Call for Candidate to Host TRA 2030 Now Open

Monday, May 5th, 2025

Host the 13th Transport Research Arena – TRA 2030
Deadline for applications: 31 January 2026

ALICE, in collaboration with its co-organising platforms, is pleased to announce the launch of the Call for Candidate to host the 13th edition of the Transport Research Arena (TRA) – Europe’s leading conference on transport research and innovation – to be held in 2030.

TRA is a biennial event that brings together policy makers, researchers, industry representatives, public authorities, and innovators from across Europe and beyond. The conference provides a unique platform to explore the latest developments in sustainable, smart, and inclusive transport and mobility. It serves as a hub for knowledge exchange, cross-sector collaboration, and showcasing breakthrough solutions in both passenger and freight transport.

Since its launch in 2006, TRA has been hosted by cities including Gothenburg, Liubliana, Brussels, Athens, Paris, Warsaw, Vienna, Helsinki, Lisbon, and Dublin and with a strong involvement of Transport Research across the countries and the whole Europe. Upcoming editions will take place in Budapest (2026) and Milan (2028). The call is now open for European countries interested in hosting TRA 2030.

Why host TRA?

Hosting TRA is a unique opportunity to:

Position your country and city as a leader in European transport research and innovation
Highlight your national research and innovation ecosystem and welcome peers across the globe.
Engage public and private stakeholders across the mobility and logistics sectors worldwide.
Leave a lasting legacy for future transport policy and sustainable innovation in your country and region.

Who can apply?

Expressions of interest are welcome from European countries with strong national support and experience in organising large-scale international events. Applications must be:

Endorsed by the national Ministry responsible for transport (and research, where relevant)
Supported by a host country consortium including at least one internationally recognised research organisation and a representative of the proposed host city or region
Backed by a team with proven capacity in event management, communications, logistics, and financial planning

Applicants must also demonstrate a financial commitment to organising the event, covering all costs without reliance on EU funding.

Selection criteria include:

Official government support at national level
Strong host consortium and organisational experience
Accessible and well-connected city and venue
Comprehensive event budget and sponsorship plan
Engagement with European, regional, and national innovation ecosystems
Clear vision and proposed theme aligned with TRA’s legacy
Consideration of the EU Council Presidency in 2030
Commitment to managing the TRA website and branding

Further details on venue requirements, expected capacity, and technical criteria are provided in the full Call for Candidate document.

Timeline

Call launch: 30 April 2025
Application deadline: 31 January 2026
Evaluation: February 2026
Host announcement: May 2026 (during TRA 2026 in Budapest (18–21 May 2026))

Apply now

To learn more about hosting TRA 2030 and to view the full call document, please visit www.traconference.eu.

Applications should be submitted via email to the following addresses:

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