Main points
- Ukrainian companies can receive grants for the development of counter-drone technologies within the framework of UNITE – BRAVE NATO.
- To participate in the program, companies must team up with NATO partners and create a joint product.
UNITE – Brave NATO program / Collage of Channel 24
Ukrainian defense companies will be able to receive grants to develop technologies to counter drones. The first phase of the UNITE – BRAVE NATO program has been allocated 10 million euros.
How to get a developer grant?
The initiative is designed to promote cooperation between Ukrainian developers and companies from NATO countries to create joint solutions for the needs of the front. Details were disclosed by the Ministry of Digital Affairs on Wednesday, March 25.
The competition is being launched by the Ukrainian Defense Technology Cluster Brave1 and the NATO Headquarters Innovation Directorate in collaboration with NCIA. It will focus on solutions to counter UAVs, as well as navigation aids in electronic warfare environments.
To participate in the program, companies must team up and create a joint product. A special platform will help entrepreneurs find international partners more easily.
- Step #1 – Register on the portal using the link and complete the compliance check.
- Step #2 – After verification, participants gain access to the platform where they can view profiles, filter their search, and offer cooperation to NATO colleagues.
- Step #3 – If companies are interested in cooperation, they receive contacts and can form a joint team.
If you already have established partnerships with foreign companies, wait for the start of grant applications.
Important! The total budget for the first round is 10 million euros, but the maximum grant per team is 1 million euros (up to 500 thousand euros per side).
The finalists will be selected by an expert committee, after which they will undergo testing in Ukraine. The winners of the first competition are planned to be announced in the summer of 2026.
We expect this initiative to help create real game-changers in our most critical areas, such as air defense and persistent navigation without GPS, as well as enhance the interoperability of our defense systems,
– emphasized Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov.
What is known about Ukrainian technologies?
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As a reminder, Zelensky previously noted that Europe's security is currently “built” on Ukrainian technologies and drones. However, due to the war, not all domestic companies have sufficient opportunities to enter other markets.
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Despite this, it is planned to open 10 export centers in Europe in 2026. For example, UAVs are already being produced together with Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and the Netherlands.