New Brave1 and BraveTech EU grants: up to UAH 8 million for interceptor drones, medevac UAVs, exoskeletons and more

Ukraine’s state defence technology cluster Brave1 has announced an обновлену version of its grant programme alongside the launch of a new special grants scheme under BraveTech EU.

Under the updated core programme, the cluster has expanded and refined the list of innovations eligible for funding. Together with the Defence Forces, Brave1 has identified 53 new technology priorities across nine areas that could provide Ukraine with a technological edge on the battlefield. The full list is available on the Brave1 grants page.

The revised programme offers grants ranging from UAH 500,000 to UAH 8 million, depending on the technology’s readiness level (TRL). Brave1 says applications will now be processed under an accelerated procedure, with decisions made within six weeks instead of three months. Legal documents will only be required after a project has been approved for funding.

The programme covers the full development cycle, from concept validation to prototype development and testing. Projects receiving UAH 4 million grants will undergo proving ground trials, while UAH 8 million grants include combat testing.

BraveTech EU special grants

The new BraveTech EU special grants programme is designed to support breakthrough technologies. Teams can receive up to UAH 8 million regardless of their technology’s readiness level, with the goal of delivering a working prototype.

More than 40 technology priorities are eligible, including:

• exoskeletons;
• medevac UAVs;
• active protection systems;
• high-speed strike systems;
• lightweight torpedoes;
• bunker-busting munitions; and
• other critical defence technologies.

Brave1 also announced that it will soon launch additional grant competitions with total funding exceeding UAH 100 million for breakthrough technologies. Priority areas will include humanoid robots, aerobuggies, anti-glide bomb systems, laser-based air defence and Ukrainian-made radars.