19 December 2014 - The Department for Transport (DfT), supported by Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), is piloting a competition that will grant fund novel research of innovative solutions to its key challenges, named the Transport-Technology Research Innovations Grant (T-TRIG). Applications will be accepted from today, with a deadline of midnight on 26 January 2015.

T-TRIGaims to fully-fund short, sharp, potentially ambitious projects that use science, engineering and technology to help facilitate a more efficient transport system in the UK. This new competition is open to all transport challenges, although applicants may wish to align their proposals with the Department’s priorities and policies. Funded projects may also have wider benefits for the Department, such as developing the evidence base for policies or informing decision-making.

To assist potential applicants, KTN will be hosting two briefing webinars, on 6 January 2015 (10:45 to 11:45am) and 7 January 2015 (2:45 to 3:45pm), at which interested parties will have the chance to directly ask the DfT questions about the new competition.

Potential applicants are requested to register (by following the links above), and refer to the accompanying documents linked below for full details. The DfT may also be able to answer further questions via email.

Funding of up to £25,000 for projects with potential to lead to successful new transport products, processes or services

Businesses, academia and other organisations with innovative ideas and concepts that could help enable more efficient transport systems are encouraged to apply for the Transport-Technology Research Innovations Grant (T-TRIG), newly set up by DfT to support research projects with potential to lead to successful new transport products, processes or services.

Up to £25,000 per project (100% funded) will be awarded for between 6 and 8 of the leading proposals selected after a competitive process, open in scope to address all types of transport challenges.

Support is to be offered for novel science, engineering and technological research into innovative solutions for improving the UK transport system.

Projects may also offer wider benefits, such as developing the evidence base in support of policies, or for enabling more informed decision making processes.

It is envisaged that the T-TRIG scheme will in future likely operate on an ‘open-call’ basis to be assessed twice per financial year.

DfT’s Priorities for Transport

The Department for Transport (DfT) works with its agencies and partners to support the transport network, that helps the UK’s businesses and gets people and goods travelling around the country. It plans and invests in transport infrastructure to keep the UK on the move.

The Department for Transport's priorities are:

• Continuing to develop and lead the preparations for a high speed rail network;
• Improving the existing rail network and creating new capacity to improve services for passengers;
• Tackling congestion on our roads;
• Continuing to improve road safety;
• Encouraging sustainable local travel;
• Promoting lower carbon transport, such as walking and cycling as well as introducing more environmentally-friendly buses and trains;
• Supporting the development of the market for electric and other ultra-low emission vehicles;
• Supporting the development of aviation, improving passenger experience at airports;
• Maintaining high standards of safety and security for passengers and freight.

Pilot for a potentially regular T-TRIG

The Department’s Science and Research Division is responsible for instigating and funding this competition.

Initially a pilot, DfT are looking to open the competition once in the current financial year, and up to twice a year subsequently depending on resources, number and quality of applications received.

Application process and briefing webinars

KTN will be hosting two briefing webinars to allow interested parties to ask questions:

• 6 January 2015 (10:45 to 11:45am); and
• 7 January 2015 (2:45 to 3:45pm).

Competition timeline:

• Opening Date: 19 December 2014;
• Entry Deadline: midnight 26 January 2015;
• Winners notified: mid February 2015.

Accompanying documents

• Explanatory:

  • Grant Specification and Evaluation Criteria;

• Forms:
  • Grant Application Form;
  • Pricing Table.

Please send your completed Grant Application Form and Pricing Table to research.grants@dft.gsi.gov.uk by midnight 26 January 2015. If you have any questions, please direct them to the same email address.