Transport KTN information from a similar competition in 2011 in the Rail sector

1. Experience from a similar
competition in the rail sector:
Accelerating Innovation
in Rail (AIR)
Jim Lupton
Rail Specialist
Transport Knowledge Transfer Network ( KTN )
enquires@transportktn.org www.transportktn.org

2. Accelerating Innovation in Rail Competition
• The Technology Strategy Board and the rail industry (RSSB),
planned to invest £4m to accelerate business innovation in the
UK rail industry.
• Two-stage competition (EOI and ‘Full Stage’).
• Ran from November 2011 to March 2012.
• 19 consortia won funding – led
by a diverse range of businesses:
large and small, household
names to lesser known.
• In the end TSB and RSSB
invested £5m,
with matching taking it to £10m
in total competition value.
• Some very exciting projects.
enquires@transportktn.org www.transportktn.org

3. Context
• The following stems from various discussions with people
involved in the AIR process.
• A personal take on a previous competition – not this one!
• In case of conflict – what has been said by others takes
precedence!
• It’s not rocket science!
enquires@transportktn.org www.transportktn.org

4. Fundamentals
• Read the ‘Competition scope’.
• Read the ‘Guidance for applicants’.
• Read the questions and understand them!
• Answer the question! Each question has a purpose – providing
the same information in response to several questions does not
help the assessor assess your proposal!
• Put yourself in the assessor’s position.
enquires@transportktn.org www.transportktn.org

5. The business proposition
• Clearly state from the outset "WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO DO!"
Don't think the idea is so commercially confidential that the idea
can't be discussed in detail.
• Market is clearly understood and the ROI is clearly stated,
quantified and realistic.
• Evidence and quantification – solid data sources.
• Sufficient resolution to be relevant to the project.
• Route to market & the funding gap to commercialisation
explained.
• Be clear on what is being delivered.
• Arguably ‘route to market’ is the most important aspect of all the
questions – without one how will the innovation bear fruit.
enquires@transportktn.org www.transportktn.org

6. Important questions - Risk
• All questions are important because they all present an
opportunity for you to distinguish your proposals from the rest.
However, thinking of the risk question:
• Innovation is about risk – not the avoidance of risk.
• Projects need to understand the risks and how they will be
mitigated. Strong risk management strategies need to be
shown.
• This understanding of risk needs to be conveyed to the
assessor through your proposal.
• Technical, Commercial, Environmental, Managerial – make
sure all are addressed.
enquires@transportktn.org www.transportktn.org

7. Important questions - Impact
• All questions are important because they all present an
opportunity for you to distinguish your proposals from the rest.
However, thinking of the impact question (environmental, social
and economic):
• Usually the worst answered.
• Possibly why some borderline projects missed funding – a
more detailed response would have lifted them into the
funding zone.
• Simple things like cradle to grave impacts, end of life/reuse,
direct and indirect job creation, security of supply, social
impact on third world economies.
• In other words – show that at least some time has been spent
thinking about the wider, longer term consequences of the
technology development.
enquires@transportktn.org www.transportktn.org

8. Important questions - Funding
• All questions are important because they all present an
opportunity for you to distinguish your proposals from the rest.
However, on the subject of funding and added value:
• Demonstrate that the project costs are entirely appropriate.
• Demonstrate that the project will significantly increase the
industrial partners’ R&D spend during the project and
afterwards.
• Accuracy is important.
enquires@transportktn.org www.transportktn.org

9. Language
• Most industries use their own jargon which is impenetrable to
those from outside it.
• In AIR there were multiple assessors for each proposal – mainly
from within the sector but also from outside it.
• Don’t assume prior detailed knowledge for the assessor and
avoid industry specific ACRONYMS, especially where there is
significant innovation.
• If you must use them, define ACRONYMS – it’s very difficult to
read and understand sentences where the majority of the words
are not words!
enquires@transportktn.org www.transportktn.org

10. Get the TRL right!
• AIR was looking for a
range of projects focusing
on TRL 4 to 6, but
extending TRL 3 to 7 if
justified.
• Your proposal needs to sit
within the right range for
this competition.
enquires@transportktn.org www.transportktn.org

11. Attention to Detail
• The assessors need to understand what the consortium is doing.
• The only way they can do that is through the answers you give to
the questions.
• Be clear in your answers.
• Bad grammar and spelling does not present a professional image
and diverts the assessor’s attention away from your key
messages.
• Check your submission thoroughly. Once complete – get
somebody else to read it...preferably somebody outside the
business and listen to their comments.
• Make sure the correct document is uploaded...someone
submitted a mother’s letter to the school excusing her daughter’s
absence (not AIR).
enquires@transportktn.org www.transportktn.org

12. Other pointers on content
• Number your answers so the assessors can see where one
questions ends and the next begins.
• Use all of the main sheet, don’t leave big blank spaces – the
impression is that you don’t know too much about the subject.
• Use diagrams, pictures and charts in the annexes – lots of plain
text is depressing; make it clear, easy to read and interesting.
• Reference the annexes at the appropriate point in the main
application document – don’t leave the assessor to search for info
in the attachments.
• Reference sources including the publishing date.
enquires@transportktn.org www.transportktn.org

13. Finally
• Attending events like these will help.
• Check out the official group on _Connect.
• Even if consortia didn’t get funding though AIR, it got their
innovation on the radar and, in some cases, doors were opened.
enquires@transportktn.org www.transportktn.org

14. enquires@transportktn.org www.transportktn.org

15. In conclusion...
• Read the question & the supporting
information available.
• Your answers to the questions are the only
way of distinguishing your proposal from the
rest of the field.
• Attention to detail.
• Participate – it’s get your innovation on the
radar.
enquires@transportktn.org www.transportktn.org

16. Thank you
Jim Lupton
jim.lupton@transportktn.org
Transport Knowledge Transfer Network ( KTN )
enquires@transportktn.org www.transportktn.org