NATO DIANA 2027 Challenge Call

Areas of Interest

The call is divided into 6 key challenges:

1. Human survivability
2. Multidomain autonomy of uncrewed systems
3. Multidomain sensing and advanced data processing for intelligence and surveillance
4. Operational resilience in contested environments
5. Responsive logistics
6. Scalable and adaptable countermeasures for air defence

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include:

• Start-ups
• SMEs
• Scale-ups
• Technology companies established within NATO nations

Applicants must:

• Be legally registered within a NATO country
• Own or control the proposed technology
• Demonstrate technology maturity at TRL 4 or above
• Accept DIANA's programme terms and conditions

Universities and non-profit organisations cannot apply directly, although future collaboration opportunities may be available.

Why This Programme Matters

DIANA provides one of the most significant opportunities globally for dual-use innovators seeking access to defence markets while maintaining commercial growth pathways.

Beyond funding, the programme offers direct engagement with NATO stakeholders, military end users, investors, and testing facilities that can accelerate technology adoption and international scaling.

For innovative companies seeking to bridge the gap between commercial innovation and defence capability, DIANA provides a unique route to market.

How Inventya Can Help

Securing a place on the NATO DIANA Accelerator Programme requires more than a strong technology. Successful applicants must clearly demonstrate technical excellence, defence relevance, commercial potential, and a credible pathway to adoption. At Inventya, we help innovative businesses develop compelling applications that stand out in highly competitive international funding and accelerator programmes.

Our support includes:

• Challenge Mapping and Strategic Positioning: Aligning your innovation with the most relevant DIANA challenge and demonstrating its value to defence and security end users.
• Proposal Development: Creating clear, persuasive applications that effectively communicate your technology, innovation, impact, and dual-use potential.
• Commercialisation and Adoption Planning: Developing robust strategies that show how your solution can be adopted by defence organisations while scaling into commercial markets.  
• Defence Market Readiness: Helping you articulate operational benefits, end-user value, and transition pathways that resonate with NATO stakeholders.
• Investor and Growth Strategy: Strengthening your investment proposition and preparing your business for future funding and growth opportunities.
• Pitch and Interview Preparation: Supporting your team through panel presentations, technical discussions, and assessment interviews.
• Project Delivery and Programme Support: Providing guidance on project planning, milestones, stakeholder engagement, and programme management throughout the accelerator journey.

With extensive experience supporting breakthrough technologies across defence, security, deep tech, AI, aerospace, and advanced engineering sectors, Inventya can help transform a promising innovation into a compelling DIANA application and position your business for long-term success within NATO's innovation ecosystem.