Apply for NATO DIANA
and Accelerate Your Dual-use Deep Tech
Access NATO’s transatlantic innovation network of accelerators, test centres and trusted investors.
NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) discovers and accelerates dual-use deep-tech solutions for defence, security and resilience. Through a growing network of accelerator sites and more than 200 affiliated test centres across the Alliance, DIANA connects innovators with end users, technical experts and investors to bring cutting-edge technologies into operational use.
Selected companies receive non-dilutive funding, tailored accelerator support and access to exceptional testing and validation environments – positioning them for both civilian and defence markets.
What does Nato DIANA offer?
Non-dilutive Funding
* Contractual grant funding to develop and de-risk solutions during the accelerator
* Potential for follow-on support as technologies progress towards higher TRLs and operational pilots.
Dual-use Accelerator
* A structured, multi-month accelerator programme tailored to dual-use business models
* Deep engagement with defence procurement, security accreditation, standardisation and scaling across Allied markets.
Test Centres
* Access to an evolving network of DIANA-affiliated test centres across Allied nations
* Facilities for rigorous testing, evaluation and validation in realistic operational scenarios.
Mentors and Investors
* Guidance from scientists, engineers, defence practitioners and business leaders
* Exposure to a trusted investor community, including strong synergies with the €1 billion NATO Innovation Fund (NIF).
MORE On WHAT NATO DIANA OFFERS
Typical NATO DIANA Focus Areas
DIANA Challenge themes evolve over time but typically address emerging and disruptive technologies such as:
Energy resilience, power management and deployed energy systems
Secure networks, cyber security and trusted data infrastructure
Sensing, undersea and space-based surveillance and situational awareness
Advanced communications, quantum, photonics and RF technologies
Human health, performance and medical technologies
Critical infrastructure protection, logistics and supply-chain resilience.
Typical NATO DIANA Focus Areas
Strategic access:
A curated route into NATO’s innovation ecosystem, connecting you directly with end-users and investors who understand dual-use technologies.
Acceleration, not just funding:
DIANA combines non-dilutive capital with high-quality mentoring, testing and validation to compress your route to deployment.
Positioning versus EDF and national programmes:
DIANA participation can be leveraged in EDF consortia, national defence R&D programmes and private rounds as a powerful credibility and de-risking signal.
Who Can Apply
Target Applicants
Start-ups, SMEs and spin-outs developing dual-use deep-tech with clear civilian and defence/security applications.
Technology companies seeking to understand and penetrate defence and security markets in a structured, low-risk way.
Eligibility
Companies established in a NATO Ally (and, where specified, certain partner nations).
Applications submitted against specific DIANA Challenge calls aligned with defined operational problems.
Application Format:
Single-company applications are standard; formal consortia are not required
Partnerships with RTOs, universities or industrial players can strengthen the technical and commercial offer.
How We Support DIANA Applicants
Assess strategic fit: Evaluate DIANA versus EDF, EIC, national programmes and private funding, and align your technology and roadmap with upcoming DIANA challenges.
Shape your compelling dual-use story: Define civilian and defence value propositions in a coherent, credible way and position your solution against NATO-relevant operational needs.
Build a winning application: Develop concise, high-impact answers to DIANA’s selection criteria and translate complex technical innovation into evaluators, end-users and investors language.
Plan beyond DIANA: Design a funding and growth roadmap combining DIANA, EDF/EUDIS, national schemes and private capital and prepare follow-on engagements with NATO entities, national ministries and primes