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); the closing date for submissions is 7th October 2021.

If your business is looking for partners for a UFO proposal you can log onto the online B2B platform here.

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, met ocean 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. Funding of up to Euro 60,000 for SMEs working in this area is available through this Call for Proposals.

For full details please find attached the press release regarding this opportunity together with the project logo and an infographic which can be used for publication.

More information can be found about the project here and about this call for proposals here.

This is an excellent opportunity for SMEs working in the shipping and maritime sectors using Small Flying Objects technologies. Companies can still find potential partners for their project proposals on the B2B platform.