Submissions open for CAM Pathfinder: Enable Programme (United Kingdom)

The aim of this competition is to support the UK Government’s ambition to advance Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) services in high value areas into commercial offerings. This will be achieved by funding trials led by service operators or entities who benefit directly from the end use of CAM in live or analogous settings. The design of the trial services should be dictated by a ‘market pull’ rather than a ‘technology push’. Suitably mature technologies should be used in order to answer commercial operational business case requirements, rather than developing technologies during the project. Your proposal must outline a project for a live trial with real stakeholders, to demonstrate clear potential towards a commercial CAM service. Your proposal must identify the type of service to be trialled, for example, passenger services, freight, last-mile delivery, and identify key aspects of the deployment domain. Your proposal must also clearly identify all key roles and responsibilities including, but not limited to: the Authorised Self Driving Entity (ASDE), the No-User-in-Charge Operator (NUiCO) and the land owner or body responsible for the operating domain. Where relevant, connectivity providers, maintenance organisations and other key organisations should be identified.

The CAM Pathfinder: Enable competition is part of the UK Government’s ongoing effort to establish the nation as a leader in Connected and Automated Mobility. The programme seeks to build a strong foundation for an early commercial market by funding large-scale trials that demonstrate the commercial viability and safety of CAM operations. Through this initiative, the government aims to position the UK as a first mover in Europe for CAM deployment.

Applicants must propose projects that last between 18 and 24 months, begin by 1 June 2026, and conclude by 31 May 2028. The total eligible grant funding request must be between £2 million and £4 million. Each project must trial suitably mature CAM technologies in plausible commercial services, defining operational models and business cases that can lead to large-scale deployment. The projects are expected to generate measurable economic benefits for the lead organisations and the UK.

Eligible lead organisations include UK-registered businesses of any size, local authorities, and transport authorities, specifically those that will directly benefit from the end use of the CAM service. Collaboration is required with at least one other UK-registered organisation, which may include businesses, academic institutions, charities, not-for-profits, public sector organisations, or research and technology organisations.

Funding will support industrial research and experimental development projects. Micro and small organisations can receive up to 70% funding for industrial research and up to 45% for experimental development, while large organisations can receive up to 50% and 25% respectively. A 3.5% industrial contribution on the grant amount must be paid to Zenzic by all partners. Research organisations can participate on a non-economic basis and share up to 30% or 50% of total eligible costs depending on the project lead type.

Each project must consider and report on operational models, role definitions, legal and ethical liability, regulatory compliance, staff training, assurance processes, data management, safety cases, insurance engagement, infrastructure requirements, scalability, and supplier requirements. Projects using public roads must comply with the Department for Transport’s Code of Practice on Automated Vehicle Trialling.

Projects focused solely on technology development, lower automation levels, drones, rail, aircraft, or military applications are not eligible. The funding aims to stimulate commercially viable CAM services such as passenger and freight operations, building confidence for broader future deployment across the UK.

For more information, visit GOV.UK.