Contracts
Research & development
Public sector contract notices in research & development, from Find a Tender and Contracts Finder.
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Research & development notices
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Pd Ag Functional Testing
UK Fusion Energy needs testing and manufacturability trials for palladium-silver membrane assemblies for hydrogen separation in their STEP fuel cycle system. Work includes annealing, brazing, and diffusion bonding trials with microstructural characterisation, hardness testing, and destructive testing of finished assemblies.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
Ashford Borough Council needs a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (Level 1) prepared for the borough in line with national policy and guidance. The work involves research, analysis and a formal report to support planning and flood management decisions.
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Closed
Provision of Problem Solving Support
The College of Policing wants a consultant to help police forces develop and refine problem-solving plans to reduce knife crime in identified hotspot areas across England and Wales. The initial phase is three months from July 2026, with possible extension to 12 months total and further related work if funding allows.
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Closed
Research into the Business and Operational Needs of the Arts Sector in Wales
Arts Council of Wales wants research into the business and operational needs of arts organisations, freelancers and individuals across Wales. The focus is on organisational capability, systems, skills gaps, and forward-looking trends - not creative or artistic practice.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Assessing the wider value of agri-environment scheme heritage actions for the natural environment and for people
Natural England needs a scoping review of evidence on the benefits of agri-environment scheme heritage actions - covering biodiversity, soil, water, carbon, landscape and public access. You'll deliver a literature review, findings report, infographic, and webinar by mid-March 2027.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
ENQ1304 - Derby Culture Strategic Review
Derby City Council wants a consultant or consortium to review the city's cultural infrastructure, governance, organisational structure and investment model. The work runs from mid-July 2026 to late February 2027.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Protect and Prepare Capability (Role Player)
Supply role-players, catering, transport, accommodation, filming and logistics for live counter-terrorism security testing trials in September and October 2026. The work supports the National Counter Terrorism Security Office's Protect and Prepare Capability Testing project.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Organisational Development Partner
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board needs an organisational development partner to support cultural change and collaborative working across their system. The work involves coaching and facilitation at board, executive, and wider leadership levels to build trust and embed collaborative behaviours.
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Closed
Provision of Security Systems Services
Bedford College needs a security systems service provider to maintain and test equipment across campuses in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, and Northamptonshire. The contract runs for up to four years on annual renewal terms.
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ClosedFramework
ITT - Building Conservation Framework – Paints and Coatings Technology (UID 45)
Historic England is recruiting consultants to join a framework providing specialist advice on paints and coatings for historic buildings. Work will cover selection, specification, performance and conservation of paint systems on timber, lime plasters, stone, brick, metals and other traditional substrates.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Invitation to Tender for the development and delivery of an Age Friendly Project through Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council PEACEPLUS programme
ABC Borough Council is seeking a service provider to develop and deliver an Age Friendly Project aimed at improving quality of life for older people in the area. The work aligns with their PEACEPLUS-funded Local Action Plan and the ABC Age Friendly Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2025.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
The Wash and North Norfolk Coast SAC intertidal rock monitoring
Natural England needs an intertidal rock monitoring survey at The Wash and North Norfolk Coast SAC, collecting biotope data to EUNIS level 5 & 6 and assessing condition against five attributes. Fieldwork runs mid-April to mid-October 2026, with a final report due February 2027.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
exploring the views of children and young people to inform the GMC review of its 0-18 years
The GMC wants research to gather the views and experiences of children and young people on topics covered in their guidance for the care of under-18s. This will inform updates to that guidance.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Regenerative Schools Pilot - Academic Assurance Partner
The Department for Education is seeking an academic assurance partner for its Regenerative Schools Pilot, a research programme testing ultra-low-carbon school buildings using regenerative approaches, bio-based materials, and new construction methods. The role involves supporting delivery of prototype single and dual classroom buildings as part of a wider £33 million R&D investment to 2029-30.
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Closed
C0151:Solidarity Fund Scoping Contract (Learning,Development, Evaluation, and Monitoring Framework)
The National Lottery Community Fund needs a contractor to scope two future contracts and design a monitoring framework for its Solidarity Fund-a £250m programme of large grants (£1m–£5m) to charitable organisations tackling inequality. You'll define the evaluation approach, learning support scope, and data collection methods for a portfolio expected to reach 60 projects by 2030.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Regenerative Schools Pilot - Innovation Lead
The Department for Education is seeking an innovation lead to head a research and development programme testing regenerative approaches to school building design, including ultra-low-carbon buildings, energy storage, and bio-based materials like timber. The role will shape the department's education estate strategy over the next decade.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendlyFramework
ITT - National Blue Plaque Scheme Freelance Historian Framework - UID 199M
Historic England wants to build a framework of up to 10 freelance historians to research and write reports on candidates for the National Blue Plaque scheme. Work will be ongoing with individual commissions as nominations come in.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
SCC - KS - RFQ - Employment Support Services
Surrey County Council wants an external organisation to map employment and skills support services available to Surrey residents, and produce a self-serving directory for residents and providers.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Blockhouse Experimental Area Vision and Audio Monitoring System
The UK Atomic Energy Authority needs a feasibility study and pre-conceptual design for vision and audio monitoring systems to observe a tritium breeding experiment facility (LIBRTI) during operation. The equipment must withstand neutron and gamma radiation exposure.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
South Rigg MCZ Monitoring report and feasibility study
JNCC needs a monitoring report and feasibility study for South Rigg Marine Conservation Zone, analysing offshore survey data to assess habitat condition and conservation objectives. The work will synthesise survey outputs, historical data, and pressures assessments into a structured assessment.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Technical Support for Steel and Metals
The Department for Business and Trade needs expert technical input to support UK steel and aluminium sectors, including engineering advice and market analysis. The work will help DBT engage with industry firms on commercial sustainability and emerging technologies.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
GMH Technical Consultant Procurement in Indonesia
WRAP needs a consultant or team to analyse food loss and waste in Indonesian rice supply chains, from farm to household. The work includes collecting operational data, identifying root causes, piloting interventions at 1–2 sites, and measuring outcomes against methane and waste reduction targets.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
GMH Technical Consultant Procurement in Indonesia
WRAP is looking for a consultant or team to analyse food loss and waste across Indonesian rice supply chains, from farm through to household. The work includes collecting operational data, identifying root causes of waste, piloting interventions at 1–2 sites, and measuring results against methane and food waste reduction indicators.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Developing a data-led, integrated digital platform to support strategic decision-making across the UK zero-emission aviation ecosystem
Design and build a hydrogen dashboard MVP - a digital platform with integrated data visualisations and scenario modelling tools to help stakeholders make strategic decisions about zero-emission aviation in the UK.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Provision of Provision of a Graphite Technical Advisory Committee (GTAC) and Research in the Area of Nuclear Graphite Structural Integrity for the Office for Nuclear Regulation
The Office for Nuclear Regulation needs a Graphite Technical Advisory Committee and research support on nuclear graphite structural integrity for the UK's Advanced Gas Cooled Reactors. The work covers graphite dimensional change, oxidation, cracking, and safety case assessment.