Active travel innovators offered grants of up to £100,000

The Government has launched a £1m competition to support projects developing active travel innovations. The scheme will be administered by Active Travel England (ATE), which says that each successful project will receive a grant of up to £100,000. 

The Active Travel Innovation Fund is inviting applications from small to medium-sized businesses and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Funding will support new ideas or to expand on successful initiatives that are already making a difference, said the ATE. It cited examples such as community projects that help under-represented groups make more active travel choices, partnerships between councils and local communities or businesses to promote sustainable travel, or digital tools that improve safety and accessibility.

In addition to funding, successful applicants will get practical support from ATE and the Government Grant Managed Service (GGMS). This could include help with building partnerships, connecting with new stakeholders, or setting up ways to measure and track the success of their projects.

The funding period of projects will run for 12 months, followed by an evaluation process, with each organisation asked to share a case study and final report into how the funds have made an impact.  

Chris Boardman, National Active Travel Commissioner, said: “The Active Travel Innovation Fund will help turn great ideas into real improvements for people who walk, wheel, or cycle. Enabling more people get about under their own steam is one of the most important interventions we can make to improve the nation’s health, so it’s crucial that we support bold projects that will help us do this.”

The Minister for Local Transport, Lilian Greenwood, said: “Walking, wheeling, and cycling bring huge physical and mental health benefits. We are determined to make them easy and safe choices for people across the country.

“The Government is providing £1m to back bold projects from small businesses and community groups to encourage more people to choose these healthier, more active, options for short journeys.”

The window for applications runs from 6 October to 14 November 2025.

For full details and eligibility criteria, visit the government Find a Grant website.

Find out about groundbreaking projects at Active Travel Innovations 2025