EU4UA Defence Tech: EU and Ukraine launch new €3.3 million BRAVE1 grant programme

On 1 December, Ukraine and the European Union launched a new €3.3 million BRAVE1 grant programme under the EU4UA Defence Tech initiative to accelerate the development of technological innovations. 

The first round of grants will focus on high-speed interceptors and radar systems. Brave1 and the Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO), with support from the EU, are implementing the programme.

“Protecting the sky from Russian drones is a priority not only for Ukraine, but for the whole of Europe,” said First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov. “Thanks to the EU4UA Defence Tech programme, we will be able to bring products to market that can significantly strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities and technological autonomy.” 

He added that the maximum grant amount is €150,000 – twice as much as the standard Brave1 grant programme provides. 

“EU4UA Defence Tech is an important initiative of the European Union dedicated to Ukraine’s defence innovation,” said EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová. “When Ukraine shields its sky, it shields its people — and the EU stands by Ukraine as it confronts relentless Russian attacks. Supporting this work is both a commitment to Ukraine’s survival and to the safety of Europe itself.”

Applications for the first round of the Brave1 Grant Programme EU4UA Defence Tech are open from 1 December. Companies can apply through the portal until 14 January 2026. 

Companies that have developments with a technology readiness level of 5-6 can apply. The funding will cover technology validation, prototype creation, intellectual property protection and testing.

In 2026, two further rounds will be launched to cater for the most urgent defence technology needs.

Beyond grants, the EU4UA Defence Tech initiative drives the broader development of Ukraine’s defence tech ecosystem. It advances regulatory improvements, opens the Brave1 Expo Room, and supports international events and a dedicated hackathon to integrate Ukrainian solutions more deeply into the EU defence landscape.

The EU4UA Defence Tech project, funded by the European Union, is implemented by BRDO in partnership with Brave1 from September 2025 until February 2027. It aims to strengthen the innovation capacities of the Ukrainian Defence Technological Industrial Base, contributing to enhanced EU-Ukraine security cooperation.

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Press release