Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG)

The Department for Transport and its delivery partner Connected Places Catapult support innovators through Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) developing innovative ideas to shape a safer, greener, accessible, and more resilient transport network.

- Funding organisation: Department for Transport - Location: National - Award: £1,000 to £45,000 per award; total scheme size £2.38 million - Opening date: 2026-05-11 - Closing date: 2026-06-05

Summary

TRIG occupies a distinctive position in the market of innovation programmes. Previous participants described the programme as a strong launchpad for early-stage ideas, particularly through the validation and strategic feedback they received from experts at DfT and Connected Places Catapult.

Participating in TRIG means you’ll join a dynamic community of innovators and benefit from:

- Up to £45,000 grant funding per project – No matching fund required, but possible - A simple and accessible programme experience - Monthly virtual meetings with DfT’s policy lead - One-to-one mentoring for a selection of cohort members - In-person events every three months across the UK - Virtual pitching and learning sessions - Access to CPC's community platform with fresh content published every month - Support from TRIG's Advisory Board Members - Visibility on CPC's Innovation Directory, articles and events

Eligibility

TRIG funds innovative ideas to solve real-world transport challenges.

Our definition of an innovative idea is a concept that addresses an unresolved problem or offers a more sustainable or cost effective solution than existing approaches. Your solution may already exist in another sector or transport mode, but it must be adapted for application in the targeted transport mode for the first time.

The project must be:

- At Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2 – 4 (basic research- Proof of concept/small scale prototype) at time of application and can develop until TRL 5 (tested in the relevant environment) at the end of the programme - Fully delivered and deployed in the UK

Organisations must be:

- UK registered - Public, private or third sector of any size

Additional considerations:

- The organisations should not exceed the Minimum Financial Assistance threshold as a result of TRIG funding - Previous TRIG applicants and winners can reapply with a different idea - Large organisations must provide justification for the use of public funds to support the project - Read our application guidance carefully - Projects must identify a clear lead applicant. Applications from consortia are also welcome

Objectives

We are looking for innovative ideas at Technology Readiness 2-4 across 5 areas:

Maritime Decarbonisation

Seeking projects driving rapid decarbonisation to meet the Net Zero targets in the maritime industry while advancing the government’s clean energy ambitions.

Freight Innovation

Seeking projects enhancing efficiency and resilience within a multimodal freight system, aiming to stimulate economic growth, ensure value for money, and reduce environmental impact.

Digital Twins

Seeking projects that enable better outcomes in terms of more connected, resilient and future-proofed network through digital twins.

Critical Technologies

Seeking projects to support innovators in critical technologies like AI, advanced connectivity, and quantum into the transport sector helping them apply their solutions to real-world challenges.

Open Call

Seeking 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.

Dates

On 19 May 2026, CPC will hold a support webinar to give applicants the opportunity to find out more about the programme offering, challenges, application process, scoring criteria, and the assessment process.

Further details and registration can be found through the link provided.

How to apply

TRIG 2026 competition - Cohort 19 - Connected Places Catapult

Apply / more information: https://cp.catapult.org.uk/opportunity/trig-2026-competition-cohort-19/