NATO’s defence innovation accelerator DIANA calling innovators to solve new challenges
The Ministry of the Economy and Innovation invites the country's start-ups and innovators to participate in the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator DIANA Challenge Programme. This year, NATO is inviting applications under five challenge themes: Critical Infrastructure and Logistics, Energy, Data and Information Security, Human Health and Performance, and Sensing and Surveillance. Last year, two innovative Lithuanian companies, Astrolight and Vistareader, were also selected for the DIANA Challenge Programme.
"The DIANA Challenges are an opportunity for innovative start-ups in our country's defence sector to showcase the solutions they are developing and to be noticed internationally. At the same time, it is an opportunity to draw attention to the country's growing defence industry, which has a high potential for innovation," said Aušrinė Armonaitė, Minister of the Economy and Innovation.
The NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator DIANA programme focuses on the development of dual-use and deep technologies. DIANA's mission is to unite innovators across NATO countries and encourage them to design and develop advanced solutions, thus maintaining the Alliance's technological edge.
The Critical Infrastructure and Logistics Challenge focuses on the protection of national and international critical infrastructure and global supply chains. The Energy Challenge focuses on the resilience of energy systems, both in terms of energy production and energy storage, distribution, etc.
The Data and Information Security Challenge calls for technology solutions that address the protection of information and data in a wide range of domains and includes the development of communication systems, hardware and software solutions.
The Human Health and Performance Challenge calls for solutions that improve the understanding of human health and well-being, both physical and psychological, in a wide range of activities and spaces, including space. The Sensing and Monitoring Challenge is dedicated to the search for innovative intelligence and monitoring solutions in all defence domains: land, sea, air, space and cyberspace.
Innovators can also submit proposals on the three cross-cutting themes of space, resilience and sustainability in all five challenges.
"The strength of our country's defence and security sector lies in the development of advanced defence and dual-use technologies and solutions. Last year, DIANA Challenges attracted 17 applications from Lithuania and two of our companies were selected to participate in the programme. We hope that Lithuanian innovators will actively participate in this year's selection process as well", said Erika Kuročkina, Deputy Minister of the Economy and Innovation.
Companies that qualify for the DIANA Accelerator Programme receive a package of support for the development of new technologies, expert assistance and opportunities to test technologies and solutions in a real-life environment. Startups that make it to the first round receive a €100,000 grant, while those selected for the second round receive a €300,000 grant.
Companies also have access to technology and DIANA test centres. Six DIANA test centres are also operating in Lithuania, specialising in life sciences, artificial intelligence, green technologies, data science, space and cybersecurity.
The Ministry of the Economy and Innovation is responsible for the NATO DIANA Accelerator from 2022.
For more information on this year's Challenge Programmes, please click here: https://www.nato-diana.org/s/