What is the NATO Innovation Challenge?

The NATO Innovation Challenge was initiated in 2017, Its objective is aimed at resolving common Alliance and Nations operational problems efficiently and economically. It’s co-organized by the NATO Innovation Hub (Allied Command Transformation) and NATO Nations.

The NATO Innovation Challenge is open to all NATO Nations. However, it gives priority access to non-traditional innovators (academia, individuals, and start-ups), and expands NATO’s network and collaboration with industry and academia. The NATO Innovation Network strives to develop a shared culture of innovation among NATO Nations and inspire transformation as it provides visibility to participants and their solutions, and for the winners, it offers the opportunity to develop their products. Ultimately, providing an opportunity for anyone who resonates with the top objectives of the Innovation Hub.

Identify solutions to mitigate/resolve Important NATO issues.

All participants must propose a solution that will be reviewed by a NATO-wide expert board from a relevance, innovativeness, value and investment viability perspective. The finalists (also known as top participants) are invited to a finale event where they are required to demonstrate their solution to an expert board at the hosting member nation’s country either online or in person.
Subsequently, the NATO HQ SACT presents monetary awards to the top three winners with access to get support from its alliance and Nations for their design, development and implementation.

Grow the NATO Innovation Network

The challenge is the cornerstone for creating a NATO-Wide Innovation Network. Hence, there are usually two Innovation Challenges every year, each challenge differs from one another with a focus to tackle a particular problem within the NATO’s Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and its Alliance. Every new challenge is hosted by a member of the NATO member nations. It’s a great opportunity to give them the visibility, support, and develop their local innovation ecosystem, and international outreach.

Develop a global security and Defense Innovation Ecosystem

The NATO Innovation Challenge model is extremely simple, practical and accessible to anyone. It also ensures that no one is excluded, and the innovation has no boundary as the public, academia, industry, government and the Military are eligible to join the challenge.

Download the NATO Innovation Brochure

Latest NATO Innovation Challenges

Challenge Description
Status: Closed

Eligibility: The public (NATO member nations), this includes, Social Enterprises, Government, Entrepreneurs, Academia / Research institutions, Military. However, only submissions by entities headquartered or located in NATO member countries will be considered for the preselection phase. Team representatives must hold a NATO country nationality.

Prizes Offered_ $8,500 is to be shared amongst the top 3 participants. Plus, technical guidance and support from NATO’s Innovation Hub tech teams during the development and implementation of the winning solution.

Application Deadline_ October 5, 2023_ 11:59 EST