Contracts for Innovation: First of a Kind 2026

The Department for Transport (DfT), Innovate UK and Innovate UK Business Connect are pleased to announce the latest First of a Kind (FOAK) rail competition.
When

20/05/2026 10.00 - 13.00
Location

Online
Sector

Register for this event

Overview

The FOAK programme addresses industry challenges by running innovation competitions. The competitions focus on collaboration with industry and deliver high maturity demonstrations, enabling efficient integration into the railway system. This competition supports innovative suppliers for market readiness.

This is a Contract for Innovations competition funded by the Department for Transport (DfT). The aim of the competition is to develop a prototype, conduct field testing, and demonstrate the proposed innovative solution to help accelerate and increase the adoption of innovation to improve UK railways.

Join us online to hear more from industry experts and challenge holders, and to hear more information about the competition.

Challenges

Grow the economy by enhancing the transport network, on time and on budget:

  • Challenge 1 – Safe Concurrent High-Speed Rail Installation in Constrained Environments. Stakeholder HS2
  • Challenge 2 – UK Dark Skies – Drone Operations BVLOS – Stakeholder Network Rail

Improve transport users’ experience, ensuring that the network is safe, reliable, and inclusive:

  • Challenge 3 – Improving Customer Experience in Isolated Spaces. Stakeholders TfL, DLR and Northern Rail Partnership
  • Challenge 4 – Digital Hazard Log. Stakeholders Network Rail, Southern Renewals Enterprise
  • Challenge 5 – Scour Risks to Structures. Stakeholder Network Rail
  • Challenge 6 – Structures: Rapid Behaviour Verification to Support

Assessment and Intervention Decisions. Stakeholder Network Rail. Reduce environmental impacts by tackling climate change and improving air quality by decarbonising transport:

  • Challenge 7 – Green Engineering Solutions for Earthworks Resilience and Biodiversity Net Gain. Stakeholders Network Rail and TfL
  • Challenge 8 – Enhancing Rail Adhesion Through Intelligent Vegetation Management and Biodiversity-Positive Interventions. Stakeholders TfL and Network Rail.

Accessibility and Inclusion

We are committed to ensuring our events are accessible for all.

If you experience any barriers to registering, for any reason, please contact us by email: enquiries@iukbc.org.uk or phone: +44 03333 403250 and we will support your registration.

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