National · Ukraine · Brave1 defence-tech cluster (Government of Ukraine: Ministry of Digital Transformation, Ministry of Defence and partners)
Brave1 is Ukraine's government defence-tech cluster, uniting the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Ministry of Defence and security agencies to fund and fast-track battlefield technologies. Its updated grant programme pays tiered grants from UAH 500,000 for idea testing up to UAH 8 million for production and combat testing, covering UAVs, ground and naval drones, EW and cyber systems, ISR equipment and missile and artillery weapons; applications run through grants.brave1.tech. In 2026 the cluster also launched grant competitions of over UAH 100 million per project for breakthrough technologies and international instruments (Brave International, the EU-funded EU4UA Defence Tech programme and the UNITE-Brave NATO procurement programme) with a combined budget above EUR 100 million.
The fastest route from prototype to combat-validated deployment anywhere in Europe; grants are non-dilutive and success feeds directly into Ukrainian and, increasingly, NATO procurement.
Continuously open
Applications via the Brave1 grants platform after defence expertise review.
Dates not announced · EUR 3.3 million programme; grants up to EUR 150,000
For developments at TRL 5-6; two further rounds announced for 2026, dates not yet published.
Danish Ministry of Defence / Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI/DALO)
The single largest pot of near-term Danish defence procurement money, with an explicit invitation for industry to propose what to buy. Speed to fielding is the main selection criterion.
German Federal Government (BMVg and BMI)
One of very few German vehicles paying companies directly for security and defence-relevant research, with multi-million-euro phased contracts. Procurement-law process means longer lead times; watch the partnering events.
Next deadline 6 Oct
Industrial Development Agency (Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu S.A.), Polish state development agency
A flexible state lender willing to bank defence-industry companies that commercial banks often avoid, useful for contract financing and liquidity in scaling defence production. No fixed calls: financing is negotiated case by case.