Transport Research and Innovation Grants Programme (UK)

Deadline: 20-Jun-25

The Department for Transport and its delivery partner Connected Places Catapult support innovators through Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) Programme.

TRIG helps develop new ideas to shape a more inclusive, environmentally responsible, and cohesive transport system across the UK.

Challenges

• Challenge 1:
  • Maritime Decarbonisation
    • Around 15 projects driving rapid decarbonisation to meet the Net Zero targets in the maritime Industry while advancing the government’s clean energy ambitions.
• Challenge 2:
  • Freight Innovation
    • Around 10 projects enhancing efficiency and resilience within a multimodal freight system, aiming to stimulate economic growth, ensure value for money, and reduce environmental impact.
• Challenge 3:
  • Open Call
    • Around 8 projects which fall outside the targeted challenges, but have potential to make meaningful impact on the UK’s transport system and with DfT’s priorities. They are particularly interested in seeking solutions which address the following areas: decarbonisation, connectivity to support economic growth and social inclusion but this is by no means an exhaustive list.

Benefits

• Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) 2025 supports early stage, high-risk research and development projects by:
  • Offering a collaborative space for innovators and DfT policy teams to work together on shared goals.
  • Providing monthly cohort-level business support
  • Engaging with a rich Alumni community for further peer-to-peer support and networking
  • Following a low burden application process

Funding Information

• Awarding up to £45,000 in grant funding (no matching fund required)

Project Eligibility

• An innovative concept for transport
• Technical readiness level (TRL) 2 – 4 (basic research- Proof of concept/small scale prototype)
• Projects must be fully delivered and deployed in the UK

Who can apply?

• Only UK registered organisations
• Public, private or third sector organisations of any size
• Universities and research and technology organisations. Consortia are welcome but not required. (Please note that the lead applicant will be responsible to receive and distribute the grant)
• Previous TRIG applicants and winners, providing they apply with a different innovation
• Organisations that will not exceed the Minimum Financial Assistance threshold as a result of TRIG funding

For more information, visit Connected Places Catapult.