ECDI Civil Drones Innovative Programme

Objectif

The Programme aims to support SMEs in:
- the technological maturation of their drone solutions,
- the structuring of their innovation strategy,
- access to civil and defence-related markets.

Critères d'éligibilité

Applicants must be manufacturing SMEs operating in the drone sector and seeking to upgrade their product technologically and develop or strengthen dual-use applications.

Applicants must:
- qualify as an SME under EU Recommendation 2003/361/EC,
- be independent or compliant with EU definitions of partner/linked enterprises,
- employ fewer than 250 persons and have:an annual turnover ≤ €50 million, or an annual balance sheet total ≤ €43 million,
- have at least one drone product at TRL 6 or higher and commit to increasing the TRL by at least one level during the Programme.

Applicants must be established in:
- an EU Member State, or
- a country participating in the EU Single Market Programme / COSME Strand.

Technologies clés

Civil drones applications

Typologie de consortium

Selected SMEs will benefit from:
- individual assessment and roadmap definition,
- mentorship throughout the Programme,
- tailored technical, regulatory, business and testing services,
- access to training and internationalisation support,
- possibility to participate in the Innovation Drone Alliance,
- equity-free funding of up to €50,000, linked to the Innovation Plan.