LONDON – 1 June 2026 – NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) has launched six new challenges aimed at finding game-changing solutions that help build a safer future for the Alliance.
Innovators can submit their proposals for DIANA’s challenges until 12:00 UTC +1/BST on Friday 3 July 2026.
Selected innovators will become part of DIANA’s 2027 cohort of innovators, participating in a six-month accelerator programme that will begin in January 2027. These innovators will help identify and adopt solutions that can deliver cutting-edge technologies to Allied armed forces faster – strengthening NATO’s operational edge
Innovators can submit proposals for one of six challenge areas including:
- Human Survivability
- Multidomain Autonomy of Uncrewed Systems
- Multidomain Sensing and Advanced Data Processing for Intelligence and Surveillance
- Operational Resilience in Contested Environments
- Responsive Logistics
- Scalable and Adaptable Countermeasures for Air Defence
DIANA formulates its challenges based on the priorities of NATO and its nations, the latest trends in emerging and disruptive technologies, and market potential. Through these challenges, DIANA aims to accelerate the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies – turning innovation into capabilities that lead to real-world impact.
Selected innovators will receive:
- €100,000 of contractual funding to enable them to continue iterating their solution to the challenge.
- Access to more than 200 test centres across Europe and North America to undertake testing, evaluation, validation and verification activities.
- Guidance from our experts and mentors to grow their businesses, navigate complex defence procurement processes, and supercharge their network with industry partners, military end-users and potential investors.
- Exposure to the defence ecosystems of all 32 NATO members, fostering cross-border collaboration, and bridging the gap between innovative ideas and real-world adoption.
UK-based innovator JET Connectivity is part of NATO DIANA’s 2025 cohort of companies and was recently selected for Mission Track, DIANA’s follow-on support pathway for solutions with strong defence adoption potential.
“JET Connectivity has surged forward in capability thanks, in no small part, to NATO DIANA’s programme, through the funding, mentoring and networking we have received, and through the support from the VTT Dual-Use Launchpad in Finland, one of DIANA’s accelerator sites,” said James Thomas, JET Connectivity Founder and CEO.
A range of companies can benefit from DIANA’s programme – including early-stage innovators, defence-focused start-ups, established civilian businesses, and SMEs. Whether focused on developing cutting-edge dual-use technologies for armed forces, scaling proven solutions, or seeking to enter new defence and security markets, the programme offers tailored guidance and resources to help companies accelerate growth and market impact.
“Our new challenges for the 2027 cohort serve one clear goal: accelerating the adoption of technologies that can strengthen the Alliance’s operational edge. By connecting innovators to NATO’s defence networks, we catalyse the transformation of innovative ideas into superior military capability for the Alliance,” said Jyoti Hirani-Driver, Acting Managing Director at NATO DIANA.
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