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This document has been drawn up by the MOD in consultation with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), and sets out the framework within which Dstl operates.

It sets out Dstl鈥檚 status, overall principles of governance and details of central governance roles. It also includes:

• further details of governance and accountabilities
• commissioning
• functional leadership
• policies and specific responsibilities applicable to Dstl
• a summary of existing policy exemptions, management of Dstl staff
• an overview of the Defence, Technology and Innovation Board (DTIB)
• where to find Dstl鈥檚 corporate documents such as the corporate plan and annual report and accounts

This document does not convey any legal powers or responsibilities, and is regularly reviewed.

Note regarding March 2025 update

Although a full update to the MOD-Dstl Framework Document would normally be due at this time (the Framework Document was last updated in July 2021), we will not undertake a full update until the outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Reform have been confirmed. However, to ensure accuracy and transparency, we have updated any facts and noted below.

Introduction and Purpose

• Change: /government/publications/dstl-corporate-plan
• Reason: Update URL for Corporate Plan.

Central Governance Roles and A-1: Ministerial Responsibility

• Change: 鈥淢inister for Defence Procurement鈥� changed to 鈥淢inister for Defence Procurement and Industry鈥�.
• Reason: Changed to reflect the Minister鈥檚 full title.

A-3: The Sponsor

• Change: Added 鈥渂etween Dstl and the rest of the Ministry of Defence鈥�.
• Reason: Clarifies that Dstl is part of MOD, not a separate body.

A-3: The Sponsor and D-5: Internal and External Audit, Assurance and Risk Management

• Change: Added 鈥淓nsuring authority is delegated from the Principal Accounting Officer鈥� and changed 鈥淐hief Operating Officer鈥� to 鈥淧ermanent Under-Secretary鈥�.
• Reason: To reflect that authority is delegated from the Principal Accounting Officer not the Sponsor.

A-3: The Sponsor and D-2: Parliamentary and ministerial business

• Change: References to 鈥淪ponsorship and Organisational Policy directorate鈥� and 鈥淒SOP鈥� changed to 鈥淧ublic Bodies and Appointments team鈥�.
• Reason: The Sponsorship and Organisational Policy directorate has been absorbed into another MOD directorate. Changed to reflect current sponsor team.

A-6: Dstl Board

• Change: Added 鈥淐ontribute to the wider Line 3 assurance of Dstl S&T capability health, through delivery of the NEM-chaired External Review College;鈥�
• Reason: Correction made to ensure Board鈥檚 role is accurately captured.

A-9: Reporting performance to the Ministry of Defence

• Change: Deleted parts of section 鈥淎-9: Reporting performance to the Ministry of Defence鈥� to remove references to performance and risk reviews.
• Reason: Decision made by MOD COO to replace performance and risk reviews (for all ALBs within portfolio) with Senior Sponsor attendance at Dstl Board twice per year.

Annex B: Commissioning

• Change: Added CSA to 鈥淪enior Responsible Owners for the programmes that sit within the CSA S&T Portfolio.鈥�
• Reason: Clarifies that this sentence only relates to programmes that sit within the CSA S&T Portfolio.

Annex C: Functional Leadership

• Change: Removed the list of functions.
• Reason: Updated to ensure accuracy.

S&T Portfolio Framework

• Change: Section on S&T Portfolio Framework updated.
• Reason: Provides more clarity on the Dstl and DST relationship.

D-3: Ministry of Defence corporate shared services

• Change: Removed insurance.
• Reason: Dstl uses MOD鈥檚 broker.

D-5: Internal and External Audit, Assurance and Risk Management

• Change: Changed 鈥淒IA鈥� to 鈥淕IAA鈥�. Changed 鈥淒efence, Audit, Risk and Assurance (DARA) organisation鈥� to 鈥淒efence Risk and Assurance鈥�.
• Reason: Updated names of teams/organisations. DIA (Defence Internal Audit) merged into GIAA (Government Internal Audit Agency).

D-9: Compliance with Government-wide corporate guidance and instructions

• Change: Updated list of guidance documents.
• Reason: Updated list of general guidance documents to reflect current guidance.

Annex E: Summary of existing policy exemptions

• Change: Removed 鈥渧alidating鈥�.
• Reason: Drafting error.

E-3: Infrastructure

• Change: Section on Infrastructure updated.
• Reason: Clarifies that Dstl has transitioned its Facilities Management to DIO.

Annex G: Overview of the Defence, Technology and Innovation Board (DTIB)

• Change: Section on the Defence Technology and Innovation Board updated.
• Reason: Clarifies the role of the Science, Technology and Innovation Group (STIG).