The Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) partnership focuses on three critical urban sectors (and their interrelationships) which are laid out in its roadmap as Transition Pathways (TP). The basis of the opportunity topics are these three TPs, with several topics defined under each pathway.
UK funding will only be available for the opportunity topics within the ‘15-minute city’ transition pathway.
The 15-minute city (15mC) transition pathway fosters sustainable urban mobility transitions by improving accessibility and connectivity, starting from the neighbourhood level.
The concept of the 15mC is based on the idea that city dwellers should be able to cover the vast majority of their daily needs within a 15-minute radius, by walking and cycling, while connecting to further districts and travelling larger distances by other forms of sustainable transport.
The 15mC seeks to establish integrated and mixed-used neighbourhoods at large, which are key to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in the transport and logistic sector and adapt urban environments to the challenges of climate change. Thus, the 15mC wants to account for the diversity of contemporary lifestyles and boost climate-neutral, liveable and inclusive cities.
The 15mC objective is to facilitate analysis, elaboration, experimenting and testing of innovations for 15-minute cities in co-creative settings, bringing these together in a 15mC innovation portfolio of 50+ experiences and practices, recognising different urban contexts and focusing on transferability.
The three topics within this pathway are:
- 15mC topic one: strengthen the mix of urban functions and services
- 15mC topic two: foster sustainable options for personal mobility and logistics in urban outskirts (and beyond)
- 15mC topic three: reimagine urban public spaces and streets for vibrant, sustainable neighbourhoods.
Read the full topic descriptions on the DUT website.
The UK research part of the project must be social science led (at least 50% within ESRC’s remit). However, we strongly encourage the inclusion of arts and humanities and engineering and physical science researchers in projects.
Funding available
We aim to support eight to 10 projects. The full economic cost of the UK part of the project can be up to £415,000. ESRC, AHRC and EPSRC will typically fund 80% of the full economic cost.
Funding is available for additional eligible collaborators, including other research entities such as not for profit or public sector organisations. The inclusion of such collaborators is not mandatory for the UK but is strongly encouraged.
Read Innovate UK’s costs guidance for non-academic organisations.
Depending upon the size of the business, or the nature of the organisation (third sector or local authority), and the closeness to market of the activity, the percentage of total costs eligible for Innovate UK funding will vary.
Read more about Innovate UK’s funding rules.
At least:
- 40% of the UK overall budget per project must be spent by academic partners
- 30% of the UK overall budget per project must be spent by business partners.
In addition, up to 30% can be spent by additional eligible collaborators including other research entities such as not for profit, or public sector organisations.
