Transport Research and Innovation Grants 2026
Businesses can apply for up to £45,000 in funding for innovative ideas to solve real-world transport challenges.
Businesses invited to apply for TRIG 2026 funding
The Department for Transport (DfT), in partnership with Connected Places Catapult, has opened applications for the latest Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) competition.
The programme will provide up to £2.385 million across 53 projects to support early-stage transport innovations. Cohort 19 projects will run from February to June 2027.
Each successful project can receive up to £45,000. There is no requirement for match funding.
What the funding supports
The competition is aimed at feasibility studies, proofs of concept and early prototypes that can solve real-world transport challenges. Projects must be at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 2 to 4 at application stage and can progress to TRL 5 by the end of the programme. TRL refers to how developed a technology is, from early research through to real-world testing. Projects must be delivered and deployed in the UK.
Priority areas
Applications are open across five challenge areas:
- maritime decarbonisation, supporting net zero goals in shipping
- freight innovation, improving efficiency and resilience across transport modes
- digital twins, using data to model and improve transport networks
- critical technologies, including AI, advanced connectivity and quantum
- open call, for ideas outside these themes with clear transport benefits
Who can apply
The competition is open to UK-registered organisations of any size, including businesses, public sector organisations and third sector bodies. Single applicants or consortia (with a lead organisation) are both eligible.
How to apply
TRIG funding applications go through three stages.
You must first submit a pre-qualification form by midday, 5 June 2026.
If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to submit a full application between 13 July and 7 August 2026. Selected applicants will then be invited to attend an interview with the DfT challenge owners.
You should read all guidance carefully before applying.
Potential applicants can join the application support webinar on 19 May 2026 (3pm to 4:30pm) to learn more about this opportunity.
First published 13 May 2026