The Department for Transport has announced a new competition that is aiming to inspire innovation and economic growth across transport.
Through the Transport Research and Innovation Grant, organisations and academics have been given the opportunity to apply for up to £45,000 in funding to transform the transport sector. The aim of the scheme is to support those that are working on innovative ideas that will not only improve the standard of the UK’s transport, but also support new skilled jobs across the country.
Previous winners of the funding include a shuttle bus app that will improve connections between rural communities, AI technology being used to give local authorities insights on local transport usage, and trialling the use of hydrogen to decarbonise air and sea travel. Developing on previous innovations, this year’s competition is looking for proposals that focus on:
- Projects that address transport challenges that are specific to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, to boost connectivity and ‘level up’ the UK ‘s transport system
- Innovative projects that accelerate decarbonisation across local transport systems whilst addressing the needs of local areas and communities
- Utilising critical and emerging technologies to make transport more resilient, cheaper, cleaner or faster for all
- Addressing major challenges across the entire UK transport network
- Working to reduce greenhouse emissions across maritime transport
Anthony Browne, Minister for Decarbonisation, Aviation and Technology, commented:
“As part of our plan to improve transport across the country, we’re continuing to back the TRIG competition which has funded hundreds of cutting-edge projects over more than a decade.
“Today’s competition launch means projects in their early stages can win tens of thousands of pounds to help improve transport and support skilled UK jobs in the process.”
The TRIG competition has been running for ten years now, with more than 400 companies being supported by more than £14 million of investment. Last year alone saw 41 projects backed, including one that used AI to reduce overcrowding in train stations.
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