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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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Provision of External Impact Evaluation Services
The HVM Catapult needs an independent external evaluation of the impact of its grant-funded activities across six technology and innovation centres. Two deliverables: an Early Findings Report by December 2026 validating the evaluation framework and establishing baseline measures, and a full impact report by March 2027.
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Closed
Homes for Net Zero Phase 3 (HfNZ P3)
DESNZ wants contractors to run Phase 3 of a multiyear trial monitoring approximately 1,250 owner-occupied homes being retrofitted for decarbonisation. Work includes trial management, longitudinal data collection, monitoring heat pump and alternative heating performance, and social research with occupants across two competitive lots.
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Closed
Exposure and Effects of Veterinary Medicines and Pesticides to Aquatic Wildlife in Protected Sites.
Natural England wants research on how veterinary medicines and pesticides expose aquatic wildlife in protected sites, using passive sampling and chemical analysis. The work will assess regulatory compliance and potential adverse effects, including mixture effects, to inform management practices.
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Closed
National Assessment of Rare Notchworts
Natural England needs a national assessment of two rare notchwort species (Gillmans notchwort and fen notchwort) to clarify their current distribution and status, and review their historical presence using herbarium specimens.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
LGA Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Leadership Essentials Course for Councillors
The LGA needs a supplier to update and deliver an in-person Leadership Essentials course on Local Government Reorganisation, aimed at councillors in authorities undergoing reorganisation. The programme will run twice: November 2026 and January 2027, with a maximum of 24 delegates per session.
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ClosedFramework
Corrosion Testing Framework for STEP
Establish a framework agreement with specialist corrosion testing providers to test high-temperature coolants, carrier gases, and materials against alloys for the STEP fusion programme over two years. Work includes testing interactions between coolants (water, supercritical CO2, helium), STEP alloys, and tritium breeding materials.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Laser Induced Desorption System for Measuring First Wall Retention in STEP
Concept design for a laser-based system to measure tritium retention in first wall materials for the UK's STEP fusion reactor prototype. The system must operate in a hostile environment with neutron radiation, magnetic fields, and thermal stress.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
CEFAS26-79 Macrofauna Analysis of Sediment Samples
Processing and taxonomic identification of 33 macrofaunal sediment samples from a dredged material disposal site near Falmouth. Work must follow NMBAQC guidelines, including extraction on 1.0 mm mesh, identification to lowest taxonomic level, biomassing, and quality audit.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
1053603399 T1402 Future management of PFAS for the GB rail industry
RSSB wants research into managing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) across GB railways. The work covers gap analysis, developing an assessment approach, practical guidance, and three case studies testing transition from aqueous film-forming foam to alternatives.
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Closed
Regional Clean Energy Skills Coordination and Action Planning
Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington needs a consultant or small team to implement their Clean Energy Skills Regional Action Plan from now until March 2027. The work involves coordinating with stakeholders, employers, and neighbouring regions to deliver skills interventions and guide the transition to clean energy jobs.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
LGA tender: evidence councils’ ambition to support young people into learning and work
The LGA wants a researcher to analyse evidence from councils about how they support young people into learning and work, and produce an executive summary identifying common themes and policy recommendations. The work will feed into the LGA's advocacy during development of a new government youth employment system.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
ESF DCT consensus support
NICE needs an independent supplier to design and run a structured expert consensus process to review and validate their developing Evidence Standards Framework for Digital Health Technologies. The supplier will facilitate expert input, help refine draft framework content, and report findings, while NICE retains final decision-making.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Production and Delivery of Shigella LPS
The MHRA wants Shigella LPS (lipopolysaccharide) produced and delivered. This is a bacterial endotoxin used in research and diagnostic work.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Independent Review of Public Space CCTV Provision in South Wales
The Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales needs an independent review of public space CCTV provision across seven local authority areas. The review will assess current arrangements, stakeholder needs, and make recommendations for sustainable future delivery.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
IWM/2627/APE/3510: Post-1945 Conflict Formative Audience Insight at IWM London & IWM Duxford
Imperial War Museums wants research into visitor and non-visitor awareness, motivations and interests regarding post-1945 conflict displays. The work covers both IWM London and IWM Duxford.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Violence Reduction Partnership Research and Evaluation
The West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership is seeking research and evaluation support across three lots: community research, general research and evaluation support, and evaluation of habitual knife carriers. Work runs until March 2027 with potential one-year extension.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
National Trust - NI- Independent Quality Assurance Process for Lough Neagh Roadmap to Recovery
The National Trust wants an independent quality assurance process to run alongside a consultancy developing the Lough Neagh Roadmap to Recovery. You'll design and deliver structured peer review and public review panels to assess and challenge recommendations for evidence, technical soundness, inclusivity, transparency, and community input.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendlyFramework
Marine Services Framework
Crown Estate Scotland is establishing a three-lot framework for marine services consultancy to support their 2026-31 corporate plan. They will appoint up to two suppliers per lot across technical consultancy, commercial and economic support, and seabed leasing advice.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
MBC-1665 Supported Housing Assessment
Melton Borough Council and a consortium of Leicestershire authorities and Rutland County Council need a supported housing assessment across nine local authority areas. The work involves mapping current supported housing availability and forecasting need over five years, following government guidance and including quantitative and qualitative analysis with stakeholder engagement.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Survey-based research on workers' experiences of low-paid work
The Low Pay Commission wants a two-wave survey of workers in low-paid jobs to explore their experiences of the National Living Wage and wider working life. Results due September 2027, final report November 2027.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendlyFramework
Research relating to the impacts of the minimum wage, 1-year projects (open call)
The Low Pay Commission seeks research on the impacts of the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage. Projects must deliver final reports by November 2027.
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Closed
DHSC_DfL National Reduce and Reuse MedTech Products Campaigns 2026
DHSC and NHS England want a supplier to run a circular economy programme for medical technology products. You'll recruit NHS Trusts to pilot and implement reuse and reduce initiatives, provide support during pilots, run quality and health economic assessments, and analyse adoption barriers.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
EU harmonised surveillance of AMR E. coli and Salmonella found in beef and pork
FSA wants a survey of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli in fresh beef and pork on UK retail shelves in 2027. This procurement is for survey design, sample collection at retail, and transport to the testing lab only; testing is a separate tender.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Heritage Consultant - Lymington Sea Water Baths
Lymington and Pennington Town Council wants a heritage consultant to produce a comprehensive historical and architectural review of the Lymington Sea Water Baths, a Grade II* listed structure from 1833. The work will support a National Lottery Heritage Fund project and inform future conservation and design decisions.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
EHRC 2627-17 Wales Equality Objective Research
The Equality and Human Rights Commission wants research to assess how well Welsh public bodies are meeting their public sector equality duty obligations. The work involves gathering and analysing performance data.