The Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF), with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Brave1, and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES), announces a new grant program for manufacturers of firefighting Unmanned Aerial Systems and Unmanned Ground Vehicles. Developers can receive a grant of up to 8 million UAH to create innovative systems capable of extinguishing fires in the most dangerous and hard-to-reach locations.
Transforming Emergency Response
The initiative aims to transfer the technological success of the defense sector to civil safety.
“Ukrainian drones and robots have already become a game-changer on the battlefield, and they are equally capable of increasing the state’s efficiency in extinguishing fires”, stated Mykhailo Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation. “The grant program from USF and Brave1 will help launch the firefighting drone market. And Ukrainian rescuers will receive innovative tools that will help extinguish fires without endangering personnel”.
Technical Requirements for Applicants
The program focuses on supporting manufacturers who can meet specific, high-performance criteria for operation in extreme environments.
Firefighting Aerial Systems (UAS)
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Functionality: Remote control with the ability to deliver fire extinguishing agents.
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Endurance: Minimum 45 minutes of flight time with payload.
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Payload Capacity: Up to 25 kg.
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Operating Conditions: Must function effectively in temperatures ranging from -10°C to +60°C.
Firefighting Ground Robots (UGV)
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Functionality: Equipped with a remotely controlled fire monitor (nozzle).
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Control Range: Minimum 2 km radius.
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Payload Capacity: From 200 kg.
Funding and Scaling Opportunities
The maximum grant size for a single developer is 8 million UAH. However, to support iterative development and increase Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), developers may receive up to 5 grants within one budget year, totaling up to 30 million UAH.
Strategic Context: Why This Matters
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine eliminates the consequences of hostile shelling daily. This often involves extinguishing fires in potentially mined areas or locations under threat of secondary attacks. While the SES utilizes drones, the existing fleet does not cover all firefighting needs.
This program serves as a direct investment in safety. By deploying robotic systems to high-risk zones, Ukraine aims to minimize risks to human personnel, improve rescue operation efficiency, and protect critical infrastructure.
A Focus on Dual-Use Technology
This initiative represents a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Internal Affairs, SES, and the innovation ecosystem.
“The new priority of the Ukrainian Startup Fund is the development of dual-use technologies that can bring benefit to Ukraine here and now”, noted Iryna Zabolotna, Deputy Director of the Innovation Development Fund. “We are very happy to cooperate with the SES, within which we will be able to launch an entire direction of firefighting drones in Ukraine. And the expertise that Brave1 has developed with manufacturers of UAVs and ground robots [will help] achieve maximum results. We look forward to applications from developers”.
How to Apply
Applications for the grant program are now open via the USF portal.
