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DIANA Challenge Programme 2026

Opens:
Closes:
11/7/2025
Sectors:
Defence & Security
Project Size:
€100,000 to €300,000

Accelerate Your Dual-Use Innovation with NATO DIANA

The Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) is now accepting applications for its 2026 cohort. This initiative seeks groundbreaking dual-use technologies—those applicable to both civilian and military sectors—that address critical defence, security, and resilience challenges across NATO member nations

Challenge Focus Areas

DIANA is seeking innovative solutions in the following areas:

  • Energy and Power
  • Advanced Communication Technologies
  • Contested Electromagnetic Environments
  • Human Resilience and Biotechnologies
  • Critical Infrastructure and Logistics
  • Operations in Extreme Environments
  • Maritime Operations
  • Resilient Space Operations
  • Autonomy and Unmanned Systems
  • Data-Assisted Decision Making

Eligibility Criteria

  • Open to commercial companies headquartered in NATO member countries.
  • Early-stage startups and SMEs with limited experience in defence and security are especially encouraged to apply.
  • Universities and non-profit organizations are not eligible to submit proposals, though future collaboration opportunities may arise.

Funding  Details

Phase 1: Selected innovators will receive €100,000 in contractual funding to develop their proposed solutions.in contractual funding to develop their proposed solutions.

Phase 2: Top-performing participants may be awarded up to an additional €300,000 to further iterate and demonstrate their solutions, develop transition strategies, and engage with investors and end-users.

Interested in this call? Book a free consultation with our team
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