CATAPULT T.R.I.G. GRANTS 2022

DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT UK GRANT FUNDING NEW TECHNOLOGY

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THE FUNDING RATE FOR THIS COMPETITION IS 100% OR UP TO £30K, TO ENCOURAGE SME ENTREPRENEURS.

TRANSPORT RESEARCH AND INNOVATION GRANTS 2022

The Department for Transport is offering funding for the development of technology, products and services that could make a real difference to the future of the UK’s transport network.

Here at JVH2 HQ, we are most concerned with marine transport. But, we are worried about the lack of bulk energy storage on land, for load levelling the Grid, and road transport. Such as paying £140 million to switch off wind turbines, in the UK, November 2022.

DEADLINE FOR FINAL 2022 APPLICATIONS: 23:59 15 January 2023

Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG), powered by Connected Places Catapult, supports future leaders in transport innovation by awarding 100% funding for the development of new technology, allowing innovators to either succeed or fail fast. The programme also provides a collaborative space for innovators, including academics, SMEs and large businesses to work with DfT’s policy teams on realising shared goals. 

Since 2014, TRIG has awarded £10.3m for 294 innovation projects and our alumni of successful innovators is growing! If you have an idea that could make the UK’s transport systems safer, greener, more resilient, and more accessible we want to hear from you.

Be careful to read the rules carefully, you will more than likely be ineligible and your application will not be assessed, if applying in an area out of scope. In keeping with current policies, short term solutions are generally marked higher, than research at a very early stage. All the time and effort put into an application that is not eligible, will be wasted. And time is money. So, read the small print - and between the lines.

TRIG is open to SMEs, universities, and large businesses. 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).

TRIG competitions are designed to de-risk the development of novel technology and will support the most promising and beneficial products as they launch within their intended markets.

For the TRIG 2022 programme, as well as their traditional open call, DfT is particularly interested in solutions that address the following challenges: 

- Local Transport Decarbonisation 

- Maritime Decarbonisation 

- The Future of Freight 

- Transport Resilience to Severe Weather and Flooding 

- Improving the Rail Passenger Experience 

SCOPE - CHALLENGES

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 - £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.

KEY DATES 

13 December 2022: Competition opens for applications 

19 December 2022: Application support webinar 1

5 January 2023: Application support webinar 2

15 January 2023: Application deadline 

April 2023: Competition winners announced 

KEY FEATURES OF TRIG:

- It is 100% funded

- Technical and commercial oversight is available from DfT’s ScITech Team / Chief Scientific Adviser, Connected Places Catapult and their partners

- Participation in workshop activities with other projects and Government organisations is encouraged

- Follow on support is available from Connected Places Catapult, including the chance for SMEs participating to enter their SME development programme

- The opportunity to take part in showcasing events designed to attract onward investment and collaboration.

ABOUT UK SHORE:

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. 

THE AREAS WITHIN SCOPE OF THIS MARITIME DECARBONISATION TRIG CALL ARE: 

• Solutions focused on large deep-sea shipping vessels only, including but not limited to cargo ships, tankers and cruise ships.

• Smart shipping technologies and automation that delivers indirect emissions savings for any size of vessel.

• Projects that focus on supporting small and medium sized ports, harbours and marinas to decarbonise their operations where they have not yet begun to do so.

• Projects focused on deep sea shipping vessels only, as the multi-year CMDC has supported so far mostly short sea shipping vessels. Deep sea vessels include but are not limited to cargo ships, tankers and cruise ships.

• Vessel propulsion (battery, fuel cell, hybrid, or engines using low carbon alternative fuels such as hydrogen, methanol or ammonia). 

• Propulsion systems using internal combustion engine technology capable of using multiple fuels including zero carbon options (such as hydrogen, methanol, ammonia). 

• Wind propulsion, including soft-sail, fixed-sail, rotory sails, kite and turbine technologies, targeting a range of ship types from small vessels to large cargo carriers, both as primary and auxiliary propulsion. 

• On-vessel power generation and fuel production to reduce GHGs (such as wind turbines, solar panels, synthetic fuel production). 

• Low carbon energy storage and management. 

• Smart shipping technologies and automation that delivers indirect emissions savings for any size of vessel.

• Autonomy, digitisation and better journey efficiencies directly and indirectly, delivering quantifiable energy efficiency savings and, therefore, GHG emission reductions. 

• Other smart shipping technologies, including the control of the emission reduction systems including but not limited to wind propulsion.

The budget available for the Maritime Decarbonisation funding call is approximately £400,000. We are looking to fund up to 13 projects, however the final number of projects funded will depend on the number of quality applications received, value-for-money, and the policy needs of the Department for Transport.

Applicants are encouraged to consider the scoring matrix in the development of their proposal to ensure the development of credible bids. Where applicants submit more than one bid, evidence should be presented as to the deliverability of both projects side by side.

BACKGROUND

The budget available for the Maritime Decarbonisation funding call is approximately £400,000. We are looking to fund up to 13 projects, however the final number of projects funded will depend on the number of quality applications received, value-for-money, and the policy needs of the Department for Transport. 

Applicants are encouraged to consider the scoring matrix in the development of their proposal to ensure the development of credible bids. Where applicants submit more than one bid, evidence should be presented as to the deliverability of both projects side by side.

CLIMATE CHANGE CONTEXT

Transport is the largest emitting sector of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the UK, contributing 27% of domestic emissions in 2019. Our transport system must change to deliver the Government’s Net Zero ambition and DfT will drive forwards that change through our longer-term green transport agenda. Sustainability will be at the heart of levelling-up. 

People everywhere will feel the benefits - villages, towns, cities and countryside will be cleaner, greener, healthier and more prosperous and pleasant environments in which to live and work. 

KEY AREAS OF FOCUS ARE: 

• Decarbonisation of road vehicles (biggest source of emissions)
• Decarbonisation of longer distance modes of transport 
• Accelerating modal shift to public and active transport
• Decarbonising how we get our goods
• Place based solutions and environmental impacts
• UK as a hub for green transport, technology and innovation
• Reducing carbon in a global economy


APPLY

Applications for this competition are open until 15 January 2023. To find out more and apply, please visit Catapult's registration page. 


APPLICATION SUPPORT WEBINAR 

On 19 December 2022 and 5 January 2023, the Department for Transport and Connected Places Catapult will host a webinar for those interested in applying for the TRIG 2022 programme. During the webinar, you will be able to find out more about the challenges, the programme and ask questions about the programme and the application process. The recording will be available here after the event. 

Register for the 5 January webinar

Please contact Catapult if you have any questions about this competition at:  trig@cp.catapult.org.uk 


FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TRIG

You can find out more about TRIG, past cohorts and view success stories HERE

ABOUT CATAPULT

The Catapult Network aims to support businesses in transforming great ideas into valuable products and services. They are a network of world-leading technology and innovation centres established by Innovate UK. The idea is to deliver impact across the UK economy, enabling businesses to thrive in global markets, where continuous growth is an unattainable political dream of yesteryear; against global warming and population barriers, against the natural sustainable limits of planet earth. The UK has to adapt by being smarter, more efficient and as self sufficient as practical.

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