Transport Research and Innovation Grants 2022
Applications are now closed for 2023.
Applications Close: 15th January 2023
Closed
Thank you for your interest in the Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) 2022 programme. Here you will find all the information you need to apply, including details of the programme’s scope, associated documentation, and deadlines.
About TRIG
TRIG 2022 launched on the 12th December. Over five separate calls, in addition to an open call, the Department for Transport (DfT) will offer innovators grants of up to £30k to undertake early stage, high-risk research, and development projects.
TRIG is open to SMEs, universities, and large businesses based in the UK. The competition is designed to offer small amounts of funding via a simple and accessible application process that will suit innovators needing a cash injection for research and development work. 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).
Proposals should clearly highlight the innovative and novel aspects of their potential transport solution. The solution could well be a completely novel idea or approach. However, approaches or innovations from transport or other areas, applied in a novel way to the transport system are also of interest.
These are the vital elements to focus on within your application.
1) The Challenge - what challenge are you proposing to solve and why is it important to the UK?2) The Solution – what is new here, what is the key step you are proposing to take that no-one else has done and how is it relevant to the challenge?3) The Impact – how big is this going to be? How many people will it help; how much money can be spent on other priorities; what will it speed up; how much carbon could this save; or how many jobs could this idea create?
About TRIG
TRIG 2022 launched on the 12th December. Over five separate calls, in addition to an open call, the Department for Transport (DfT) will offer innovators grants of up to £30k to undertake early stage, high-risk research, and development projects.These are the vital elements to focus on within your application.
1) The Challenge - what challenge are you proposing to solve and why is it important to the UK?
2) The Solution – what is new here, what is the key step you are proposing to take that no-one else has done and how is it relevant to the challenge?
3) The Impact – how big is this going to be? How many people will it help; how much money can be spent on other priorities; what will it speed up; how much carbon could this save; or how many jobs could this idea create?
Delivered by:
Why Apply?
Innovation Funding
Up to 100% funding to develop your innovation
DfT Collaboration
Gain insight from policy teams at the DfT
Business Support
Support from Catapult experts and business coaches
Network
Join a cohort of like-minded innovators, sharing ideas and exploring new opportunities
Solution Showcase
Opportunities to pitch your technology to industry experts and senior representatives from the DfT
Scope
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. There are five other calls within the 2022 programme, as detailed below.
Challenge 1:
Open Call
£30k Grants Available
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. There are five other calls within the 2022 programme, as detailed below.
Challenge 2:
Maritime Decarbonisation
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£30k Grants Available
UK SHORE is funding early-stage proof of concept innovation through the TRIG programme in targeted areas within maritime decarbonisation, complementing support provided by other UK SHORE interventions and supporting the implementation of the Clean Maritime Plan and the Transport Decarbonisation Plan. These interventions will deliver real change in the UK maritime sector to decarbonise shipping and ports and drive growth across the country.
Challenge 3:
Transport Resilience to Severe Weather and Flooding
£30k Grants Available
One of DfT’s strategic priorities is to “improve transport for the user”, continually improving the safety, security, and resilience of the transport network to enable it to withstand and rapidly recover from emergencies and unexpected events. Technological innovation is an essential part of how we can improve our resilience to severe weather and flooding events.
Challenge 4:
Future of Freight
£30k Grants Available
If we can futureproof our freight sector now, we’ll be reaping the rewards for generations. Beyond economic success measured in pounds and pence, levels of emissions, congestion and air quality will also impact the country’s wellbeing. The freight sector will require government and industry to work in partnership. As we build back better from the pandemic, we now have an opportunity to create a truly sustainable economic future with freight at its heart.
Challenge 5:
Local Transport Decarbonisation
£30k Grants Available
A place-based approach to transport decarbonisation recognises the collective importance of each city, town, village and rural location and their unique challenges across the UK in meeting net zero targets as outlined in the Transport Decarbonisation Plan. Decarbonisation in rural locations is a particular challenge in accelerating the transition to net zero by 2050 and reducing transport emissions.
Challenge 6:
Improving the Rail Passenger Experience
£30k Grants Available
This year, TRIG funding is being offered to strengthen the pipeline of new ideas coming through for our railways. As we build new rail infrastructure and deliver new services, we want to make sure rail keeps step with customer expectations in other modes of transport, by improving areas like communications, accessibility, and the travelling experience for all. This call will contribute towards improving transport for the user and getting people back to rail post the Covid-19 pandemic. We want to make sure that rail is both appealing and accessible enough to be everyone’s natural choice.
For more details about the scope of the competition, including examples of the projects the DfT is looking to fund, please read the TRIG 2022 Grant Specification document found below.
Am I eligible?
This competition is open to public, private and third sector organisations in addition to universities and research and technology organisations.
Mandatory requirements for entry:
• Your organisation must have a UK registered 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
How to Apply
The application deadline is midnight, 15th January 2023. Late submissions will not be considered. To apply, please register below. You will then be taken through to the application form.
Key Dates
Monday 12th December
Competition opens for applications
Monday
19th December
19th December
Application Support Webinar
Thursday
5th January
5th January
Second Application Support Webinar
Sunday 15th January
Application Deadline
During February 2023
Selection process and Interviews
March 2023
Cohort Selected
April 2023
Competition winners announced
Equality & Diversity
Connected Places Catapult is collecting equality, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) data as part of the application process to promote and ensure equality of access for the programmes it delivers. This data will help us monitor performance of efforts to promote ED&I in research and business innovation. All personal data will be processed in accordance with current UK data protection legislation, including the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).
Events
Point of contact:
If you have any question about the application, please contact our team on trig@cp.catapult.org.uk
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