Open Calls

Opportunity

West Midlands Logistics & Distribution Cluster

The West Midlands Logistics & Distribution Cluster is a collaborative initiative led by Connected Places Catapult, aimed at fostering growth and innovation within the logistics and distribution sector in the West Midlands.

Opportunity

HMGCC Co-Creation challenge: Synthetic environment tools to predict behaviour

Crisis contingency is about predicting people’s responses to threat or danger, to help keep them safe in the future. HMGCC Co-Creation’s latest challenge is seeking to evaluate tools that provide a synthetic environment to simulate how populations might respond to scenarios such as widespread disinformation or terrorism.

A peaceful canal scene in the West Midlands at dusk, featuring a narrow brick towpath leading between two canals. Modern red-brick apartment buildings line the water, with balconies overlooking the moored narrowboats. A footbridge crosses the canal, and soft lighting reflects on the water. The sky is clear with a warm evening glow.

Opportunity

DIATOMIC Digital Accelerator

Are you a West Midlands-based innovator with a digital solution? Join the Diatomic Digital Accelerator and help shape a smarter, more sustainable future for the region.

The historic facade of Bristol Temple Meads railway station, featuring a large central clock tower with four pointed spires and a mix of Gothic-style stonework and arched windows. A canopy supported by decorative ironwork extends across the station entrance, and the sky is partly cloudy with patches of blue.

Opportunity

Station Innovation Zone – Innovation Funding Programme – Year Four

The Station Innovation Zone programme supports SMEs to develop and trial new ways of improving various aspects of the passenger experience, with Bristol Temple Meads as the testbed site.

Opportunity

Clean Futures Accelerator: Trial Opportunity for SMEs

Test and validate your clean technology with funding (up to £50,000) and expertise from Coventry University’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing.

Opportunity

Transport Research and Innovation Grants 2025

Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) provide early-stage funding for innovations in science, engineering, or technology delivered by The Department for Transport’s (DfT) project delivery partner, Connected Places Catapult.

A worker in a hard hat and high-visibility vest oversees a forklift lifting a blue shipping container, surrounded by stacks of colorful containers in a shipping yard.

Opportunity

Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator 2025

The Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator will support up to 15 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to develop a trial to test their solutions in real-world environments to help solve pressing challenges within the freight sector.

Opportunity

Transport Accelerator: Maritime 2025

Get support for ideas that could help with automating operations, integrating future fuels and improving safety in ports.

Opportunity

Public Realm Innovation Initiative

Partner with Connected Places Catapult to unlock the value of public space.

A logistics hub featuring trucks, shipping containers, a cargo ship, and an airplane in flight during sunset serves as the perfect backdrop for the TRIG 2022 event.

Opportunity

Expression of Interest: TRIG Advisory Board

The Department for Transport (DfT) and Connected Places Catapult are inviting expressions of interest for the brand new TRIG Advisory Board. The Advisory Board will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the TRIG programme, by providing strategic guidance, sector insights and industry expertise.

Opportunity

West Midlands Logistics & Distribution Cluster – Board Member opportunity

Connected Places Catapult and West Midlands Combined Authority are launching the West Midlands Distribution & Logistics Cluster, designed to drive innovation and growth in the region’s logistics and distribution sectors.

Opportunity

Call for Expressions of Interest: Airport Perimeter Monitoring

Connected Places Catapult, in collaboration with Glasgow Airport’s Living Lab, is inviting organisations and innovators to express their interest in demonstrating novel security technologies for perimeter monitoring and patrolling.

Opportunity

Call for Expressions of Interest: Airside Automated Pavement Inspection

Connected Places Catapult and Glasgow Airport have collaborated to create the Connected Airport Living Lab, based at the airport, which is designed to be a collaborative R&D asset used to showcase UK-developed innovations, attract investment, and act as an innovation catalyst for the aviation sector.

Opportunity

Enhancing Passenger Experience – AI in Transport Competition

Unlock the Potential of AI in Transforming the UK Transport Sector The Department for Transport (DfT), in collaboration with Connected Places Catapult, recognises the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of the UK’s transport system.

Opportunity

HADeS Competition 2024

The Department for Transport (DfT), supported by Connected Places Catapult has launched the HADeS (High Assurance Detection Systems) competition 2024 to find new technologies, products, and services to enhance UK airports’ checkpoint security screening capability.

Opportunity

National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) Scaling Innovation Programme 2025

Introducing the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) Scaling Innovation Programme 2025, delivered by Connected Places Catapult in partnership with the ncat consortium. This programme is dedicated to funding those pioneering solutions that enhance transport accessibility for disabled people.

Opportunity

Unlocking the value chain of EVs and micromobility in India

Unlocking the value chain of EVs and micromobility in India is an initiative to help businesses explore opportunities, establish long-lasting partnerships in the Indian market and accelerate the growth of their business and global footprint.

Opportunity

Call for proposals: challenges and innovation in urban commercial real estate and public spaces

Connected Places Catapult is pleased to invite proposals for research to help drive innovation in the urban Commercial Real Estate (CRE).

Opportunity

Design to Deliver – Collective solutions for wild urban places

Do you have a solution that uses information to contribute to the successful implementation, stewardship, and maintenance of wild urban places?

Opportunity

HS2 Accelerator

Connected Places Catapult, in partnership with HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport, has launched its search for six small businesses to develop new technology ideas for the rail scheme; to be selected for trial and funded by HS2 and its main contractors.

Opportunity

Connected Zero Emissions Flight (ZEF) Airfields Expression of Interest

The imperative to introduce zero emission aircraft into commercial service to meet the UK’s targets for decarbonising aviation is clear, and the first fixed-wing aircraft capable of ZEF are expected to complete certification in the next few years.

Opportunity

Local Authority Transport Decarbonisation Accelerator

Introducing the Local Authority Transport Decarbonisation Accelerator programme, which is dedicated to supporting both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and local areas to meet the opportunities and challenges of place-based net zero commitments.

Opportunity

National Centre for Accessible Transport Expression of Interest

The National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) is a consortium, formed with the mission to shape the future of accessible transport for disabled people across the UK.

Busy subway station with commuters walking and using escalators. A sign indicates the way out. Some people carry luggage. The environment is bustling with movement.

Opportunity

Station Innovation Zone – Innovation Funding Programme – Year Three

Connected Places Catapult, in collaboration with Network Rail and funded by Innovate UK, is excited to announce the third year of the Station Innovation Zone (SIZ) Competition, supporting SMEs to test new ways of improving various aspects of the passenger experience.