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The Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has announced the availability of funding worth around £2 million for industry and academia to get involved with the UK’s chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) programme.

Dstl is seeking innovative ideas relevant to any aspect of the CBR field, such as detection and protection or medical countermeasures. These ideas would support UK policy, to maintain political and military freedom of action despite the presence, threat, or use of chemical, biological or radiological weapons and could also work towards further developing and delivering against the CBR programme.

Mark Fulop, Programme Manager for CBR, Dstl says: "The expertise of academia and industry is vital for the success of Dstl’s CBR programme of work. Over the next few years an increasing share of the science and technology programme will be let externally, and we are excited about engaging further with industry to deliver against the programme."

The announcement was made at the Dstl Annual CBR Science and Technology Review held on 7 November. The event provided an overview of the defence CBR research programme, latest strategy and updates on major strands of research. It followed the UK Defence Academy’s International CBRN Symposium, organised by CBRN-UK, the trade association for the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) industry in the UK.

Chris Abbott, Chairman, CBRN-UK says: "I am delighted that for the first time it has been possible to bring together the UK Defence Academy’s International CBRN Symposium, and the Dstl Annual CBR Science and Technology Review. It was an excellent opportunity to bring together CBRN stakeholders from across UK government with industry, academia and international partners, to consider the key

counter proliferation challenges that we face. I particularly welcome Dstl’s announcement of funding which will enable both industry and academia to become more involved in MOD’s CBRN research programme."

The funding will be available over the course of the next year and can be accessed directly through Dstl, via specific contracting announcements, or through open and themed competitions with Dstl’s Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE).

ENDS

For more information contact the Dstl press office on 01980 658088, 07796 705463, press@dstl.gov.uk.

Follow us on Twitter: @dstlmod

Notes to editors:

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) maximises the impact of science and technology (S&T) for the defence and security of the UK, supplying sensitive and specialist S&T services for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and wider government.

Dstl is a trading fund of the MOD, run along commercial lines. It is one of the principal government organisations dedicated to S&T in the defence and security field, with three main sites at Porton Down, near Salisbury, Portsdown West, near Portsmouth, and Fort Halstead, near Sevenoaks.

Dstl works with a wide range of partners and suppliers in industry, in academia and overseas. Around 60% of the Defence Science and Technology Programme is delivered by these external partners and suppliers.

CBRN – UK, an ADS Special Interest Group, is a trade organisation, representing the United Kingdom’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear industry. Its role is to act as an industry champion, interacting with the UK Government to provide a unified voice and offer a focal point for activities – particularly in export market opportunities.