# U.S. Army Selects Indiana Nonprofit to Lead Biotechnology Accelerator

The U.S. Army has awarded a **$95 million** contract to the Defense Innovation Networking Group (DING), an Indiana-based nonprofit, to lead the VEDDER Biotechnology Accelerator initiative. This program aims to accelerate biotechnology innovations with applications for national security by fostering collaboration between biotech companies and the Department of Defense. Applications for participation in the accelerator open on October 12, 2026, signaling a significant opportunity for biotech firms to engage with military research and development efforts.

- The contract is managed through the U.S. Army Contracting Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground and supported by the Capability Program Executive for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense.
- Procurement professionals should note the strategic focus on biotechnology as a critical area for defense innovation, highlighting growing investment in life sciences technologies.
- Biotech companies and contractors interested in defense partnerships should prepare to apply starting October 12, 2026, to participate in this accelerator program.
- This initiative reflects the Army's commitment to bridging the gap between innovative biotech solutions and operational military needs, creating new contracting and collaboration opportunities in the defense biotech sector.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Healthcare
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** September 15, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground
- Capability Program Executive for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense
- U.S. Army (Army)

### Vendors
- Defense Innovation Networking Group (prime contractor)

### Key Quotes
> America does not have an innovation problem. We have a translation problem  getting promising technologies from innovative companies into the hands of the people who need them.
> — Heath Murray, Chairman, Defense Innovation Networking Group

### Sources
- [Indiana-based nonprofit selected by U.S. military to lead biotechnology initiative - Daily Journal](https://dailyjournal.net/2026/09/15/indiana-based-nonprofit-selected-by-u-s-military-to-lead-biotechnology-initiative) - dailyjournal.net