Research & development
Public sector contract notices in research & development, from Find a Tender.
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Research & development notices
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715928480-CUAS Exploration
The Ministry of Defence is seeking organisations to accelerate development of counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS), with particular interest in laser directed energy weapons. Phase 1 aims to identify and fund technology developers to progress existing systems towards deployable maturity, not to deliver a complete operational system.
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Small-firm friendly
1063173918 T1421 Uniformity and consistency of braking within a freight train
RSSB wants research into why braking performance varies across freight train wagons. The work involves static testing and analysis to develop recommendations for improving consistency.
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Framework
PS26195 - Futures Procurement Framework
DSIT is establishing an open framework to register consultants and researchers who can deliver futures thinking services to UK government and public bodies. Work covers trend analysis, scenario development, policy testing, and capability building in strategic foresight.
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Provision of a deep geothermal solution
Countess of Chester Hospital seeks a development partner to design and deliver a deep geothermal heating solution for the hospital site. The work is structured around staged gateways with Salix PSDS grant funding drawdown, potentially leading to a long-term Energy Services Agreement.
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Small-firm friendlyFramework
Funding Proposal Support and Review Services Framework (LSHW.008.2026)
Life Sciences Hub Wales wants to set up a framework of up to three bid writing and funding review consultants to provide ad-hoc support when internal capacity is stretched. The work covers the full range of their funding proposal services.
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Small-firm friendly
ID 6543869 - Managing Agent for InterTradeIreland Innovation Boost Programme (Phase VII)
InterTradeIreland seeks a managing agent to deliver the Innovation Boost Phase VII programme. The work runs from October 2026 (setup) through December 2033 (delivery phase).
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Small-firm friendly
Strategaeth Economaidd Sir y Fflint / Flintshire Economic Strategy
Flintshire County Council needs an external consultant to develop a 10-year Economic Strategy for the area. The strategy must align with national and regional programmes, support cross-border opportunities, and drive sustainable inclusive growth.
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Closed
LGA children's improvement - Health Engagement Advisors (HEA) with notice
The LGA needs two Health Engagement Advisers to support councils and ICBs on SEND improvement and reform. Roles run until 31 March 2027, combining remote and face-to-face work at £700 per day.
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Small-firm friendly
Investment Zone Skills Programme
Cardiff Capital Region is seeking a Lead Managing Agent to run Phase 1 of an Investment Zone Skills Programme across priority sectors including semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and AI. The role covers programme management, employer engagement, funding administration, performance management and skills delivery planning.
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Small-firm friendly
RFQ - Investigating the hygrothermal and dynamic thermal properties of English traditional solid wall construction for resilience in a changing climate - literature review and gap analysis (UID 332)
Historic England needs a literature review and gap analysis on how traditional English solid walls perform thermally and manage moisture, particularly under future climate scenarios and when retrofitted with insulation. The findings will be written up for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
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Flow Derivation Reviews
Review flow derivation methods at 13 Environment Agency gauging stations to assess accuracy and reliability of existing systems. Develop improved methods where justified, including modelled high-flow ratings for one station.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
ITT - Martyn’s Law guidance and case studies - UID 324
Historic England needs research and writing to produce non-statutory guidance for heritage sites on complying with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. The work includes developing fictional case studies showing how heritage premises can implement counter-terrorism procedures.
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Small-firm friendly
Kharkiv Multimodal Interchange Pre-Feasibility Study
The Department for Transport wants a pre-feasibility study for a new multimodal transport interchange in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The work includes assessing current infrastructure, mapping development proposals, and recommending a preferred option.
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Small-firm friendly
Ymarfer Gwrando Dwfn Rhaglen Marmot Marmot Programme Deep Listening Exercise
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council wants a research provider to design and deliver a deep listening exercise for the Marmot Programme. The work involves engaging residents across the borough to gather qualitative and quantitative insights on lived experiences, analyse findings, and produce reports to guide future health policy and interventions.
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Small-firm friendly
Moveable Shielding Concept Design Study
UK Fusion Energy seeks a concept design study for moveable shielding as part of the STEP prototype fusion power plant at West Burton, Nottinghamshire. The study will inform the detailed design phase of this first-of-a-kind UK fusion facility.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Provision of Advice and Information Services on relevant Global and EU policy developments on Agriculture and Related Environment Policies and Nature Conservation Matters
Natural England needs advice and information services on global and EU policy developments affecting agriculture, environment, and nature conservation for the Land Use Policy Group (LUPG). The work involves monitoring policy changes and their potential domestic implications across the UK devolved nations.
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Small-firm friendly
Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Needs Assessment
Isle of Wight Council wants an external researcher to carry out a domestic abuse and sexual violence needs assessment. The assessment will inform future service commissioning, development and strategy over a 4–6 month contract period.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Foulness SPA Ornithological Surveys, Intertidal Survey and Mapping
Natural England wants over-wintering bird surveys, biotope sampling and mapping at Foulness SPA between November 2026 and March 2027. The work includes intertidal survey and mapping.
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Small-firm friendly
Salinity Sample Analysis
The Scottish Government's Marine Directorate needs analysis of salinity samples collected during survey work. The notice gives no detail on sample volume, frequency, timescale, or methodology.
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Small-firm friendly
Biomass Research Programme
DESNZ is commissioning four years of research on biomass and bioenergy-lifecycle emissions, feedstock availability, sustainability criteria, economic modelling, and bioeconomy potential-to support net zero policy. Output will be reports, models, datasets, and policy briefings.
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Small-firm friendly
Digital Transformation Partnership Engagement
The GDC is seeking a digital transformation partner to support significant organisational change over 3-5 years, covering areas including IT strategy, cloud migration, digital capability, service design, and technology modernisation. This is a multi-stage competitive procedure; only those passing the participation stage will be invited to bid.
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Small-firm friendly
Source Attribution Studies to Understand Transmission Pathways and AMR Origins
FSA wants a supplier to perform whole genome sequencing and source attribution analysis on infectious intestinal disease samples from the IID3 study, to understand transmission pathways and antimicrobial resistance origins. The work involves bioinformatics analysis of existing datasets over a minimum 24 months with an optional 6-month extension.
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Small-firm friendlyFramework
Port of Dover - Customer Experience Consultant Framework
Dover Harbour Board is setting up a framework for customer experience consultants to support their IGNITE programme. The framework will be used to procure consultancy services for customer-facing improvements and satisfaction work.
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Small-firm friendly
Detailed design and build of a scaled down Fast Acting Low Conductance (FALCON)
Design and build a scaled-down prototype Fast Acting Low Conductance isolation valve for fusion energy exhaust systems. The valve must close within 37.5 milliseconds and maintain vacuum integrity.
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Scottish Government Centres of Expertise x 4 Lots
Scottish Government is seeking service providers to operate four separate centres of expertise covering climate change, animal disease outbreaks, nature/water/environment, and plant health. Each is a separate lotted contract.