On the 25th of April, NATO Communications and Information (NCI) Agency released details regarding the 2106 Innovation Challenge, which provides a venue for innovators to showcase their state-of-the-art military-focused IT solutions.

This year’s Innovation Challenge focuses on four categories: Cyber Defense, Internet of Things, Military application of Blockchains, Cognitive computing and machine learning.

According to the release, NATO seems to have taken an interest in the application of blockchains in military logistics and finance, as well as “other applications” that may be relevant.

The event is open to all business and academia innovators domiciled in any of the 28 States that comprise the NATO military alliance. Participants are asked to submit a two-page proposal by the 10th of May.

While innovators are encouraged to present their proposal, NCI Agency clarified that participants should not expect any lucrative deals:

“The innovation challenge is not an invitation to bid and the submitted proposals are not linked to any future contract opportunities.”

All submissions are reviewed by NCI Agency leadership with the help of Business Executives engaged in the NATO Industry Cyber Partnership. The top innovators will be allowed to present their solutions at NITEC 16 – a two-day conference held by NCI Agency in partnership with the Estonian Ministry of Defence – which is scheduled to take place in the city of Tallinn, on June 7, 2016.

The release states:

“The top 5 innovators will receive a full Conference registration waiver.”

And NATO isn’t the only military body looking into blockchains and distributed ledgers. According to a recent bulletin posted by DARPA, the US defence agency disclosed its interest in a blockchain-based secure messaging platform.

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