On Monday (2 June 2025), NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) launched ten new challenges aimed at finding the next generation of dual-use deep technologies to help better protect the Alliance's one billion citizens. Innovators will be able to submit proposals to DIANA's challenges until 12:00 UTC on Friday 11 July 2025. Selected innovators will join Phase 1 of DIANA's programme, participating in a six-month accelerator programme starting in January 2026 - becoming part of DIANA's 2026 cohort of innovators.
DIANA formulates its challenges based on NATO and Allied nations' priorities, the latest trends in emerging and disruptive technologies, and market potential. The ten challenge areas DIANA will be asking innovators to submit proposals for are:
- 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
Selected innovators will receive €100,000 of contractual funding to enable them to continue iterating their solution in response to the challenge whilst participating in the accelerator programme. By participating in the DIANA programme, they will also get access to a network of more than 180 test centres across Europe and North America to undertake testing, evaluation, validation and verification activities. Through a mix of both in-person and online programming and support, DIANA innovators will also gain the tools to grow their businesses, navigate complex defence procurement processes, and supercharge their network with industry partners, military end-users, potential investors, and a range of mentors.
