Request for proposal:

Transport Research Arena 2026

By the present procurement procedure, EIT Urban Mobility, hereinafter being referred to as “EIT UM”, is seeking professional support for Transport Research Arena 2026 “TRA 2026” (hereinafter being referred to as “the contractor”). This document, along with its annexes, constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by EIT Urban Mobility for a potential procurement of services in the field of conference and expo organisation within TRA 2026 in Budapest.

The Transport Research Arena (TRA) is Europe’s flagship transport research and innovation conference, initiated by the European Commission and key stakeholders. It is the largest European conference of its kind, covering all transport modes and mobility aspects. As a premier forum for European transport innovation, TRA brings together academia, industry, policymakers, and civil society to shape the future of transport research and innovation. The 2026 edition, hosted in Budapest from 18^th to 21^st May 2026, will showcase European and global know-how and put the spotlight on young researchers and next-generation solutions under the motto “Re-Generation in Transport”.

In 2026, Europe’s biggest Transport Research Conference will take place in Budapest, offering a unique opportunity to showcase innovations and developments and to bring together international experts as well as industrial, public, and other stakeholders. According to preliminary estimates, more than 3,000 participants are expected to attend. Participants will have the opportunity to debate the challenges in the transport sector and discuss the latest research results and future developments in mobility and transport. The academic scene and research networks in Hungary and across Europe are highly active, and the conference aims to provide young researchers with a platform to be heard and to build valuable connections within the international transport community.

EIT Urban Mobility aims at participating in TRA 2026 as a partner and exhibitor, ensuring a visible and active presence both in the conference programme and in the exhibition area. This participation is conceived not as a standalone communication activity, but as a strategic engagement in one of the most important European forums shaping the future of transport research, innovation, and policy, and as a platform to position EIT Urban Mobility as a key actor connecting research excellence with real-world implementation and impact in cities. The objectives of EIT Urban Mobility’s participation in the Transport Research Arena 2026 are to:

• Strengthen the positioning of EIT Urban Mobility at European level as the leading innovation community in urban mobility and as a bridge between research, innovation, deployment, and policy.
• Increase awareness of EIT Urban Mobility’s mission, activities, and portfolio among European research, policy, industry, and city stakeholders.
• Engage with new stakeholders, including cities, research organisations, innovators, and public authorities, and foster the development of new strategic collaborations.
• Reinforce relationships with existing partners by providing a high-level European platform for visibility, exchange of knowledge, and networking.
• Contribute to the European debate on the future of transport and mobility by showcasing integrated, impact-oriented approaches to innovation and system transformation.
• Support the integration of Central and Eastern European innovation ecosystems more strongly into European transport and mobility innovation networks.

Check the Request for Proposals here.

To apply, please send the completed and signed the Tender’s Submission and Declaration Form.

Deadline for submissions: 30 March 2026 at 16.00 (CET)