Challenges

Companies whose proposals demonstrated innovative solutions were invited to an online interview, which resulted in the selection of over 40 companies. Those companies receive non-dilutive grants of EUR 100,000 and join Phase One of the DIANA accelerator programme known as ‘Boot-camp’. Participants are part of a cohort of innovators from across the Alliance at one of five regional accelerator sites for a custom-built defence and security and dual-use accelerator programme. During the first six months, companies are working on evolving or adapting their technology solutions, in accordance with their proposal.

At the end of Phase One, some pf the companies will be invited to participate in Phase Two of the accelerator programme called ‘Scale’ and offered an additional grant of up to EUR 300,000. During the second six months, companies will focus on further demonstrating their technological solution, developing transition strategies, and working with investors and end users to identify pathways to adoption.

Combined, Phases One and Two of the pilot-year programme are designed to attract and support innovative companies in Allied nations, with particular emphasis on start-ups. Our goal is to expose a new community of innovators to defence and security ‘problems-to-solve’, and to support them in their commercial business development.

DIANA launched three pilot challenges in 2023 and intends to increase the number of challenges launched with each year until DIANA reaches full operating capability in 2025. The focus areas and specific challenge topics may change each year – so if the 2023 challenge problems were not a good fit for your company’s capabilities, we encourage you to keep an eye on DIANA in future years.

DIANA has few basic eligibility criteria. Any incorporated company headquartered in a NATO member nation is eligible to participate in a DIANA challenge. Below you will find a summary of answers to additional questions you may have if you consider applying to DIANA in future..

• Citizenship or nationality requirements for applicants: DIANA will accept proposals from all companies meeting the basic eligibility criteria of being headquartered in a NATO member nation irrespective of the nationality of the applicants.
• Company size or type: DIANA will accept proposals from all companies meeting the basic eligibility criteria. However early-stage start-ups or small and medium-sized enterprises with limited experience in defence and security will benefit most from the unique DIANA Accelerator programme.
• Universities and non-profit groups: In 2023, universities and non-profit groups were not eligible to apply, although we foresee opportunities in future years.
• Technology or product maturity: DIANA seeks technology solutions at maturity levels of TRL 4 and above. However, lower TRL solutions with potential disruptive impact will be considered.
• Collaborative proposals: DIANA will accept collaborative proposals provided that all member companies meet the basic eligibility criteria. A single company must be listed as lead for the purposes of communication during the submission process, as well as for contracting and reporting requirements should a grant be awarded.

First, familiarise yourself with the specific challenge problems. Read through the rest of the Challenges page, including the general Terms and Conditions that selected awardees will be asked to agree to. If you see a good fit with your company’s capabilities, the following will guide you through the process and address other questions you may have. If you are ready to apply, click the Apply button in the top right corner of this page.

• Application content: Applicants are asked to provide company information, select the challenge problem they are interested in addressing, and submit a one-page Quad chart along with a four-page proposal.
• Business identification: As part of the application, you are asked to provide a DUNS number or US Unique Entity ID number. While this is an optional field to complete for submitting an application, applicants are required to provide their company’s DUNS number or US Unique Entity ID before receiving a grant award from DIANA. DUNS numbers are free to obtain, and are used in all NATO countries. To check whether your company already has a DUNS number, or to apply for a new one, start here. If your country is not listed as an option for selection, please contact your local Dun and Bradstreet customer centre here. To obtain a US Unique Entity ID number, start here. 
• Application support: DIANA does not provide proposal-development support to applicants. Online instructions, as well as an informational webinar during an open call period, will be available to guide applicants through the submission process.
• Proposal evaluation: All proposal evaluations are conducted by panels comprising DIANA team members, technical experts sourced from within the NATO science and technology community, NATO defence and security end users, along with trusted investors.
• Company financial information: Applicants are not required to provide financial information at the proposal stage.
• Information protection: DIANA seeks to ensure the utmost privacy and security of the information that applicants share with us. Proposals will be submitted via a secure portal, where each company receive directions to create a unique login account. All information will be encrypted during data transmission and storage while stored in the proposal database.
• Applying to future challenges: DIANA will seek to launch challenges on a yearly basis focused on different technological focus areas. Calls for applications will be posted on the DIANA website and advertised on DIANA social media outlets.

At the close of the call-for-proposal period, an evaluation panel commences the first-stage screening of all eligible proposals. The Stage 1 panel is typically comprised of DIANA team members, technical experts sourced from within the Allies’ science and technology communities, and NATO defence and security end users, and completes its screening within a few weeks. Selected applicants are then invited to participate in the second stage of the process, a 30-minute online interview, consisting of a 10-minute presentation or pitch, followed by a 20-minute question and answer period. The Stage 2 evaluation panel comprises members of the same groups as in Stage 1, with the addition of members of DIANA’s trusted investor network and completes their selection within two additional weeks. Selections are made approximately 1-2 months after the close of the call-for-proposal period.

Interest in the 2023 pilot challenges was high and selection was competitive. Proposals were evaluated based on technical merit (feasibility, state of development, and novelty), relevance to defence and security applications, commercial potential and business viability, disruptive impact, and soundness of proposed use of funding. The expectations for deliverables varied with the specific problem being addressed and solutions being offered.

DIANA will not take nor assert any rights on intellectual property developed under and with support of the grant funding.