IANA is the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, an organisation established by NATO to find and accelerate innovation to provide defence and security effects for the Alliance.
NATO DIANA provides companies with the resources, networks and guidance to develop cutting-edge technologies to solve critical defence and security challenges, while also supporting their adoption.
To sharpen NATO’s technological edge and provide decisive defence and security effects, DIANA works with innovators, end users and Allied nations to find, accelerate and promote the adoption of emerging and disruptive technologies.
The DIANA Accelerator Programme equips businesses with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to navigate and succeed in the dual-use innovation ecosystem, through tailored pathways aligned to different stages of company maturity.
DIANA issues public ‘challenges’, inviting innovators to submit their solutions. Those selected are welcomed into the DIANA Accelerator Programme and become DIANA innovators. Details of the 2027 cohort challenges are below. Selected innovators from this call will become part of DIANA’s 2027 cohort of innovators, participating in a six-month accelerator programme that will begin in January 2027.
Who can apply?
DIANA encourage all eligible companies that think their technology could help solve one of the challenges to submit a proposal.
Any company incorporated in a NATO member nation, with its headquarters and its principal place of business in a NATO member nation, that is controlled and majority owned by nationals of NATO member nations, is eligible to submit a proposal. We recommend early-stage start-ups or small and medium-sized enterprises with limited experience in defence and security to apply, as these companies will be most suited to and benefit most from the programme.
DIANA will accept collaborative proposals as long as all member companies meet the eligibility requirements; a single company must be listed as the lead for the purposes of communication during the submission process, as well as for contracting and reporting requirements, should the proposal be selected.
Universities and non-profit groups are not yet eligible to apply. We anticipate collaboration with universities and other innovative institutions in future programmes.
Companies that signed agreements with DIANA to be part of DIANA cohorts in previous years are not eligible to apply again. Companies that submitted to previous DIANA calls but were unsuccessful are eligible (and encouraged) to reapply. Companies that have applied to the ‘Decision Superiority for NATO Warfighters’ challenge (which closed on 5 May 2026) will receive an outcome notification before the 2027 DIANA Accelerator programme Call closes, and unsuccessful companies will be eligible to apply to the 2027 DIANA Accelerator Programme Call.
Eligible technologies
DIANA seeks technology solutions at maturity levels typically between Technology Readiness Level (“TRL”) 4-7, as well as higher TRL solutions (i.e. TRL 8+ for civilian applications) that could be adapted to defence and security applications.
DIANA focuses on dual-use and defence-first technologies.
| Application Deadline |
03/07/2026 12:00 |
| Application required? |
Apply Here |
