EU Grant Opportunity for Innovation Development in Drone Technologies

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ICPE invites its member states to disseminate this EU-funded opportunity to relevant research and technology stakeholders, including drone manufacturers, SMEs, AI and IoT companies, and research institutes. This grant supports the development and demonstration of innovative drone-based solutions addressing real-world challenges in agriculture, forestry, and rural areas.

Projects will explore novel applications, data services, hardware improvements, and regulatory frameworks to foster safe, efficient, and environmentally sustainable drone operations.

Key Details of the Programme

Funding Available: Up to €60,000 per project (lump-sum).
Total Budget: €180,000 dedicated to this call edition.
Number of Projects: 3 awards anticipated in this call.
Duration:
12 months, divided into three phases: Design, Development, Market.
Launch Date: 2 February 2024.
Application Deadline: 7 May 2024.
Implementation Phases
- Phase 1 (Design): Sep 1 – Oct 31, 2024;
- Phase 2 (Develop): Nov 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025;
- Phase 3 (Market): Jun 1 – Aug 31, 2025.

Eligibility Criteria at a Glance

Applicants must be a legally established SME or research institute in EU or Associated Countries.
Valid VAT number or national registration number required.
Entities affiliated with the host project are not eligible.
One proposal per applicant; funded applicants cannot apply again.
Proposals must address challenges in agriculture, forestry, or rural logistics using drone technologies.

Programme Benefits Beyond Funding

Access to an established EU ecosystem for drone innovation.
Technical advisory on drone system optimization and data analytics.
Support in navigating regulatory and safety frameworks.
Networking opportunities with industry experts and potential end users.
Visibility through participation in large-scale demonstration events.

Evaluation and Award Process

Proposals will be remotely evaluated by experts against four criteria:

Concept and Feasibility (25%)
Technological Innovation and Readiness (25%)
Impact and Exploitation Potential (25%)
Organizational Capacity and Resource Allocation (25%)

In case of tied scores at the funding threshold, tie-breaking will consider impact, then feasibility, then resource sufficiency, with interviews as a final recourse.

ICPE’s Preparatory Support Services

Guidance on proposal structuring and application procedures.
Expert review of technical concepts and data strategy.
Advice on ethical, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Connections to potential demonstration sites and stakeholders.
Feedback loops during application drafting.

Next Steps for SMEs Interested in Applying

Initial Self-Assessment: Verify basic eligibility (ICPE guidance available).
Resource Compilation: Gather essential documents including pitch materials, financial records, SME declaration, etc.
Application Finalization: Utilize ICPE’s expert feedback and submit applications promptly upon the call’s reopening.

To express your interest in the Grant Opportunity, please complete the form below.

For any questions or clarifications, feel free to contact us at programmes@icpe.int.

This form is no longer available – the submission period has ended.

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