Ukraine and the European Union have jointly launched the €3.3 million BRAVE1 grant programme under the EU4UA Defence Tech initiative, aiming to accelerate the development of advanced defence technologies. The first round of grants will focus on high-speed interceptors and radar systems, with each award offering up to €150,000—double the standard Brave1 grant amount.
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov, highlighted the programme’s strategic importance: “Protecting the sky from Russian drones is a priority not only for Ukraine, but for the whole of Europe. 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.”
EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernová, added: “EU4UA Defence Tech is an important initiative of the European Union dedicated to Ukraine’s defence innovation. Supporting this work is both a commitment to Ukraine’s survival and to the safety of Europe itself.”
Applications for the first round are open from 1 December 2025 to 14 January 2026. Eligible companies with technology at readiness levels 5-6 can apply for funding covering technology validation, prototype creation, intellectual property protection, and testing. Applicants will undergo a compliance review, defence assessment, and pitch before a selection committee—including representatives from Brave1, BRDO, the EU Defence Innovation Office, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, and the General Staff of the Armed Forces—chooses the winners. Two further rounds are planned in 2026 to address pressing defence technology needs.
Beyond grants, the EU4UA Defence Tech initiative strengthens Ukraine’s broader defence tech ecosystem. It supports regulatory improvements, the Brave1 Expo Room, international events, and a dedicated hackathon to integrate Ukrainian solutions into the EU defence landscape. Funded by the European Union and implemented by BRDO in partnership with Brave1, the project runs from September 2025 to February 2027, reinforcing the innovation capacity of Ukraine’s Defence Technological Industrial Base and EU-Ukraine security cooperation.
