The NATO Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) today announced its annual slate of challenges to identify novel technologies to "help build a safer future for the Alliance," unveiling six priority topic areas to boost development of dual-use solutions.

Selected submissions will become part of DIANA’s 2027 cohort, which will begin in January with a six-month accelerator program. The accelerator will give participants access to a network of more than 200 test centers across Europe and North America. Participation will also grant cohort members exposure to the defense ecosystems across all 32 NATO members.

“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.

The six challenge areas include:

• Human survivability
• Multidomain autonomy of uncrewed systems
• Multidomain sensing and advanced data processing for intelligence and surveillance
• Operational resilience in contested environments
• Responsive logistics
• Scalable and adaptable countermeasures for air defense

Submissions close July 3, DIANA said. Hopeful applicants can access the NATO DIANA website to view details for each challenge area.

Selected participants will also receive 100,000 euros in contractual funding to finance the continued iteration of their technology while participating in the accelerator, DIANA said.