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).

Nordic Innovators can assist you in the whole proposal development process

We Bring Innovative Ideas to Life

We help you identify the right grant schemes for your innovative project and guide you through the entire proposal process.

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.

Why NATO DIANA Matters for Leading Deep Tech Innovators

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.

Nordic Innovators can also assist in proposal development more specifically, e.g., with concept scoping.

How We Supports DIANA Applicants

For DIANA, we work with a very selective set of high-potential innovators to:

Assess strategic fit: Evaluate whether DIANA is the right instrument relative to EDF, EIC, national accelerators and private funding.
Map your technology and roadmap to upcoming DIANA Challenge themes.

Craft a compelling dual-use story: Articulate the civilian and defence value propositions in a coherent, credible way.
Clearly position your solution within NATO-relevant operational problems and concept of operations.

Build a winning application: Develop concise, high-impact answers to DIANA’s selection criteria.
Translate complex technical innovation into language that resonates with evaluators, end-users and investors

Plan beyond DIANA: Design a funding and growth roadmap combining DIANA, EDF/EUDIS, national schemes and private capital.
Prepare you for follow-on engagements with NATO entities, national ministries and primes.

Apply for NATO DIANA and Accelerate Your Dual-use Deep Tech