Mode Shift Revenue Support and Waterborne Freight Grant applications: overview
Updated 4 February 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-transport-delivers-more-grant-funding-to-transport-freight-by-rail/mode-shift-revenue-support-and-waterborne-freight-grant-applications-and-background-information
Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme extended until March 2026
The Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) scheme is extended until 31 March 2026. This means that both the MSRS and the the Waterborne Freight Grant will now expire on 31 March 2026.
Freight grants guidance
There are 2 steps to apply for and receive funding from the:
- Mode shift revenue support scheme (MSRS) for rail and inland waterways (PDF, 633KB)
- Waterborne Freight Grant (WFG) for coastal and short sea shipping (PDF, 327KB)
Companies must:
- Originally register, to be verified by the Department for Transport (DfT) as suitable to receive journey grant funding.
- Make individual claims for individual journeys, once registered and verified.
Applying for freight grants
To bid for the different freight grant schemes, complete the:
- MSRS Intermodal registration form
- MSRS Bulk and Waterways registration form
- Waterborne Freight Grant registration form
Applications are prioritised on the basis of value for money using the benefit cost ratio (BCR). Applications need to have a minimum BCR of 2:1 and a value of £5,000.
Application closing dates
Applications can be made for funding in the financial years 2023 to 2025.
2024 to 2025
The closing dates for applications are:
- 9 February 2024, Rail Period 1 (1 April 2024)
- 7 June 2024, Rail Period 4 (23 June 2024)
Claiming for payment
Following an award, you can make a freight grant scheme claim by emailing freightgrants@dft.gov.uk with the relevant completed form. The form you need to use is:
- MSRS Intermodal journey grant application form (ODS)
- MSRS Bulk and Waterways journey grant application form (ODS)
- Waterborne Freight Grant journey grant application form (ODS)
Grants awarded
A listing of all awards since December 2014 is available. Awards prior to December 2014 are available on the National Archives website.