Home  /  Newsroom  /  News  /  NCIA supports NATO and Ukraine with next steps for UNITE-Brave innovation programme

Apr 2 2026

NCIA supports NATO and Ukraine with next steps for UNITE-Brave innovation programme

Ukraine’s defence tech cluster Brave1 will coordinate from Ukraine’s side. NATO has selected the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) to execute the first competition, via the UNITE-Brave NATO web portal. Companies can now register for matchmaking on the portal and teams will use it to submit their joint proposals when the competition window opens in spring 2026. Companies from NATO Nations interested in applying to the programme should contact their respective NATO delegations to check their eligibility for contracts.

The first competition will bring new innovative products to the frontline, with a focus on counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), strengthened air defence and secure frontline communications. During this first round, NATO and Ukraine will jointly evaluate the project proposals and NCIA will award innovation contracts worth a total value of EUR 10 million, allocated equally by NATO and Ukraine in line with the NATO Procurement Opportunity page.

In addition to the first competition, work is underway for further UNITE – Brave NATO competitions to solve today’s hardest military innovation challenges and foster deeper interoperability through partnership. NATO and Ukraine are prepared to scale funding further, up to EUR 50 million.

Funding for Allied companies under UNITE – Brave NATO is provided by NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine (CAP). Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation sponsors activities for Ukrainian companies.