The United Kingdom is making at least £1 million, excluding VAT, available for toxic-gas detector prototypes intended to give people in busy public spaces earlier warning of hazardous releases.
UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) is running the competition for the Home Office and the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), which are funding it. The guide estimates proposals at about £250,000 each but does not set a number of awards.
The systems are meant for busy enclosed or partly enclosed settings. They should identify more than one toxic gas, estimate concentrations, connect to networks and limit false alarms while needing little maintenance. Projects must start at technology readiness level (TRL) 4 or higher and reach TRL 6 or 7 within 11 months.
UKDI's guide sets two exposure requirements. It calls for an early-warning trigger at or above 10% of a gas's 10-minute Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGL) Level 2 value, and an alarm within 30 seconds of breaching the appropriate AEGL threshold. The guide does not explain how the 30-second timing requirement relates to the lower early-warning trigger. UKDI says it cannot identify the gases planned for government testing because that information is classified.
Proposals must include at least two prototypes. One is designated for government testing and may be destroyed; it may not be returned. Testing is planned for May 2027 through February 2028, with contracts targeted to begin in April 2027.
The competition follows an earlier phase that UKDI says brought candidate technologies to TRL 4. Previous participants and new applicants can both apply, and their proposals will be judged on equal terms. UKDI says a toxic-gas release caused by an accident, equipment malfunction or deliberate act could outpace existing safety procedures. It presents earlier warnings as a way to help organizations respond before serious harm occurs.
UKDI's official pages set different Stage 1 closing dates. The launch announcement lists 7 a.m. EST (noon GMT) Dec. 10, 2026, while the competition overview and detailed guide give the same time on Dec. 9. The detailed guide schedules Stage 1 decisions for Jan. 6, 2027, and says Stage 2 opens to invited applicants Jan. 7. Stage 2 proposals are due by 7 a.m. EST (noon GMT) Feb. 4, with feedback listed for March 12.
