Case Study
Portuguese Navy pilots the first AI-certified agent
for defence grant applications
Portuguese Navy pilots the first AI-certified agent
for defence grant applications
Case Study
Portuguese Navy pilots the first AI-certified agent for defence grant applications
Case Study
Portuguese Navy pilots the first AI-certified agent
for defence grant applications
The first interaction between the Portuguese Navy and Granter took place during a side event at Web Summit 2024. At the time, the business model did not fully align with the Navy’s operational context, and conversations were naturally paused.
Six months later, timing and priorities came together. Granter’s strategic pivot and the launch of the AI Grant Consultant answered several of the challenges previously identified. The Portuguese Navy reconnected after learning about this shift through a podcast and the official presentation of the solution during the Techstars accelerator program.
From that point on, the partnership took shape. In addition to the pilot, Granter was invited to participate as an observer in REPMUS, Europe’s largest military innovation exercise, and initiated a formal certification process under the “Navy Tested” programme.
This collaboration represents a key milestone. The Portuguese Navy will now test the first AI-powered grant agent designed and certified specifically for defence funding.
The first interaction between the Portuguese Navy and Granter took place during a side event at Web Summit 2024. At the time, the business model did not fully align with the Navy’s operational context, and conversations were naturally paused.
Six months later, timing and priorities came together. Granter’s strategic pivot and the launch of the AI Grant Consultant answered several of the challenges previously identified. The Portuguese Navy reconnected after learning about this shift through a podcast and the official presentation of the solution during the Techstars accelerator program.
From that point on, the partnership took shape. In addition to the pilot, Granter was invited to participate as an observer in REPMUS, Europe’s largest military innovation exercise, and initiated a formal certification process under the “Navy Tested” programme.
This collaboration represents a key milestone. The Portuguese Navy will now test the first AI-powered grant agent designed and certified specifically for defence funding.
The first interaction between the Portuguese Navy and Granter took place during a side event at Web Summit 2024. At the time, the business model did not fully align with the Navy’s operational context, and conversations were naturally paused.
Six months later, timing and priorities came together. Granter’s strategic pivot and the launch of the AI Grant Consultant answered several of the challenges previously identified. The Portuguese Navy reconnected after learning about this shift through a podcast and the official presentation of the solution during the Techstars accelerator program.
The first interaction between the Portuguese Navy and Granter took place during a side event at Web Summit 2024.
At the time, the business model did not fully align with the Navy’s operational context, and conversations were naturally paused.
Six months later, timing and priorities
came together. Granter’s strategic pivot and the launch of the AI Grant Consultant answered several of the challenges previously identified. The Portuguese Navy reconnected after learning about this shift through a podcast and the official presentation of the solution during the Techstars accelerator program.
From that point on, the partnership took shape. In addition to the pilot, Granter was invited to participate as an observer in REPMUS, Europe’s largest military innovation exercise, and initiated a formal certification process under the “Navy Tested” programme.
This collaboration represents a key milestone. The Portuguese Navy will now test the first AI-powered grant agent designed and certified specifically for defence funding.
From that point on, the partnership took shape. In addition to the pilot, Granter was invited to participate as an observer in REPMUS, Europe’s largest military innovation exercise, and initiated a formal certification process under the “Navy Tested” programme. This collaboration represents a key milestone. The Portuguese Navy will
now test the first AI-powered grant agent designed and certified specifically for defence funding.
The Challenge
Navigating defence grants with limited internal capacity
Navigating defence grants with limited internal capacity
Navigating defence grants with
limited internal capacity
Navigating defence grants with limited internal capacity
When the Portuguese Navy approached Granter, three core challenges stood out. Together, they limited the organisation’s ability to use grants as a strategic tool across defence, infrastructure, and innovation initiatives.
When the Portuguese Navy approached Granter, three core challenges stood out. Together, they limited the organisation’s ability to use grants as a strategic tool across defence, infrastructure, and innovation initiatives.
Limited ability to map defence grants
Limited ability to map
defence grants
Relevant national and European defence calls are spread across multiple programmes and platforms.
Mapping all eligible opportunities, including NATO instruments, the European Defence Fund, and other strategic initiatives, required an operational capacity that was difficult to sustain internally.
As a result, opportunities were often missed due to limited visibility or lack of time to continuously monitor
this fragmented ecosystem.
Relevant national and European defence calls are spread across multiple
programmes and platforms. Mapping all eligible opportunities, including NATO
instruments, the European Defence Fund, and other strategic initiatives, required
an operational capacity that was difficult to sustain internally.
As a result, opportunities were often missed due to limited visibility or lack of time
to continuously monitor this fragmented ecosystem.
Relevant national and European
defence calls are spread across
multiple programmes and platforms.
Mapping all eligible opportunities, including NATO instruments, the European Defence Fund, and other strategic initiatives, required an operational capacity that was difficult to sustain internally.
As a result, opportunities were often missed due to limited visibility or lack
of time to continuously monitor
this fragmented ecosystem.
High workload for grant applications
High workload for grant
applications
Grant applications demanded a significant internal effort. With limited resources and low operational capacity,
the Navy had to handle complex, highly regulated applications from start to finish, creating a heavy workload
and making it hard to scale grant activities across units.
This made the preparation of applications time-consuming and often delayed the Navy’s ability to act on new funding opportunities.
Grant applications demanded a significant internal effort. With limited resources
and low operational capacity, the Navy had to handle complex, highly regulated
applications from start to finish, creating a heavy workload and making it hard to
scale grant activities across units.
This made the preparation of applications time-consuming and often delayed
the Navy’s ability to act on new funding opportunities.
Grant applications demanded a significant internal effort. With limited resources and low operational capacity, the Navy had to handle complex, highly regulated applications from start to finish, creating a heavy workload and making it hard to scale grant activities across units.
This made the preparation of applications time-consuming and often delayed the Navy’s ability to act on new funding opportunities.
Restrictions to rely on external consultants
Restrictions to rely on
external consultants
Unlike civilian organisations, the Navy cannot easily outsource grant preparation. Defence applications require
highly specialised knowledge, strict security clearances, and compliance with technological and operational
security standards.
Given these constraints, external support is nearly impossible, forcing the Navy to rely entirely on internal teams,
which makes the process slower and more resource-intensive.
Unlike civilian organisations, the Navy cannot easily outsource grant preparation.
Defence applications require highly specialised knowledge, strict security clearances,
and compliance with technological and operational security standards.
Given these constraints, external support is nearly impossible, forcing the Navy to rely
entirely on internal teams, which makes the process slower and more resource-intensive.
Unlike civilian organisations, the Navy cannot easily outsource grant
preparation. Defence applications require highly specialised knowledge, strict security clearances, and compliance with technological and operational security standards.
Given these constraints, external support is nearly impossible, forcing the Navy to rely entirely on internal teams, which makes the process slower and more resource-intensive.
Solution
A defence-grade pilot with three specialised agents
A defence-grade pilot with three specialised agents
A defence-grade pilot with three
specialised agents
A defence-grade pilot with three specialised agents
To address these challenges, Granter first developed a dedicated European defence grants database, covering opportunities that were not previously available within the platform. On top of that, a tailored pilot was designed to reflect the Navy’s organisational structure with three specialised AI agents deployed: one for the Naval Academy, the Portuguese Navy, and the Hydrographic Institute. The pilot currently integrates two modules:
To address these challenges, Granter first developed a dedicated European defence grants database, covering opportunities that were not previously available within the platform. On top of that, a tailored pilot was designed to reflect the Navy’s organisational structure with three specialised AI agents deployed: one for the Naval Academy, the Portuguese Navy, and the Hydrographic Institute. The pilot currently integrates two modules:
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Match
Provides full visibility over relevant defence-related grants at national and European levels. Continuously identifies and filters opportunities aligned with each unit’s mission, capabilities, and strategic priorities.
Provides full visibility over relevant defence-related grants at national and European levels. Continuously identifies and filters opportunities aligned with each unit’s mission, capabilities, and strategic priorities.
Apply
Supports the preparation of defence grant applications by generating structured and compliant drafts tailored to each call. Accelerates writing while respecting strict defence and security requirements.
Supports the preparation of defence grant applications by generating structured and compliant drafts tailored to each call. Accelerates writing while respecting strict defence and security requirements.
Objectives
Making defence grants an engine for innovation
Making defence grants an engine for innovation
Making defence grants an engine
for innovation
Making defence grants an engine for innovation
Improve Grant Discovery
Improve Grant Discovery
Centralise and expand grant visibility.
Create a continuously updated database of defence-related grants,
increasing awareness and enabling adoption across additional units.
Centralise and expand grant visibility.
Create a continuously updated database
of defence-related grants, increasing awareness and enabling adoption across additional units.
Save time on applications
Save time on applications
Reduce the time spent on drafting and coordination by up to 90%.
Shorten the drafting process, making grant preparation faster, more precise,
and scalable without increasing internal workload.
Reduce the time spent on drafting and coordination by up to 90%. Shorten the drafting process, making grant preparation faster, more precise, and scalable without increasing internal workload.
Adopt a defence-specialised AI agent
Adopt a defence-specialised AI agent
Leverage a certified AI platform with an agent trained in defence funding,
including NATO and European Defence Fund calls, fully compliant with
security requirements.
Leverage a certified AI platform with an agent trained in defence funding, including NATO and European Defence Fund calls, fully compliant with security requirements.
Status
Early Results
Early Results
Early Results
Early Results
The pilot has already delivered measurable results:
The pilot has already delivered measurable results:
The pilot has already delivered measurable results:
+200
Relevant funding opportunities added to a defence grants database
Relevant funding opportunities added to a defence grants database
2w → 2h
with first drafts presenting
significant time saving
with first drafts presenting
significant time saving
The partnership is currently in the certification phase for the “Navy Tested” programme. Granter is being evaluated by three different Navy units, a key step to validate the solution across multiple operational contexts and obtain official certification.
The partnership is currently in the certification phase for the “Navy Tested” programme. Granter is being evaluated by three different Navy units, a key step to validate the solution across multiple operational contexts and obtain official certification.
See for yourself
Join 3000+ companies already growing with Granter
See for yourself
Join 3000+ companies already growing with Granter
See for yourself
Join 3000+ companies already
growing with Granter
