CAM Pathfinder: Feasibility studies 2

Overview

The Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder programme funds feasibility studies that build investable business cases for early commercial CAM deployments in the UK. It aims to position the UK as a first mover by focusing on high-value deployment opportunities that can operate commercially without safety drivers at specified UK locations.

Scope

Projects must produce a detailed, decision-ready business case for a CAM service, or clearly evidence the remaining barriers and actions needed for investment. Activities can include limited trials only where essential to de-risk the service case. Proposals should engage regulators and technology providers, quantify jobs and productivity impacts, assess UK supply-chain opportunities, and conclude with a close-out report and review with Zenzic.

Key themes and topics

• Off-highway CAM services without public access
• Freight and logistics CAM services
• Personal mobility CAM services
• Public transport CAM services
• Specialist service vehicles (e.g. sweepers, refuse trucks)

Out of scope: subsystem-only business cases not linked to a live CAM service, technology-only feasibility/industrial research, rail/air/waterborne craft, micro goods vehicles/indoor/pavement robots, or services limited to SAE Level 3 or lower.

Project duration

6 to 9 months. Projects must not start before 1 April 2026 and must end by 31 March 2027.

Award value

Grant request between £100,000 and £250,000 per project. Total programme allocation up to £1.5 million (subject to quality and portfolio balance).

Funding rates

• SMEs: up to 70% of eligible project costs
• Medium businesses: up to 60%
• Large businesses: up to 50%
  Research organisations undertaking non-economic activity may claim up to 30% of total eligible costs when the lead is a business, or up to 50% when the lead is a local or transport authority (RTOs/charities/not-for-profits/public sector up to 100%; Je-S academics at 80% FEC).

Eligibility criteria

• Lead: UK-registered business of any size, or a UK local authority or transport authority. Businesses may lead alone; authorities must collaborate with at least one grant-claiming business. Academic institutions cannot lead or work alone.
• Partners (UK-registered): businesses, academic institutions, charities, not-for-profits, public sector bodies, RTOs. Effective collaborations should ensure no single partner claims >70% of total eligible costs and that entities are non-linked.
• Work must be carried out in the UK with intent to exploit results in the UK. Subcontractors permitted (overseas only with strong justification).
• One application per lead; non-leading organisations may collaborate in up to two applications.
• Standard subsidy control, sanctions, and ethical research requirements apply.