Jessica O'ConnorThe Department for Transport has launched the latest round of its First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) competition, with £4.8m in funding available for rail innovation projects designed to support jobs, skills and long-term economic growth across Britain.
Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, the competition will back new technologies aimed at modernising Britain’s railways ahead of the creation of Great British Railways.
The funding will support projects focused on improving service performance, reducing environmental impact and helping major infrastructure schemes remain on time and within budget, while also supporting employment and investment across the rail sector.
Lord Peter Hendy, Rail Minister, said: “Innovation is central to bringing Britain’s railway into the 21st century and our funding for the First-of-a-Kind competition puts this principle into action, helping turn creative concepts into real-life solutions.
“Supporting new ideas is all part of our plan to modernise track and train under Great British Railways, designing and adopting world-leading technology that improves passenger experience while supporting jobs, growth and homes.”
The FOAK competition has received £62.5m in government funding since launching in 2017 and has supported a range of businesses developing rail and infrastructure technologies.
Previous winners include Robok Limited, which developed an AI-powered monitoring system used at an HS2 construction site to track deliveries and improve operational efficiency.
Hao Zheng, co-founder and CEO of Robok Limited, said: “Innovate UK’s FOAK funding allowed us to develop SiteFlow with EKFB on a live HS2 site, turning existing CCTV into supplier-assurance and safety insight.
“That foundation is now enabling us to take the product to the wider HS2 community and to scale this practical AI across UK infrastructure.”
Furrer+Frey was also among the 2025 winners, using FOAK funding to develop its Lineform AI infrastructure technology.
Noel Dolphin, GB managing director of Furrer+Frey, said: “The FOAK competition has allowed us to take risks and innovate further and faster than we otherwise would.
“We’ve taken sound, but commercially risky concepts and used FOAK funding to develop and demonstrate them, working with a broad range of partners, into real-world products.”
Claire Spooner, director of the innovation service at Innovate UK, said: “By working closely with industry partners and stakeholders, FOAK26 will maximise the impact of public investment, support the commercialisation of innovation and drive economic growth by helping new solutions reach the rail network faster.”
