Brave1 and NATO launch first round of UNITE program — Brave NATO, focusing on counter-UAV technology

25 March 2026 – The Ukrainian Defense Technology Cluster Brave1 and the NATO Headquarters Innovation Directorate, together with NCIA, are launching the first competition under the UNITE — Brave NATO program. The competition will focus on solutions to counter UAVs, as well as navigation tools in electronic warfare.

 Unlike traditional grant competitions, the UNITE — Brave NATO program is based on the mechanics of “matchmaking”. Submission of an application requires the creation of joint innovations, where companies from Ukraine — on the one hand, and NATO member states — on the other, combine their technologies to create a joint product. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the path of innovations from the TRL 7+ level (working prototype) to full-fledged combat use.

At the first stage, defense companies from Ukraine and NATO countries must register on the portal https://unite-brave-nato.brave1.tech and go through the compliance procedure. After verification, participants receive access to online matchmaking tools.

Verified companies will be able to view profiles, filter the search by category, and offer cooperation to colleagues (Ukrainian companies can only interact with international ones, and vice versa). If both parties show mutual interest, a “match” occurs. Their contact details become available to each other and they can interact directly.

Companies that have formed partnerships must start cooperation and submit a joint application. Finalists selected by a joint Ukraine-NATO expert commission will undergo testing in Ukraine, which will be the final stage of the project.

The total budget of the first round is 10 million euros. The maximum grant per joint application is 1 million euros (up to 500,000 euros per party). Brave1 will finance Ukrainian participants, while NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) will cover the costs of companies from NATO countries (subject to restrictions on non-lethal assistance).

“UNITE — Brave NATO is the first program in such a unique format that will help create synergy between defense companies of Ukraine and NATO countries. We expect that this initiative will help create real game changers in the most critical areas for us, such as air defense and persistent navigation without GPS, as well as enhance the interoperability of our defense systems. I am grateful to NATO for this bold step and the rapid development of a new defense architecture of the North Atlantic,” said the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov.

Key topics of the competition:

• Active protection systems against FPV drones
• Advanced and affordable countermeasure systems against Shaheeds
• Electromagnetic support for radio reconnaissance (RER)
• Electromagnetic defeat technologies against FPV drones
• High-altitude flight platforms
• Autonomous guidance systems

Companies that already have established partnerships with foreign companies and intend to submit a joint application for a grant will be able to do so after the official opening of applications on the portal http://portal.usf.com.ua

If a company does not wish to publish its data within the matchmaking tool, but wants to learn more about the topics of the competition, it can write to us by e-mail: unite@brave1.gov.ua.

The announcement of the winners of the first competition is expected in the summer of 2026. Detailed information about the program and registration form: https://unite-brave-nato.brave1.tech

Image courtesy Brave1