This challenge is now closed 

What’s the open innovation challenge?

Network Rail is involved in the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition. Their aim is to find innovative technologies that help to detect and deter trespass at platform edges (for example, fare evasion or shortcuts) and incursion over platform ends and edges to commit crime (like cable theft or vandalism).

Network Rail will invest up to £1.08million, plus VAT to support the development of technological solutions. Your project must trial the solution in two live station environments for 12 months with additional 4 months for development and installation. Total eligible costs must be in the range of £200k-£360k, plus VAT.

Projects which are not within a year of being ready for market, have high technical risk, or cannot deliver a demonstration within a railway environment are not in scope.

The deadline for applications is 29 January 2020 at 12pm.

Project date milestones

2 December 2019 - Competition opens
5 December 2019 - London briefing event
22 January 2020, 12pm - Registration closes
29 January 2020, 12pm - Competition closes
9 March 2020 - Interviews week commencing
20 March 2020 - Applicants notified
17 April 2020 - Contracts awarded

Funding support

Your project’s total eligible project costs for phase 1 must be up to £90k plus VAT. For phase 2, the total eligible costs will be up to £360k plus VAT.

Please note: only successful applicants from phase 1 will be able to take part in phase 2.