This Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI): FOACK 2022 competition is funded by the Department for Transport (DfT). The aim of the competition is to deliver high maturity demonstrations of innovations to the UK railways.

There are three themes in SBRI: FOAK 2022 competitions:

• Theme 1 – Low Emissions & A Greener Railway (this theme).

This is phase 1 of a potential 2 phase competition. The decision to proceed with phase 2 will depend on the outcomes from phase 1 and assessment of a separate application into a subsequent phase 2 competition. Only the successful applicants from phase 1 will be invited to apply to take part in phase 2.

• Theme 2 – Rail Freight
• Theme 3 – Cost Efficiency & Performance Priorities For A Reliable Railway

It is your responsibility to ensure submitting your application to the correct theme for your project. The applicant will not be able to transfer the application and it will not be sent for assessment if it is out of scope.

Any adoption and implementation of a solution from this competition would be subject to a separate, possibly competitive, procurement exercise. This competition does not cover the purchase of any solution.

This is a competitive process, and the funding type is procurement.

Timescale

Competition opens: 20 April 2022 – 8 June 2022 11:00am
Interviews: 25 – 29 July 2022
Feedback and Notification to Applicants: 5 August 2022
Phase 1 contracts awarded: 12 September 2022

Project Eligibility

Your phase 1 project can start by 1 October 2022, and must end by 31 December 2022. The project can last up to 3 months.

Your potential phase 2 projects can start by 1 March 2023 and must end by 31 October 2024, with a duration of up to 20 months.

SBRI welcomes projects that include either an:

• innovative start-up supply company that is already delivering in another sector
• organisation with railway expertise, such as train operating companies, freight operators, rolling stock manufacturers or operators and infrastructure owners

Your phase 1 project can range in size up to total costs of £60,000, inclusive of VAT for 3 months.

Scope

You must demonstrate how proven technologies can be integrated into a railway environment for the first time.

You must create a highly interactive and innovative demonstrator in your phase 2 project. This should be in an environment where railway customers and industry representatives can witness the product as a compelling business proposition.

You must address reduced carbon emissions and the impact of the railway on the environment. Your project can focus on one or more of the following:

• technology solutions to substantially reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) when diesel passenger trains are idling.
• passenger trains that can be powered by the AC overhead electrification and charge a battery from the overhead wire, to then run in battery-only mode on an unelectrified section of a route.
• battery or hydrogen-powered freight trains.

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants are welcome from all sectors.

To lead a project, you can:

• be an organisation of any size
• work alone or with others from business, research organisations, research and technology organisations or the third sector as subcontractors

Your project must involve:

• an owner of railway assets (for example stations, rolling stock or infrastructure)
• an experienced railway organisation
• a rail organisation that has the potential to become a customer

These criteria can be met by a single organisation or up to three separate organisations.

You must also:

• include a potential integration partner
• have a letter of support signed by a senior individual, from a potential railway customer organisation

Proposals entering this competition must already be of high maturity at Rail Industry Readiness level 5 or above. You must evidence this as part of your application.

This competition will not fund any procurement, commercial, business development or supply chain activity with any Russian entity as lead or subcontractor. This includes any goods or services originating from a Russian source.

How To Apply

You need to create an account and apply online here.

Guidance and detail of the process of applying can be found here.