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
CP2821-26 Study of Carbon Sequestration and Soil Health Impacts within Highway Earthworks
Devon County Council wants a study examining how construction activities affect soil carbon levels during the A382 Link Road project near Newton Abbot. The research should assess whether adding biochar, mineral weathering products and mycorrhizal fungi to highway earthworks can increase carbon sequestration and soil health.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Flight Schedules Data
The Department for Transport needs access to detailed flight schedule data to monitor UK aviation capacity and connectivity, and to support policy-making and contingency planning. The data will be used by analysts for retrospective and forward-looking analysis to identify disruption risks.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
CP2821-26 Study of Carbon Sequestration and Soil Health Impacts within Highway Earthworks
Devon County Council wants a research study on how biochar, mineral weathering and mycorrhizal fungi in highway earthworks affect soil carbon sequestration and soil health. The work is part of the A382 Link Road scheme near Newton Abbot.
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Closed
RFQ 2026/43 - Development of a Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor Investment Land Guide
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and partners need a consultant to write an Investment Land Guide for the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor. The guide should strengthen the corridor's appeal to investors.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
ITT - Storage Design and Environmental Requirements Framework for Archaeological Archives in England - UID 369
Historic England is commissioning research to define the ideal design and environmental requirements for a national archaeological archive storage facility in England. The work will establish evidence-based specifications for storage systems, building design, sustainability, and repository layout to support future infrastructure planning.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
ITT - Heritage as Urban Green Infrastructure: an Evidence Review of Opportunities for Climate Resilience, and Future Directions - UID 366
Historic England wants a rapid evidence review on how heritage assets contribute to urban green infrastructure and climate resilience. The work includes synthesising existing evidence, identifying policy opportunities and barriers, and two case studies.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Cardiff and Vale Market Stability Report
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board wants a comprehensive Market Stability Assessment and Service Sufficiency Review across their health and social care services. The work includes stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and a final report with recommendations on service capacity, sustainability, quality and demand over the next five years.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment
Birmingham City Council wants a written needs assessment on domestic abuse across the city, covering prevalence, agency responses, and service gaps. The work requires analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data across prevention, support and crisis stages, and mapping of pathways through criminal justice, children's services, health, housing, education and adult social care.
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Closed
WNC Children & Young People Health and Wellbeing Survey
West Northamptonshire Council wants a provider to design, run and analyse three waves of a Children and Young People's Health and Wellbeing Survey, working with council teams, schools and partners to deliver actionable insight. The three survey waves will run in 2027, 2029 and 2031.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Who pays? Understanding cost misalignment between the NHS and Local Government
The LGA wants research exploring how NHS Continuing Healthcare funding decisions affect local authority adult social care budgets and whether current arrangements create perverse incentives between organisations. The project will examine cost-shifting between health and social care systems.
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Closed
Included Outside Publication Faith in Nature
Natural England wants a comparative analysis of case study sites across England to understand how community engagement affects nature recovery activities. The work will examine varying levels of engagement and community actions to increase participation in nature recovery.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Bwrdd Partneriaeth Rhanbarthol Plant Gogledd Cymru: Adolygiad Gwasanaethau Plant./ North Wales Children's Regional Partnership Board: Childrens Service Review.
Denbighshire County Council and North Wales local authorities need a review of children's services across the region, with focus on mental health support following COVID-19. The review will examine current provision, referral pathways, and complexity of need across six local authorities and the health board.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Technology Fund Horizon Scanning
Fair4All Finance wants external research to inform the design of a new £5 million technology fund launching in early 2027. They need evidence-based analysis of technology trends, market gaps, and priority themes relevant to financial inclusion.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Economic analysis of access applications
The Office of Rail and Road needs economic analysis to support its assessment of four track access applications from train operators seeking to run services on Network Rail infrastructure. The work involves weighing considerations such as capacity, performance, safety, competition and impact on public funds.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Supported Housing Needs Assessment
City of York Council wants a contractor to carry out a supported housing needs assessment. The scope isn't detailed in this notice.
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ClosedFramework
Digital Transformation and Research & Innovation Consultancy Open Framework
Jisc is establishing a framework to buy digital transformation and research & innovation consultancy services. They want external specialists to help their member organisations (universities, charities, funders) with strategic and operational support across digital leadership and digital transformation.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
ITT - Mapping Training and Qualifications for Heritage Construction Trades in England - UID 370
Historic England wants research mapping current training and qualifications provision for heritage construction trades across England. The work includes collecting baseline data on training uptake and completion, analysing provision gaps, and developing a repeatable methodology.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
UKRI-6358 Testing and Evaluation of Counter-UAS (Drone)
UKRI needs a supplier to test and evaluate Counter-UAS (anti-drone) systems in a prison environment competition. You'll provide test facilities, personnel, equipment, multiple drones, and qualified pilots to fly them against the C-UAS units being tested.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Ethnographic Study – Healthy Streets
Birmingham City Council wants an ethnographic research study on how residents experience car dependency and barriers to active travel and public transport. The study will use interviews, accompanied journeys and observation across diverse communities to inform Healthy Streets interventions.
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Closed
715112450 - Ballistic Testing Services - Personal Armour
The Ministry of Defence seeks a dedicated ballistic testing facility to evaluate personal armour systems for the Armed Forces, including hard plates, soft fillers, and helmets. Testing will be on-demand over the contract term to support new equipment projects and through-life support.
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ClosedFramework
TfL Professional Services Frameworks 3: Transport Planning & Impact Monitoring and Environmental Services
TfL, GLA and London Boroughs are establishing a framework to buy transport planning, impact monitoring and environmental consultancy services. The framework covers civil engineering consultancy, data analysis, statistical services and survey work.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
WPB - Architect and Engagement Consultant Services
Guildford Borough Council needs an architect and engagement consultant to develop a long-term improvement strategy for the Westborough & Park Barn area, covering around 1,000 homes (two-thirds council-owned). Phase 1 focuses on evidence-based strategy and community consultation to guide future housing, sustainability, and infrastructure work.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Estate regeneration project
Irwell Valley Developments is seeking a lead consultant to manage a multi-disciplinary team for a housing estate regeneration project in Greater Manchester. The project spans 6 years and includes new build and environmental improvements.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme – Subject-Matter Exemption - Research and Development
Research and development to design high-quality standards for AI tutoring tools, including digital curriculum and data review frameworks. Up to eight identical contracts to develop and co-design specifications for AI tutoring tools that meet public sector needs.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme – Subject-Matter Exemption - Research and Development - 6th of May 2026 Update
The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology is awarding up to eight research contracts to develop high-quality AI tutoring tools. The work involves research, co-design, and development of tools that include digital curriculum and multiple data sources, with outputs intended for public benefit.