Contracts
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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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Space Regulatory Sandboxes, including the Re-Entry Regulatory Sandbox and the Multi-Mission Licensing Regulatory Sandbox
DSIT is funding development of two regulatory sandboxes for space activities: one focused on satellite re-entry, the other on multi-mission licensing. The work involves designing and operating these sandboxes to test new regulatory approaches.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendlyFramework
Clinical Research Monitoring, Quality Assurance and Site Support Services Framework
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine seeks independent GCP-compliant clinical trial monitors and quality assurance providers for research studies across Africa, the Middle East and other regions. This is a framework agreement to establish a panel of suppliers.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
ITT - Value realisation through adaptive reuse of historic buildings - UID 285
Historic England wants a research study to assess how value can be realised through adaptive reuse of historic buildings in England. The work will examine success factors across different property types and locations, analyse case studies, and produce evidence to support investment decisions and funding solutions.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
1049366347 T1418 Opportunities for battery-powered trains to improve the safety and efficiency of the 3rd rail DC network
RSSB is commissioning research into retrofitting battery systems on EMUs operating on the 3rd rail DC network, to explore safety and efficiency improvements. The study will assess opportunities for modest-capacity traction batteries on existing trains.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Sutton Environment Strategy Community Engagement and Consultation Programme
London Borough of Sutton wants a consultant to design and run a community engagement programme on climate action and the environment strategy. The output is an analysis report identifying gaps and informing the new Environment Strategy and Action Plan.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Design for Longevity- Electrolyser Prototype Design
UK Fusion Energy needs the conceptual design of a solid-oxide electrolyser system for processing tritiated water in their STEP fusion reactor fuel cycle. The work covers the electrochemical cell, stack architecture, and all internal components but excludes balance-of-plant equipment.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
A local government vision for neighbourhood health and wellbeing
The LGA wants a consultant to develop a local government perspective on neighbourhood health and wellbeing that complements the Government's Neighbourhood Health Framework. The work will set out local government's role and ambitions, and inform national policy and council practice.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Metabarcoding validation framework 2026/2027
Natural England needs a framework to help staff assess confidence and limitations in DNA metabarcoding assays used for ecosystem monitoring. The work involves validating and updating existing guidance on how to use these methods reliably.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Strategic Culture Change Partner
NHS trust seeking a strategic partner to design, deliver and embed a trust-wide cultural transformation programme. The role requires specialist capacity and expertise in organisational culture change.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Strategic Culture Change Partner
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a strategic partner to design, deliver and embed a Trust-wide cultural transformation programme. The role involves providing specialist capacity and expertise across the entire organisation.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendlyFramework
Building Standards Research and Technical Services Framework
Scottish Government Building Standards Division is establishing a seven-lot framework for specialist research and technical services across fire safety, accessibility, energy, environment, structure, and non-technical areas. Suppliers can bid for one or more lots; call-offs will be awarded by direct award or mini-competition.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Additional Analytical Methods for NDNS Biomonitoring
Develop and validate analytical chemistry methods to measure biomarkers of food additives, contaminants, and metals in human urine for the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Also derive approaches for estimating dietary exposure from urinary biomarker data.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Trace, Evaluate and Reinforce (TracER)
The Department for Transport is seeking to improve assurance of Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) screening systems used to detect explosive trace contamination. The contract is titled TracER (Trace, Evaluate and Reinforce).
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Closed
ASC031 Development of Autism Strategy
Middlesbrough Council and Redcar and Cleveland Council want an external partner to develop a concise, person-centred Autism Strategy. The work must involve coproduction with autistic people, families and stakeholders, include deliverable actions and measurable outcomes, and be completed by 31 December 2026.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Gambling Qualitative Needs Assessment
Cambridgeshire County Council wants a qualitative needs assessment on gambling-related harms. You'll conduct interviews and focus groups with people with lived experience, families, community organisations and service providers, then analyse findings and recommend improvements to local services.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
GMCA 1984 Provision of Greater Manchester Faith and Belief Advisory Panel Facilitation
GMCA wants to commission facilitation services for a Faith and Belief Advisory Panel that will advise leaders and policymakers on inclusion, community engagement, and policy co-design. The panel will act as a bridge between Greater Manchester's faith communities and public bodies.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendlyFramework
FTS051 Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework - Lot 2 Research
Highlands and Islands Enterprise is establishing a framework for mixed primary, secondary and tertiary research including socio-economic, sectoral, scenario planning and customer research. This is Lot 2 of a two-lot framework; Lot 1 (Support, Appraisal and Delivery) is being procured separately.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
ET190 Consultancy - Capacity Strenthening
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine needs a consultant to strengthen capacity within disease control programmes in low and middle-income countries. The role involves designing data collection methods and analysing qualitative data, mostly remote work with occasional travel to DRC.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Audit Qualification 2030: Structured interviews with non-PIE Audit firms
The FRC wants structured interviews with non-PIE audit firms about their approaches to auditor training and barriers they face. You'll produce anonymised transcripts, early findings by late September, and themed reports by mid-October and late-December.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Provision of a Digi Hub Founders Programme supported by PEACEPLUS
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council wants a service provider to deliver a Digi Hub Founders Programme, funded by PEACEPLUS. The programme focuses on digital skills and internet development services.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Inter-Agency Debris Co-ordination Committee (IADC) Research Studies - 2026/27
The UK Space Agency is seeking technical studies to support its work in the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee. Studies will cover research in debris measurement, environment modelling, protection and mitigation.
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Closed
IWM/2627/APE/3510: Post-1945 Conflict Formative Audience Insight at IWM
IWM wants to understand visitor and non-visitor attitudes toward post-1945 conflict exhibitions across their three sites (London, Duxford, North). The research should explore awareness, motivations, interests and expectations.
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Closed
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.