Questions related to specific topics and research asks
G1. Will there be an Expression of Interest phase?
Following feedback and suggestions received at the UKRRIN Inspire event, we have included an optional expression of interest phase. This will provide an opportunity to receive early feedback on your ideas and an indication of how well proposals match the research asks.
G2. Where can I find more information on past research and relevant standards?
RSSB have a research catalogue (Research Catalogue) where you can find completed project reports. Relevant projects are mentioned in the research asks. A wider range of research projects can be found on SPARK (SPARK).
RSSB standards are publicly available (Standards Catalogue).
G3. I have carried out research that is relevant to one of the research asks. How should I include this in my proposal?
Your track record is relevant and important. Please include links to relevant past research in your proposal, alongside the details of the consortium.
G4. Are the indicative budgets approved? What is the risk that funding will not be ultimately made available?
The overall budgets have been ring-fenced by both RSSB and Network Rail, and senior leadership are fully committed to the process.
To ensure that the budgets are released in a timely manner, both RSSB and Network Rail are in the process of gaining full budget approval in advance of receiving high quality proposals.
G5. Who will be involved in the selection of the proposals against each ask?
RSSB and Network Rail will review proposals and select successful projects for funding. If necessary and valuable, and if there are no conflicts of interest, industry experts will be invited to support the selection process. Please see the proposal guidance for the selection criteria.
G6. What role and visibility do cross-industry groups like System Interface Committees have?
Relevant cross-industry groups have provided feedback on the research asks. These groups will not be directly involved in the selection process but will have a role in supporting the successful projects.
G7. In the context of the pilot, what is the difference between industrial partners and funders?
Funders are organisations that actively contribute to the UKRRIN² pilot. This contribution could be via:
- Co-funding the asks put forward by Network Rail and RSSB in cash or in-kind (e.g. provision of data, provision of test bed, production of prototypes)
- The funding of other academic work in the topic areas that is made visible (at least in terms of high-level scope and expected outcomes) to the other funders within the topic
All funders are ‘industrial partners’.
G8. Can an organisation be involved in the pilot if it is not funding and / or contributing to relevant work?
Providing co-funding to the pilot (as covered in G7) is essential for private and public organisations to be considered industrial partners.
Private and public organisations can be a ‘pilot supporter’ if they are involved in the delivery of the research within the pilot (e.g. providing modest support to one ask).
Public organisations can also be a ‘pilot supporter’ if they are interested in applying the outcomes from the pilot and / or provide future funds for academic research in one of the topic areas.
Questions related to research asks
Vehicle/Track
VT1. For methods of extending crossing life: is this for in-situ or ex-situ repairs, or both?
Response pending
VT2. For the optimisation of rail profile treatment and efficient deployment of rail grinding and milling systems: Is this more about profiles than physical grinding approaches and rail surface quality resulting from the two processes?
Response pending
Electric traction power