The UFO project is seeking to support collaborative projects (of 2 or more SMEs) to develop innovative products and services by integrating new technology solutions and know how in the Small Flying Objects (SFO) sector i.e. Smallsats, Drones and High Altitude platform systems. The call is aimed at addressing technology challenges across six emerging industries including Blue Growth, Climate, Environment, Mobility technologies, Digital Creative & Gaming and Finance and Insurance.

Participation is open to all SMEs based in one of the UFO partners countries (Bulgaria, France, Greece, Romania, United Kingdom) with 18th February 2021 set as the deadline for submissions.

Blue Growth, one of the sectors being targeted in this call, faces a number of key challenges in areas such as surveillance for illegal fishing, the management of coastal water quality, metocean monitoring and forecasting, monitoring of offshore renewable assets and aquaculture activities as well as many others.  As Blue Growth activities generally take place over very large areas of sea and ocean, airborne surveillance as well as satellite constellations and Small Flying Objects can offer valuable solutions to address these and other challenges. Maintenance of surveillance capabilities on and beneath vast areas of ocean is very challenging and requires emerging technologies as well as complex information and data services.

The UFO Call of Interest is seeking to support collaborations between SMEs which can address challenges across the 6 emerging sectors; this may include innovations and technology solutions in sensors, platforms providers, data service providers, modelling specialists and application developers. Successful applications will receive financial support through voucher schemes of up to Euro 60,000 for collaborative projects that offer solutions to the technology challenges.

For more information please visit: https://www.ufoproject.eu/call-for-proposals/

The aim of the support and finance is to enable SMEs to bring their ideas closer to realisation and market. SMEs are encouraged to submit their cross-border and cross-sectoral disruptive ideas in this Call for proposals detailing their business proposition, technical and commercialisation challenges and the assistance they require.  

To apply for the funding, applications should be put together by a consortium of at least 2 SMEs, one Small Flying Object technology SME and one market SME from one of the six targeted emerging industries. Applications from cross-border consortia are highly recommended.

To view a movie detailing the call for funding please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_LCrAl2eWA