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Civil Drones Innovative Programme

Description

The Civil Drones Innovative Programme is a European funding initiative implemented under the European Cluster for Drone Innovation project and published on the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP). The programme supports manufacturing SMEs developing innovative civil and dual-use drone technologies.

The programme aims to strengthen Europe’s drone innovation ecosystem by supporting SMEs in:

  • Advancing the technological maturity of drone solutions
  • Structuring innovation strategies
  • Accessing civil and defence-related markets
  • Supporting green and digital transition objectives
  • Facilitating the development of dual-use drone applications.

Selected SMEs receive both financial support and tailored innovation services, including mentoring, technical assistance, regulatory support, testing services, training, and internationalisation support.

Funding Amount per Project

  • Equity-free funding of up to €50,000 per SME/project
  • Funding is linked to implementation of an Innovation Plan.
  • Funding rate: up to 80%
  • SMEs are expected to provide at least 20% co-financing.
  • Total programme budget: €1,250,000

Submission Deadlines

The programme has two cut-off dates:

  • 16 March 2026, 17:00 CET
  • 15 June 2026, 17:00 CET

Submission Conditions

Applications must:

  • Be submitted electronically via the online platform
  • Include a completed application form and all required supporting documents
  • Include an EU SME self-assessment
  • Demonstrate compliance with SME eligibility rules
  • Present at least one drone product at TRL 6 or above
  • Commit to increasing TRL by at least one level during the programme.

Additional submission conditions:

  • Only one application per SME per cut-off date
  • Incomplete applications may be rejected
  • Applications are evaluated by independent experts.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are assessed on:

  • Excellence and Innovation (30 points)
  • Impact (30 points)
  • Quality and Implementation (40 points)

Minimum thresholds:

  • Minimum total score: 50/100
  • At least 50% of points in each criterion.

Eligible Types of Businesses

Eligible applicants are:

  • Manufacturing SMEs in the drone sector
  • SMEs developing civil or dual-use drone technologies
  • Start-ups meeting EU SME criteria may also apply.

The following are not eligible:

  • Service providers
  • Non-manufacturing companies
  • SMEs without eligible products below TRL 6
  • Market-access-only projects.

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be established in:

  • EU Member States
  • Countries participating in the EU Single Market Programme (SMP)/COSME Strand.

Expected Outcome

Expected outcomes include:

  • Increased TRL of participating drone technologies
  • Stronger dual-use innovation capabilities
  • Improved competitiveness of European drone SMEs
  • Better access to civil and defence markets
  • Enhanced innovation strategies and internationalisation capacity
  • Strengthened European leadership in drone technologies.

Scope

The call targets:

  • Manufacturing SMEs active in the drone sector
  • SMEs developing civil and dual-use drone technologies
  • Projects focused on increasing the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of drone products
  • Innovation activities linked to product development rather than only market access.

The programme specifically supports:

  • Technological maturation of drone products
  • Development of dual-use applications
  • Innovation planning and implementation
  • Access to civil, environmental, security, and defence markets.

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