Transport Research and Innovation Grants 2024

TRIG is open to public, private and third sector organisations in addition to universities and research and technology organisations. Organisations must be based in the UK (excluding the
Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) but are able conduct elements of work through
overseas contractors. However, projects and technologies or services must be fully
delivered and deployed in the UK.
Mandatory requirements for entry:

• Proposals should all prove an innovative concept, taking an idea typically from TRL 2 (basic research) to TRL 4 (proof of concept/small scale prototype)
• Your organisation must have a UK registered company number and office

We will consider proposals from consortia. However, the lead applicant who will receive the funding must be identified.

Applicants submitting more than one competition entry need to demonstrate the ability to deliver the projects concurrently.

Under the open call, the DfT is seeking innovative ideas that have the potential to address a UK transport challenge, across all modes and technology areas. It should be noted that although the open call is available for solutions to all transport challenges, applicants should consider their proposals within the context of DfT’s priorities and innovation needs. Any science or technology that may contribute to improving the transport system will be considered for the Open Call. This could include investigating equality of access to transport services for all users, or the performance of a new low carbon fuel. Applicants with new ways of exploiting datasets to improve services, or tools that could increase the safety of women using public transport, or encourage modal shift and active travel are also invited to submit their ideas.

3 grants of £45k each are available.

Innovative technologies and processes with the potential to accelerate local transport decarbonisation across the UK are welcome, especially those taking a place-based approach and demonstrating an understanding of the specific needs of a local area.

Projects could include mobility hubs, initiatives that support communities to make greener transport choices and tools to address challenges faced by rural areas. Areas of interest may include Mobility as a Service, shared mobility solutions and ways of supporting businesses to reduce their transport emissions.

7 grants of £45k each are available.

The scope for this call is not limited to a particular transport mode or outcome, but all projects must have a transport focus and project types could include at least one of the following principal areas of interest: AI in transport; Resilient and novel Position Navigation and Timing Technologies, Digital Connectivity and Sensors, Engineering Biology, Novel use of drones on the transport system, Pathway to personal air mobility, Pathway to smart infrastructure, Digital Twins.

7 grants of £45k each are available.

The Department is seeking innovative technologies and approaches that have the potential to improve connectivity and reduce emissions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. With limited funding options available, we need to work collaboratively with partners to deliver creative solutions to these challenges. Projects within this challenge should take a place-based approach, demonstrating an understanding of local, regional and national needs. Applicants should set out how the challenge they are seeking to tackle is particularly problematic in, or unique to, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. If the challenge is shared, to varying degrees, with other parts of the UK, applicants should consider how and where their project might have broader applications.

5 grants of £45k each are available.

Clean maritime solutions that are innovative, promise to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from maritime and support the transition to net zero by 2050 are invited to be put forward. Projects could focus on low and zero emission fuels, energy sources and vessel technologies; landside infrastructure and energy efficient measures to allow their uptake; and smart shipping technologies, automation and artificial intelligence that deliver indirect emissions savings for any size of vessel.

8 grants of £45k each are available.

Join Connected Places Catapult and DfT on Tuesday 2 May for the TRIG application support & information webinar (2 May 2024, 2:00pm – 3:30pm). This webinar will provide further information about the programme, offer application support and guidance and give you the opportunity to ask Connected Places Catapult and the DfT any questions you may have.

For further support with your application, you are also welcome to contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Transport team.