First of a Kind 2025: Online Briefing Event
Join us online for this briefing event to find out more information about the First of a Kind 2025 competition.
Contracts for Innovation: First of a Kind 2025
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.
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.
About the competition
The applicants are invited to develop innovative solutions which address the following themes:
- Theme 1 – Platform Train Interface
- Theme 2 – Personal Safety
- Theme 3 – Bridge Strikes
- Theme 4 – AI for Complex Processes
First of a Kind 2025 is open for applications from 7th of April 2025.
The competition will close on the 28th of May 2025.
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Rail
Rail is essential to the economic, social and environmental health and growth of the UK, supporting essential travel, commuters, social and leisure travel, healthcare journeys and travel for education purposes. The rail network is the UK’s travel backbone, connecting rural communities to urban areas and facilitating opportunities for all.