from innovators”
Proposals should have the capacity or permission to deliver the project whilst adhering to current working restrictions. Existing products or services on the market will not be considered, as the investment is aimed at novel innovation solutions.