Upcoming
Semi-Conductor Study
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology · Central government
In brief
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology has announced plans to buy research work. This is an early notice: there is nothing to bid on yet, but it tells you a tender may follow.
The notice does not state a value.
The contract runs for 7 months, starting 28 August 2026.
The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.
Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.
Can I win this?
Competition
Typical: a median of 5 bids per contract for this buyer (from 29 awards in the last 12 months).
What the notice says
The Semiconductor Unit in DSIT has secured ISF funding over 3 years for a Hardware Security Research Platform. Its aim is to accelerate commercial adoption of hardware security solutions by lowering the cost of solutions development, facilitating researcher/industry engagement, and researcher access to industry-grade resources and tape-outs.
The project idea was developed by UK and US government and industry in early 2025 and is currently at concept stage. We require a scoping study to provide DSIT with sufficient evidence to satisfy internal investment approvers and to shape a call for candidate organisations to bid to establish and run the platform itself. The study should broadly cover analysis and actionable recommendations on the viability, structure, and operation of a hardware security research platform. The study should evidence optimal structural, operational, and costs /financial models; identify specific services and infrastructure needed to support the platform and its target users; and assess potential risks, liabilities, and performance metrics.
As the platform was originally conceived as a joint UK-US project, the study should also outline platform feasibility with both UK and US involvement, and UK-only.
How to bid
- Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
- Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
- Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.
Timeline
- Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 038788-2026
About the buyer
Department for Science, Innovation & TechnologyLast 12 months
Procurements
141Awards
87Suppliers it has used most for research
- IfM Engage Ltd2 contracts
- Bramble Hub1 contract
- British Association for the Advancement of Science (British Science Association)1 contract
- Criteria Fieldwork Limited1 contract
- Eedi Ltd1 contract
Similar open tenders
All open research tenders- £350kestimated
- £100kestimated
- £80kestimated
- £260mframework ceiling
- £170kestimated
From notice 038788-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 28 April 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.