Defence-related skills funding competition

We’re working with the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Education to provide £80 million funding to support defence-related skills courses.

The funding will:

• increase student places in computing and engineering courses
• boost the number of graduates for defence-related skills and roles
• support institutions to develop new, cutting-edge teaching facilities
• increase the proportion of young people participating in Level 4 study or higher.

How to apply

Institutions should refer to the bidding guidance and use the template provided to prepare their bid.

Bidders should demonstrate:

• how they will increase the number of students in Level 4-6 courses in computing and engineering
• how these courses are relevant to careers in defence or related industries and in line with Local Skills Improvement Plans
• any links already in place with the defence industry through teaching and other higher education activity and the way in which the institution will support students to consider careers in the defence or related industries.

Completed templates should be submitted through the OfS portal.

The deadline for bids is Friday 20 March 2026.

Successful bids will be confirmed in late spring 2026, with funded activities starting in the 2026-27 academic year.