NATO DIANA opens new call for applications across six defence and security challenge areas

NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, DIANA, has opened a new call for applications to identify dual-use and defence-first technologies that can support NATO’s defence and security needs. Innovators selected for the 2027 cohort will take part in a six-month accelerator programme beginning in January 2027.

“The NATO DIANA program gives Estonian companies the opportunity to bring their cutting-edge technologies to the forefront of international defense innovation. Estonia’s strength lies precisely in dual-use solutions: the flexibility, technological capability, and willingness to cooperate demonstrated by our companies help create innovation that strengthens both the economy and the security of the entire alliance,” said Estonia’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, Erkki Keldo.

NATO DIANA formulates its challenges based on the priorities of NATO and its nations, the latest trends in emerging and disruptive technologies, and market potential. Through these challenges, DIANA aims to accelerate the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies, turning innovation into capabilities that can create real-world impact.

“NATO DIANA Accelerator offers entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to receive high-level support in developing dual-use technologies and contributing to the future of defence capability. Estonia provides strong conditions for innovation, and the programme brings companies together with leading international experts and modern test centres so that new solutions can be adopted across the Alliance faster and more effectively,” noted Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur.

This year, DIANA is inviting proposals across six challenge areas: Human Survivability, Multidomain Autonomy of Uncrewed Systems, Multidomain Sensing and Advanced Data Processing for Intelligence and Surveillance, Operational Resilience in Contested Environments, Responsive Logistics, and Scalable and Adaptable Countermeasures for Air Defence.

“Our new challenges for the 2027 cohort serve one clear goal: accelerating the adoption of technologies that can strengthen the Alliance’s operational edge. By connecting innovators to NATO’s defence networks, we catalyse the transformation of innovative ideas into superior military capability for the Alliance,” said Jyoti Hirani-Driver, Acting Managing Director at NATO DIANA.

DIANA’s programme is designed for a broad range of innovators developing dual-use technologies with potential applications in both civilian and defence and security contexts. This includes early-stage innovators, defence-focused start-ups, scale-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and established civilian businesses seeking to enter defence and security markets.

Three Estonian companies were selected for DIANA’s 2026 cohort: C2Grid, LSMedical and Spacedrip.

Selected innovators will receive €100,000 of contractual funding to continue iterating their solutions to the challenge. They may also have the possibility to access additional funds for testing, evaluation, validation and verification activities. Participants will gain access to more than 200 test centres across Europe and North America, as well as guidance from experts and mentors to navigate complex defence procurement processes and expand their networks with industry partners, military end-users and potential investors.

The NATO DIANA accelerator in Estonia is led by Tehnopol in collaboration with Sparkup Tartu Science Park.

“The speed and impact of defence innovation increasingly depend on how well we are able to bring together technology companies, the state, defence experts and end users. Emerging security needs do not wait for long development cycles, which is why accelerators play an important role in rapidly testing and guiding new ideas and helping them move towards practical use. NATO DIANA provides an international framework for this, while the Estonian accelerator helps bring the technological capability and ambition of companies from our region into that framework,” said Agnes Roos, CEO of Tehnopol.

Applications to the NATO DIANA accelerator are open until 12:00 BST on Friday 3 July 2026. Selected innovators will begin the six-month accelerator programme in January 2027. More information and the application form are available at: proposals.diana.tech

The programme in Estonia is funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, with additional support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the City of Tallinn.