Applications open for Transport Research and Innovation Grants

The Government has announced the latest round of Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) - a £1.8million competition to champion innovation in the transport sector. This year sees an increased grant amount of up to £45k per innovative project.

The grants, which are funded by the Department for Transport and delivered by Connected Places Catapult, will be awarded to businesses, academics, local authorities and any other innovators seeking to develop research and provide solutions to some of transport’s most-pressing issues including decarbonisation.

This year, the competition is seeking proposals which focus on:

• Airport Decarbonisation: innovative ideas to support the development of airport ground infrastructure for zero emission aircraft or to support airport operations transition to zero emission.
• Local Transport Decarbonisation: innovative ideas that accelerate the decarbonisation of local transport systems, demonstrating an understanding of the needs of local areas and communities, whilst also having the potential to be scaled-up across the UK in the future.
• Future of Freight: innovative ideas that address the opportunities and challenges faced by the Freight and Logistics sector and its supporting services, as outlined in DfT’s Future of Freight plan.
• Maritime Decarbonisation: innovative ideas for maritime solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the UK’s maritime sector, as set out in the Clean Maritime Plan, and support the transition to Net Zero by 2050.
• Connectivity, AI and Digital Twins: innovative ideas that combine Artificial Intelligence, Digital Twins and/or Digital Connectivity together to enable a resilient transport system delivering cheaper, cleaner, and quicker journeys for all.
• Open Call: innovative ideas that have the potential to address a UK transport challenge, across all modes, challenges and technology areas.

Last year’s competition saw 67 projects awarded funding, creating jobs and growing the economy across the UK.

TRIG is now in its tenth year, with over £12m awarded to 361 projects since 2014. Previous winners have developed a range pioneering of initiatives including an app that uses augmented reality to help visually impaired passengers get around rail stations, kite-powered tug boats to reduce emissions and drones to deliver packages in hard-to-reach areas.

“Ten years of this funding has seen huge success across all areas of transport, and it is always fantastic to see the pioneering ideas businesses present to us.

I am thrilled to announce £1.8million will be available for this year’s competition and I am really looking forward to considering another year’s applications and advancing vital and life-changing work across the sector”.

Jesse Norman MP, Technology Minister

“Transport Research and Innovation Grants support high-potential innovators to develop their fresh ideas. Alongside financial assistance, they will receive a wide-range of business support from Connected Places Catapult to help them realise their commercial potential.

The increased funding available per project this year will mean innovators have access to more resources to further their ideas. If you have an innovative idea that could help tackle some of the UK's transport challenges, I urge you to apply now.”

Nicola Yates OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Connected Places Catapult