Defence Supplier Capability Development Programme (DSCDP)
Defence Supplier Capability Development Programme — NquiringMinds enrolled
NquiringMinds successfully enrolled on the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Supplier Capability Development Programme (DSCDP) — MOD-funded, Grant Thornton–delivered support helping UK defence SMEs and mid-tier suppliers build productivity and competitiveness.
The Defence Supplier Capability Development Programme offers UK-based defence suppliers growing in the sector up to £200,000 of customised business-improvement support over about a year. Support is shaped by a diagnostic assessment and a bespoke Business Improvement Plan across five areas — strategy, operations, sales, finance and people — delivered through specialist one-to-ones, peer activity, training, industry introductions and toolkits. Companies match the MOD investment with the time they commit to improvement work.
Grant Thornton UK manages the programme on behalf of the MOD. A July 2025 announcement opened a further application window, aligned with the Strategic Defence Review’s emphasis on defence as a driver of growth and deeper partnerships with UK industry. Interest has been strong: Grant Thornton has reported around 600 expressions of interest over two years, with the programme consistently oversubscribed.
At a February 2026 SME showcase hosted by Grant Thornton for the MOD — opened by the Secretary of State for Defence alongside the National Armaments Director — high-potential UK defence and dual-use businesses pitched to investors and senior government decision-makers.
Rupert Pearce, National Armaments Director at the Ministry of Defence said:
“UK SMEs are a powerful force at the heart of the UK defence industry. They have the energy, agility and risk appetite to drive innovation and create novel technology that strengthens our security and benefits our society.”
Dr Nick Allott, CEO of NquiringMinds:
“Successful enrolment on the Defence Supplier Capability Development Programme is important recognition of NquiringMinds as a serious UK defence SME. The programme gives us structured, expert support to strengthen how we scale — commercially and operationally — while we continue to deliver trusted AI and secure data platforms for mission-critical environments.”
Expressions of interest for the programme are handled via www.dscdp.co.uk.