News
On 17 March 2026, the first meeting of the Programme Council of FORT Kraków, the Polish NATO DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) accelerator, was held in Krakow. The establishment of the Council is another step toward the development of the Krakow centre led by AGH University and the Krakow Technology Park.
FORT Kraków is part of the international network of NATO DIANA centres, established by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to build a technological edge in key areas of innovation. In June 2024, an official agreement was concluded with NATO DIANA, under which FORT Kraków became the Polish acceleration hub in the transatlantic network. The official launch of the accelerator took place in January 2026. The aim of FORT Kraków is to support the development of dual-use technologies for security, defence, and resilience of NATO member countries.
The role and tasks of the Council
To effectively fulfill its advisory role, the FORT Kraków Programme Council brings together representatives from public administration, defence, academia, and industry. Some of their tasks shall include: setting long-term directions for the accelerator, ensuring synergy between its programmes funded by the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the strategies of the institutions responsible for national security, as well as fostering cooperation.
“Collaboration between representatives from academia, public administration and industry within the Programme Council will enable us to better identify strategic needs and technological opportunities, and to provide professional support to NATO DIANA and EUDIS Business Accelerator companies in their business strategies and technological development; consequently, this will also allow us to integrate Polish solutions more effectively into the international innovation system of NATO. A great number of deep tech solutions derive from R&D projects implemented at technical universities such as the AGH University of Krakow,” emphasised Professor Jerzy Lis, AGH University Rector.
“The establishment of the Programme Council is a vital step towards building a strong, coordinated dual-use technology ecosystem in Poland, but also highlights the increasingly significant role of Krakow and the Małopolska region in the growing ecosystem of new technologies and deep tech. Our region combines the potential of science, business, and administration with initiatives by NATO, the EU, and transatlantic partners. I believe that, with the work of the Council, we will be able to set strategic directions for the development of the accelerator and strengthen the role of FORT Kraków as a key centre in Poland and the region that supports innovation in the fields of security and defence,” added Andrzej Kulig, President of the Board of the Krakow Technology Park.
FORT Kraków Programme Council members
- Prof. Jerzy Lis, AGH University Rector
- Prof. Andrzej Kulig, President of the Board of the Krakow Technology Park
- Łukasz Smółka, Marshal of the Małopolska Region
- Gen. Marcin Górka, Director of the Department of Innovation, Ministry of National Defence
- Michał Doligalski, Director of the Department of Innovation and Development, Ministry of Science and Higher Education
- Prof. Stanisław Mazur, Deputy Mayor of Krakow for Development and Innovation
- Gen. Edward Gruszka, former Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces
- Przemysław Kukawski, Polish representative in the European Defence Agency (EDA)
- Zbysław Ziemacki, Director of the Department of Innovation and Space Policy, Ministry of Development and Technology
- Marek Karabuła, President of the Management Board and General Director of Huta Stalowa Wola S.A.
- Prof. Rafał Dańko, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, AGH University
- Izabela Albrycht, Rector’s Proxy for NATO DIANA, AGH University
- Bartosz Józefowski, Management Board Representative for Dual-Use Technologies at the Krakow Technology Park
Priority technologies and challenges for the region
The first meeting of the Programme Council focused on the potential of FORT Kraków as a platform connecting academia with technological and institutional environments for the development of technologies and innovations of strategic importance.
During the meeting, attention was also drawn to the growing importance of artificial intelligence, autonomous technologies, cybersecurity, space technologies, and advanced analytical systems. The role of initiatives that facilitate a faster transition from research to practical applications and support the development of technology start-ups during adoption and scaling was also highlighted.
The Council members agreed that one of the key challenges would be to build international partnerships and attract investment in new technologies, including those related to security and defence. FORT is to act as an international cooperation catalyst and draw in investments by initiating partnerships, connecting stakeholders, and supporting the development of joint projects.
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