DIANA’s

Decision Superiority for

NATO Warfighters Challenge

About DIANA’s Decision Superiority for NATO Warfighters Challenge

DIANA is seeking high maturity (TRL 7+) Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and related software solutions that will improve NATO’s operational planning and execution through enhanced modelling and simulation, wargaming and decision-making capabilities.

Solutions selected through this challenge will augment existing AI-enabled digital warfighting platforms and will be rapidly iterated with NATO stakeholders, building to a demonstration - with the potential for follow-on contracts through DIANA's Rapid Adoption Service.

Relevant platforms will include Maven Smart System NATO ( MSS NATO ), which is currently deployed by NATO Allied Command Operations, as well as systems in use by Allied nations.

Challenge Scope

For this challenge, DIANA seeks to identify AI-enhanced, ML and related software solutions to increase analytical depth, dynamism, and decision speed during operational planning and execution.

This challenge is targeted at start-ups, scale-ups and non-traditional suppliers to the defence industry, with mature solutions that are TRL7 or above to enable deployment within months.

For further details of the scope, please refer to the

SEE CHALLENGE STATEMENT

In addition to this Challenge, DIANA will also be launching a set of challenges in June 2026, where selected innovators will undertake DIANA’s Accelerator Programme, engage with end users and obtain eligibility to be awarded follow-on contracts through DIANA’s Rapid Adoption Service

PROGRAMME DRAILS & FUNDING

Innovators selected for this Challenge will engage directly with NATO stakeholders, including Task Force Maven at NATO Allied Command Operations, through intensive workshops to define operational use-cases and technical feasibility, rapidly iterating towards integration into, and demonstration of their solutions in, a cloud environment simulating AI-enabled digital warfighting platforms.

Selected innovators will receive €100,000 of contractual funding to fulfil the objective of integrating and demonstrating to NATO Allied Command Operations and other NATO stakeholders. This will include innovators contracting a cloud server provider to integrate into the cloud environment to enable demonstration of their solution.

The rapid iteration and final demonstration to NATO Allied Command Operations will all take place within a six-month timeframe. Successful demonstrations may lead to the award of follow-on contracts for prototyping and production, awarded without further competition.

Further details can be found in the Terms and Conditions.

Stage 1

Technical Feasibility & Use-Case Discovery

(0 - 2 MONTHS)

→ Virtual or in-person workshops to validate use cases with relevant NATO Commands

→ Accreditation assessment to identify work required to integrate into NATO environments

→ Defining cloud integration timescales and contracting a cloud service provider to support the integration

→ Concludes with a virtual pitch to NATO Commands

Stage 2

Integration & Demonstration

(1 - 6 MONTHS)

→ Integration of solution into cloud environment

→ Concludes with a demonstration of the integrated solution to NATO Commands

Stage 3

Post Programme

(FOLLOWING DEMONSTRATION)

→ If the solutions are identified by NATO Commands and Allies as providing a compelling capability, they can seek the award of follow-on contracts through DIANA's Rapid Adoption Service

HOW TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL

To apply for this challenge, please submit:

i. ‘Short-Form Proposal’

ii. ‘Long-Form Proposal’

iii. A short supplementary video

(optional but recommended)

Access our Challenge Portal for detailed instructions and to apply before 9 AM BST on Tuesday 5 May.

Please note that all applicants must register on the portal, even if they have created an account for previous DIANA challenge calls.

APPLY ON THE CHALLENGE PORTAL

SELECTION PROCESS

Step 1

Short-Form Evaluation

The Short-Form Proposal will be evaluated at Step 1 on criteria relating to: Alignment to the Challenge, Capability Augmentation, Innovation, Technical Maturity, Integration.

Step 2

Long-Form Evaluation

For applicants that progress to Step 2, the Long-Form Proposal will be evaluated on criteria relating to: Technical Merit (Alignment to the Challenge, Innovation), Technical Suitability (Capability Augmentation, Maturity and Integration), Defence and Security (Relevance, Impact), and Company and Commercial (Viability, Scaling Potential).

Step 3

Virtual Panel Evaluation

This will be evaluated against criteria relating to: Technical Merit, Technical Suitability, Defence and Security, and Company and Commercial; with consideration given to the sub-factors listed for Step 2.

FAQ

What challenges will DIANA be launching in 2026?

DIANA has just launched the Decision Superiority for NATO Warfighters challenge.

DIANA will launch further challenges in June that will address a wider range of NATO's capability needs in defence and security.

Will I be expected to attend an accelerator site?

No, selected innovators will not attend an accelerator site as part of this Challenge Programme. Instead, the programme will involve intensive workshops with Allied Command Operations and NATO stakeholders, focusing on iteration and integration of the technical solution within a cloud-based environment, culminating in a demonstration of that solution to NATO stakeholders.

What level of technical maturity is required to be eligible for the challenge?

This challenge is seeking solutions of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 or higher. You will need to provide evidence that your technical solution is TRL7+ in your proposal.

Will I be expected to work with third parties?

Yes, you will be expected to work closely with other vendors and NATO partners; integration will be key. DIANA will arrange a demonstration environment, but you will need to engage with relevant third parties including cloud service/platform providers. This will involve entering into contractual relationships to facilitate the demonstration of your technical solution to NATO stakeholders.

Will my data and intellectual property be protected?

DIANA innovators retain all rights to their intellectual property. DIANA will neither take nor assert any rights over innovators’ intellectual property as part of the Challenge Programme, nor will any other stakeholders involved with the Challenge Programme.

DIANA is committed to protecting innovator information and to fostering a trusted environment for innovators’ proprietary/confidential information and their intellectual property. All information submitted as part of a proposal is treated as strictly confidential and will only be accessible to the evaluators assigned to that proposal, all of whom are subject to strict confidentiality obligations.

Proposals are submitted via a secure portal, where each company receives a unique identifier and directions to create a unique login account. All information is encrypted in submission and in storage.

When in the programme innovators will receive guidance and mentoring and may also seek specialist support from DIANA’s Legal Connect network to provide additional levels of assurance on protection of data and intellectual property.

How will the 100k EUR contractual funding be used?

The 100k EUR contractual funding must be used to enable the demonstration of your technical solution within a cloud environment, facilitated by DIANA. This will include contracting a cloud service provider to facilitate the demonstration.

Who can submit a proposal?

Any company with its principal place of business in a NATO member nation that is controlled and majority owned by nationals of NATO member nations is eligible to submit a proposal. The specific eligibility criteria are set out in the ‘Terms and Conditions of Bidding’.

DIANA’s challenges are targeted at start-ups or small and medium-sized enterprises with limited experience in defence and security.

DIANA will accept collaborative proposals as long as all member companies meet the eligibility requirements; a single company must be listed as the lead for the purposes of communication during the selection process, as well as for contracting and reporting requirements, should the proposal be selected.

Universities, public sector organisations and non-profit groups are not eligible to apply.

How can I submit a proposal?

When the Challenge Call launches, you will be able to submit a proposal through the Challenge Portal, by clicking on ‘Challenges’ in the top menu, where you will be able to select the 'Decision Superiority for NATO Warfighters' challenge and begin the application process.

The submission window will close on 5^th May 2026 at 09:00 BST.

Do I need to submit both the Short-Form Proposal and Long-Form Proposal at the same time? What about the video?

Yes, both the Short-Form Proposal and the Long-Form Proposal must be completed and submitted together before the close of the submission window at 0900 BST on Tuesday 5^th May 2026. If you wish to submit a supplementary video, this also must be submitted by the same deadline.

Will there be a Phase 2 to this challenge?

No, unlike previous DIANA challenges, there will not be a 'Phase 2' to this programme. The programme will conclude with demonstrations of the integrated solutions to NATO Allied Command Operations and other NATO stakeholders.

What happens after the demonstration to Allied Command Operations and NATO stakeholders?

Innovators selected through this challenge are eligible to be awarded follow-on contracts by DIANA through its Rapid Adoption Service, on behalf of Allied Command Operations, NATO and Allies, for prototyping and potentially full deployment without further competition, at the discretion of the relevant entities.

DIANA Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Regional Hub: Tallinn, Estonia
North American Office: Halifax, Canada