Brave1 and NATO launch competition for counter-drone and air defence solutions: grants up to €1m

On 28 July, Ukraine’s state defence technology cluster Brave1, together with NATO, opened applications for the joint UNITE – Brave NATO grant programme. The first competition is focused on developing technologies to counter hostile drones and strengthen air defence capabilities.

To participate in UNITE – Brave NATO, Ukrainian and NATO-member companies must submit a joint application. Each partner can apply for grants ranging from €250,000 to €500,000, with a maximum grant of €1 million available for the combined team.

For the first time, the competition is being conducted through Ukraine’s Prozorro public procurement system. Applications for the qualification stage are accepted until 3 August.

During the first stage, applicants are screened for compliance with the programme’s eligibility requirements. The application must be submitted by the Ukrainian developer on behalf of both partners — the Ukrainian company and its NATO-country counterpart.

The submission package must include:

• A declaration confirming the applicant meets the programme’s eligibility requirements;
• An extract from Ukraine’s Unified State Register of Legal Entities, Individual Entrepreneurs and Public Organisations;
• Information on the company’s ownership structure;
• A declaration confirming the existence of a partner company from a NATO member state;
• A signed accession statement to the programme’s non-disclosure agreement.

After 3 August, Brave1 will stop accepting applications and begin reviewing the submitted documentation.

The second stage of the programme will run from 11 to 31 August, during which eligible teams will submit their full joint grant proposals. Only companies that successfully pass the compliance review will be invited to participate.

At this stage, applicants will be required to submit a complete proposal, including a description of the joint product, a development roadmap, a budget, and supporting documentation.

The competition rules and application form are available on the Prozorro page.