Ukraine and NATO announced the launch of UNITE – Brave NATO, the Ukraine-NATO Innovation, Technology and Engineering programme on 25 November 2025. UNITE – Brave NATO is the first joint NATO-Ukraine programme on scaling prototyped and tested innovative technologies that help meet interoperability requirements. Ukraine’s defence tech cluster Brave1 will coordinate from Ukraine’s side. NATO has chosen the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) to execute the first competition.
The first competition will focus on bringing to the frontline new innovative products aiming to counter unmanned aerial systems, strengthen air defence and secure frontline communications. Teams of Allied and Ukrainian companies will be eligible for joint grants worth a total value of EUR 10 million, allocated equally by NATO and Ukraine. Companies will be able to register interest online in the near future and subsequently submit their joint bids in February 2026.
After a successful pilot competition, NATO and Ukraine are prepared to scale funding further, up to EUR 50 million for UNITE – Brave NATO for 2026. NATO will fund its contribution through its Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine (CAP) and Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation will match that amount.