DASA: NATO DIANA 2026 Challenges open for application

DIANA is seeking innovative, ground-breaking solutions in the following ten focus areas:

• Energy and Power
• Advanced Communication Technologies
• Operations in Extreme Environments
• Maritime Operations
• Resilient Space Operations
• Autonomy and Unmanned Systems
• Data Assisted Decision Making
• Contested Electromagnetic Environments
• Human Resilience and Biotechnology
• Critical Infrastructure and Logistics

Selected companies will receive €100,000 in contractual funding, with top performers eligible for up to an additional €300,000 in the next programme phase. Participants will also gain access to over 180 test centres, a tailored programme bridging defence and commercial sectors, and a network of top-tier mentors from across the Alliance. DIANA offers support and connections to help civilian-sector companies enter the traditionally high-barrier defence market.

Applications for the DIANA accelerator are open until 11 July.

The 6-month programme will begin in January 2026. All dual-use deep tech companies registered in a NATO member state are eligible to apply. More information, as well as the application form is available here: https://www.diana.nato.int/

In short:

·    NATO DIANA has launched its third annual set of challenges and opened a new call for applications

·    There are a total of 10 challenge areas

·    Selected companies will receive €100,000 in contractual funding

·    Closing date for applications is 11 July 2025 at midday (UTC)