This Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) competition is seeking proposals that can address challenges associated within the field of Microbial Forensics. Microbial Forensics aims to determine whether an incident involving a biological hazard is natural or nefarious in origin; providing more information than the identification of a biological organism (e.g. provenance of the material).

As part of the 2023 UK Biological Security Strategy Dstl is leading the creation of the United Kingdom Microbial Forensics Consortium (UKMFC), a One Health initiative comprising frontline biosurveillance laboratories which will strengthen the UKs Microbial Forensic capabilities initiative comprising frontline biosurveillance laboratories which will strengthen the UKs Microbial Forensic capabilities (for definitions of One Health see World Health Organisation and World Organisation for Animal Health).This competition seeks novel technology options or technical approaches that can directly support this initiative.

This is your chance to sign up for a 1-to-1 session with the Project team, to ask your questions about the competition and discuss your innovation idea.

Please ensure you have read the competition document (and records of previously asked questions) before signing up for a session. You can find all of this information at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/apply-for-funding.

NB. We are also holding 1-to-1 sessions on 21st January 2025, please select just one time slot across the two days based on your preferred time.

How to get the best out of your 1-to-1

Do:

read the Competition Document, including annexes, and the Terms and Conditions thoroughly before you register for a slot
submit specific questions on your registration which will enable the competition team to give you more comprehensive answers
ask about any aspects of the Competition Document or Terms and Conditions that you are unsure about

Do not:

use these slots to pitch your idea in detail, 1-to-1s are not an opportunity for a sales pitch
use the slot to discuss ideas which are not relevant to this competition
include on your questions any confidential information about your innovation
assume that this slot will count towards your application. You application, if submitted, will be seen and assessed by individuals who are not present at the 1-1 meeting

Please note

Registration will close on Tuesday 14 January 2025 at 12pm.
The 1-to-1 sessions will be held on MS Teams.
Instructions on how to dial in to the session will be sent to the email address used in registration by 6pm Tuesday 14 January 2025. If you haven't received anything by that time, please check your junk folder, or email accelerator@dstl.gov.uk
The information you provide will be retained by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) to contact you in regards to this event, and any future DASA communications that may be relevant to you. Please indicate on the registration if this is something you do not wish to do.

DASA Enterprise Collaboration Service Account

The Enterprise Collaboration Service is DASA’s proposal submission service. To access DASA’s services, apply for funding and be notified of competitions relevant to you, you must have an account.

Read more about how you can register for an account on the DASA website - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/defence-and-security-accelerator-submit-your-research-proposal

UK Microbial Forensics Capability 1-to-1s: Day 1