AI passenger transport innovation funding

The AI in Transport Competition is encouraging and supporting creative ideas that will help shape the future of transport.

Connected Places Catapult, on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT), is encouraging applications for the Enhancing Passenger Experience - AI in Transport Competition, a new competition that supports the Government’s vision for an Integrated National Transport Strategy published last month.

The £89,000 competition is setting out to identify and support SMEs with innovative AI-powered solutions that can address key challenges in transport. Alongside the funding element, business support, government collaboration and networking opportunities with senior transport stakeholders will be provided throughout this programme.

The competition is looking for solutions that enhance passenger experience and also support one of the Government’s key priorities set out earlier this year:

• Improving Performance on the Railways and Driving Forward Rail Reform 
• Improving Bus Services and Growing Usage Across the Country 
• Transforming Infrastructure to Promote Social Mobility and Tackle Regional Inequality  
• Delivering Greener Transport  
• Better Integrating Transport Networks 

Successful applicants will receive funding and support across three phases. In phase one, up to 25 projects will each receive up to £2,000 of grant funding to develop an early-stage business case and pitch deck. Up to 10 will then be selected to move forward to phase two where they will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of experts, receiving tailored guidance and feedback to enhance their proposals. Finally, in the third phase, up to three projects will receive grants of up to £13,000 to develop and refine their business case through data research, government collaboration, and industry stakeholder engagement.

Find out more about the competition and how to apply.

First published 5 December 2024