Department for Transport and High Speed Rail partner launch 2023 First of a Kind Rail Competition

The Department for Transport (DfT) and High Speed Rail partner are launching a new Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition to accelerate innovation in the UK rail sector and enable technologies to be readily and efficiently integrated into the railway system.

Join us in London or online on 14th June 2023 (10am-3.30pm) for a competition briefing event, where you will hear from the UK Government’s Rail Minister about the funding available and learn about the information you need to develop your project proposal. You will also hear from asset owners and integrators with an opportunity for you to present a two-minute elevator pitch to potential project partners.

The competition aims to develop demonstrators that offer innovations in:

• Customer Experience
• Reliable and Easy to Maintain Assets
• Optimised Train Operations
• High Speed Rail Systems Installation

The First of a Kind 2023 competition will open for applications on 14th June 2023. The DfT competition strand will close on Wednesday 26th July 2023 at 11:00, and the High Speed Rail competition strand will close on Wednesday 9th August 2023 at 11:00.

Competition details

The overarching principles for FOAK 2023 are Cost Efficiency and Increasing Value for Money.

The DfT competition strand has the following themes and requirements.

Priority themes:

• Customer Experience
• Reliable and Easy to Maintain Assets
• Optimised Train Operations

To lead a project, you must:

• Be an organisation of any size
• Carry out your project work and demonstration in the UK

Applicants are welcome from all sectors. You can work alone or with other organisations as subcontractors.

Your project must involve:

• An owner of railway assets (i.e. stations, rolling stock or infrastructure)
• An experienced railway organisation
• A rail organisation that has the potential to become a customer

You must also:

• Include a potential integration partner
• Have a letter of support from a potential customer organisation

The High Speed Rail partner competition strand has the following themes and requirements:

Priority themes:

High Speed Rail Systems Installation:

• Slab Track Installation Processes
• Cable Troughing and Cable Laying
• Installation of ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) related equipment.
• Tunnel Fit Out Installations
• Electric Multi-Purpose Vehicles Deployment

To lead a project, you must:

• Be an organisation of any size
• Deliver a demonstration of your technology

Applicants are welcome from all sectors. You can work alone or with other organisations as subcontractors.

Your project is welcome to involve:

• An owner of railway assets (i.e. stations, rolling stock, track machinery or infrastructure)
• An experienced railway organisation
• A rail organisation that has the potential to become a customer

You must also:

• Include a potential integration partner

It can be challenging to access railway assets and get permission to make modifications. You are expected to develop your own relationships with railway asset owners and your integration partners.

Briefing event

The competition briefing event on 14th June from 10am will offer an opportunity to talk to asset owners and integrators. You can register to attend in person or online here.