On 1 December the EU4UA Defence Tech program began, implemented with the support of the European Union together with BRDO. The first round is aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s air defense; the total fund is €3,300,000.
Who they are looking for and the conditions
The organizers are seeking developers of high‑speed interceptors with speeds above 450 km/h and modern radar systems. The maximum grant is €150,000; funds may be used to create, improve, and test prototypes. Applications are accepted from teams with a technology readiness level (TRL) of 5–6.
Selection, timelines and what’s next
The selection will take place in three stages: compliance check, assessment of the projects’ defensive potential, and a final pitch before an expert committee. Applications are open until 14 January 2026.
Projects will be evaluated by a special commission including representatives of Brave1, BRDO, the Ministry of Defence, the General Staff, and the EU Office of Defence Innovation in Kyiv, as well as an independent observer. Two more grant rounds are planned in 2026 according to frontline needs; the program will run until February 2027 and includes hackathons and regulatory support.
Separate support for veteran business ideas was announced: 100 projects will receive grants of up to 1.5 million UAH. A Kharkiv factory has already received the first maximum grant for restoration.
