Better detection of illicit goods in the post: apply for funding
Organisations can apply for a share of up to £250,000 to investigate better ways of detecting illicit goods arriving in letters and parcels from abroad.

Countering new threats of the modern world and protecting revenue on imported goods are a strategic priority for the UK government.
Innovate UK is working with the Home Office and Border Force to invest up to £250,000 in projects that develop new ways of detecting illicit goods in letters and parcels arriving at UK borders. A further £1 million could be available to develop the best ideas in a second phase of the competition.
Funding is provided by the GovTech Catalyst under the SBRI (Small Business Research Initiative) programme.
»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp GovTech Catalyst helps the public sector to use emerging technologies to improve public service efficiency and productivity.
Improving detection with no impact on the flow of goods
»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp competition is looking for ways of improving detection in the current postal and fast-parcel areas.
It is important that solutions have no effect on the flow of goods at the UK border.
Projects should address one or more of the following challenges to:
- reduce physical intervention in the scanning process, by using more automation
- increase how much can be scanned in a given period
- be more dynamic and adaptable
Competition information
- the competition opens on 3 December 2018, and the deadline for registration is at midday on 16 January 2019
- it is open to organisations of any size
- in phase 1 we expect project costs to be up to £50,000 and to last up to 3 months
- successful projects in the second phase could receive up to £500,000 to produce and test a product for commercial use
- projects will be 100% funded
- a will be held in London on 3 December 2018 for applicants to find out more and how to submit a quality application