tips on completing tsb competition application form - experience from the rail competition

Transport Knowledge Transfer Network ( KTN ) [email protected] www.transportktn.org

Experience from a similar competition in the rail sector:

Accelerating Innovationin Rail (AIR)

Jim LuptonRail Specialist

[email protected] www.transportktn.org

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, householdnames to lesser known.

• In the end TSB and RSSBinvested £5m,with matching taking it to £10min total competition value.

• Some very exciting projects.


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!


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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!


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.


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).


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.


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.


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.

Transport Knowledge Transfer Network ( KTN ) [email protected] www.transportktn.org

Thank you

Jim Lupton

[email protected]

tips on completing tsb competition application form - experience from the rail competition

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