Opportunity

Accessibility Technology Research and Innovation Grants

The Connected Places Catapult is proud to be delivering the Department for Transport’s 2021 Accessibility-Technology Research and Innovation Grants (A-TRIG) Programme. 
Background

The DfT’s Inclusive Transport Strategy sets out government’s ambition and plans for making our transport system more inclusive.  There remain areas where innovation is required to remove barriers faced by people with a range of additional needs. The DfT’s Accessible and Inclusive Travel Division is therefore seeking to advance promising new products and services that have the potential to significantly improve access to services and increase confidence in travelling. These could include, for example, solutions that remove physical barriers, make it easier to access information, automate processes or better inform transport staff when supporting travellers.

Under the A-TRIG programme, funding of up to £120k will be available for at least 3 companies to fund Technology Readiness Level (TRL) development from 4 to 7. This means that the technology should already have been validated in a lab or testing environment, allowing for the next phase of development – demonstration in a fully operational environment. Click here to view the Government guidance on TRL levels.

All those submitting proposals will be required to explain what engagement they have made with disabled travellers to verify the challenges their solution aims to rectify, and how testing will involve end users.  Co-creation approaches will be strongly encouraged.  The Connected Places Catapult’s Human Centred Design team will support this approach with successful bidders. In addition, throughout the programme, the Catapult’s expertise in validating technological solutions will be drawn upon. This will provide assurance that the organisations are developing technology that will fit well into its intended market and gain the necessary commercial traction to achieve business growth.

Why Apply for A-TRIG?

A-TRIG is designed to enable innovators to demonstrate new technology for the first time in operational environments.

Key features of A-TRIG:

  • 100% grants for SMEs
  • Oversight from the DfT Office for Science and Chief Scientific Adviser
  • An assigned relevant policy contact from within the Department to help you understand how your ideas fit into Government’s priorities
  • Follow on support from the Connected Places Catapult including the chance to enter their SME development programme

In order to apply to the A-TRIG scheme you must be:-

  • Based in England; and
  • A business of any size
Applying for A-TRIG
(Applications are now CLOSED)

Please apply using the F6S platform – https://www.f6s.com/a-trig2021/apply. If you would prefer to complete the form using Microsoft Word, please download it below and email the completed form to atrig@cp.catapult.org.uk

You can find all the relevant guidance in the following documents which are all available to download by clicking on the links.

The application deadline is Sunday 29th November.

Webinar

We will be hosting an application support and information webinar on the 11th November. To watch the webinar click here.

Contact Us

If you are interested in finding out more information about the grants or have any queries, please contact us by emailing atrig@cp.catapult.org.uk.