The Ukrainian Startup Fund and Brave1, with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine are launching the “Innovative Prosthetics” grant program for Ukrainian developers of prosthetics technologies.
Ukrainian developers can receive a non-repayable state grant of up to UAH 8 million to develop, test, and refine prosthetics technologies – covering the entire process from concept validation to the creation of a functional prototype.
The grant program focuses on supporting developers of:
Upper and lower limb prosthetics solutions – bionic, electronic, and mechanical systems that enhance the functionality and comfort of prostheses.
Innovative prosthetic components – electronics, actuators, battery systems, mechanical assemblies, and other technologies that can reduce Ukrainian manufacturers’ reliance on imported components.
Prosthetic personalization and customization solutions – including 3D printing technologies and other solutions that allow prostheses to be adapted to an individual’s specific needs.
The maximum grant amount per developer is UAH 8 million. The grant amount depends on the technology readiness level:
◼ Up to UAH 2 million – for testing an idea
◼ Up to UAH 4 million – for creating a laboratory prototype
◼ Up to UAH 8 million – for creating a prototype or a finished product
Applications for the grant program are submitted via the Fund’s portal via the link: https://portal.usf.com.ua/
Why is this important? Background for the program launch
Since 2022, the need for prosthetics in Ukraine has remained consistently high, while the Ukrainian prosthetics market faces a number of challenges. These include lengthy cycles for reimbursement and waiting times for fitting, insufficient customization of solutions, high maintenance and repair costs, and a shortage of regional service centers. Furthermore, the development of domestic technologies is hindered by a reliance on imported critical components, high R&D and testing costs, long development cycles, complex certification processes, and a shortage of specialists in biomechanics, electronics, and industrial design.
Thus, the “Innovative Prosthetics” grant program aims to invest in the development of Ukrainian technologies capable of making prostheses more functional, personalized, and accessible to users.
The program’s goal is to create conditions enabling Ukrainian teams to progress from an innovative idea to a functional prototype – including testing, certification, and subsequent scaling in both Ukrainian and international markets.
Supporting developers will enable the creation of domestic technologies and components, the growth of Ukrainian manufacturing, a reduction in import dependency, and the development of solutions tailored to the individual needs of people with amputations.
The grant program is implemented by the Innovation Development Fund; within this framework, the Ukrainian Startup Fund oversees civil innovations, while Brave1 handles defense innovations, with support from the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine.
Source: https://usf.com.ua
