Grants for AI Bomb Disposal Tech from HMGCC Co-Creation

The HMGCC Co-Creation programme (an initiative between His Majesty's Government Communications Centre, HMGCC, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Dstl) announces a 12-week funded challenge aimed at developing machine learning solutions for x-ray image analysis in explosive ordnance disposal. The main objective of the project is to create software that assists bomb disposal operatives and engineers in identifying, characterizing, and understanding the function of electronic components within complex explosive device switching circuits.

Disarming improvised explosive devices (IEDs) carries a high risk to life due to the presence of tripwires, anti-tamper mechanisms, and other protective features. To safely disable a device with minimal physical contact, operatives use x-ray images. Since highly specialized experts are usually not deployed directly in the field, operators on the ground must capture images and transmit them to remote specialists. This process is frequently delayed by low-quality images taken under operational pressure, limited communications link bandwidth, and the need to capture additional images from multiple angles.

The deployment of artificial intelligence and machine learning allows primary analysis to be brought closer to the point of need. The developed software must automatically detect and label electronic components in real time, assess their role in circuit operation, display confidence scores, and request additional angles if uncertain. As a result, the operator on-site receives actionable analysis and sends only narrowed, focused information to remote experts, speeding up decision-making. Human operators remain fully responsible for all operational decisions.

The final deliverable of the 12-week project must be a working demonstrator at Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL 5: technology validated in a relevant environment). Commercial contracting and funding disbursements are managed by the programme's commercial collaborator, Cranfield University.

The challenge is open to:

• Sole innovators and individual developers.
• Small, medium, and large businesses.
• Academic and university institutions.
• Research organizations of any type or size.

Special security clearances are not required to submit an application.

Restrictions: Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the UK government under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes are not eligible for HMGCC Co-Creation challenges.

The total competition budget is up to £60,000 (ex VAT). The programme funds 100% of the winner's eligible costs, so co-financing is not required.

This is not traditional grant funding, but direct commercial contract funding. HMGCC Co-Creation fully covers the following cost categories:

• Labor costs and fees for involved personnel.
• Procurement of materials and components required for project execution.
• Overheads.
• Other indirect expenses directly related to development.

Funding is provided via Cranfield University acting as the initiative's commercial collaborator. If the solution delivered by the end of the 12 weeks is judged by the HMGCC Co-Creation team as feasible, viable, and desirable, follow-on Phase 2 funding may be made available.

The programme funds the development of machine learning algorithms capable of identifying and analyzing electronic components from x-ray images while assessing their likely function within a circuit.

• Essential Requirements:
  • Deliver a final demonstration to sponsors along with software, source code, and a report.
  • Use machine learning techniques to identify and analyze electronic components.
  • Ensure the software can be used by trained operators who are not electronic component specialists.
  • Provide traceability and explainability for outputs.
  • Show confidence scores for identified components.
  • Ensure the software runs on commercially available hardware.
  • Support multiple data types, particularly TIFF and JPEG files.
  • Demonstrate identification and analysis of through-hole components (capacitors, resistors).
• Desirable Requirements:
  • Support offline or disconnected operation.
  • Support retraining or refinement using additional labeled data.
  • Demonstrate identification and analysis of surface mount components (microcontrollers, SMD capacitors, resistors).
  • Automatically generate structured reports suitable for technical assessment.

• Constraints: X-ray images must be the primary source of analysis. Solutions should avoid reliance on proprietary datasets. A horizon scan is not required. The winning provider will receive training data from the sponsors.

• 28 September 2026: Competition officially opens.
• 16 October 2026: Deadline for submitting clarifying questions.
• 22 October 2026: Clarifying questions published.
• 29 October 2026 (23:59): Competition closing deadline.
• 10 November 2026: Applicants notified of shortlist results.
• 19 November 2026: Pitch Day for selected candidates (20-minute presentation followed by questions).
• 23 November 2026: Pitch Day outcome announced.
• 27 November 2026: Commercial onboarding begins (including a mandatory 1-hour MS Teams contracting call).
• December 2026: Target project kick-off.
• Over 12 weeks: Project execution, testing, and delivery of TRL 5 demonstrator

1. Review challenge materials on the official HMGCC Co-Creation website.
2. Prepare an application no longer than 6 pages or 6 slides. HMGCC Co-Creation reserves the right to stop reading after page/slide 6 if this limit is breached.
3. Submit the completed application via the online form on the HMGCC Co-Creation website.
4. For any queries, email Co-Creation@dstl.gov.uk and cocreation@hmgcc.gov.uk.

All submitted proposals are scored 1 to 5 by the HMGCC Co-Creation assessment team across five key areas:

• Feasibility: Technical credibility and viability of the proposed minimum viable product (MVP).
  • Absence of overlooked key technical risks.
  • Likelihood of reaching or exceeding the minimum required TRL 5.
  • Team experience, technical skills, and qualification level in delivering similar projects.
• Desirability: Alignment and completeness in addressing the challenge scope.
  • Degree of fulfilling essential and desirable requirements.
  • Clarity in describing benefits for government and dual-use markets.
  • Ambition and innovation level of the solution (incremental step vs. significant leap).
  • Credibility of the commercial exploitation route and post-Phase 1 plan.
• Viability: Value for money, cost breakdown, and justification.
  • Clarity of time and resource allocation relative to the proposed cost.
  • Availability of rough costings for future development work.
• Project Delivery: Quality of the project delivery description leading to the MVP.
  • Inclusion of a Gantt chart or clear work schedule.
  • Specific proposed outcomes/deliverables after each sprint.
  • Practical experience in Agile methodology.
• Budget: Full compliance of project finances within the competition scope.

The application package (up to 6 pages/slides) must include the following required sections:

1. Applicant details: contact name, organization details, and registration number.
2. Scope: description of how the project aligns to the challenge scope.
3. Innovation: description of the technology to be delivered, new IP generated, or existing IP used.
4. Deliverables: project outcomes and their impacts.
5. Timescale: detailed plan for achieving an MVP within 12 weeks.
6. Budget: project finances against deliverables.
7. Team: key personnel CVs and expertise.

Attachments (excluded from the 6-page limit):

• Title pages.
• References.
• Personnel CVs.
• Organizational profile (if applicable).

For successful project completion and final settlement, the contractor must deliver:

• A live product demonstration to project sponsors.
• The complete developed software package along with its source code.
• A final technical report detailing how the created system functions.

All project work must comply with HMGCC Co-Creation terms and conditions. Work preference is conducted at the OFFICIAL security level. If needed, project team members may be requested to undergo BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) checks or equivalent.

Developers must ensure their supply chain aligns with the National Security and Investment Act, as well as NPSA and NCSC guidance (Secure Innovation Action Plan and Core Security Measures) regarding intellectual property and data security.

• Submitting a proposal confirms unqualified acceptance of HMGCC Co-Creation terms and conditions.
• Project IP belongs exclusively to the solution provider, granting the Authority a non-exclusive, royalty-free license.
• Commercial contracting and funding engagement are managed via Cranfield University.
• Projects are delivered collaboratively with internal HMGCC Co-Creation delivery managers using Agile methodology.
• All developments must comply with the National Security and Investment Act, as well as NPSA and NCSC Secure Innovation guidance.