CFPs: NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme

Deadline: 15-Nov-2026

The NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme is inviting joint proposals from scientists and experts in NATO member countries and eligible partner countries to address shared security challenges through collaborative research and scientific events. The programme supports international cooperation between scientists and experts whose work contributes to NATO’s strategic objectives and strengthens collective security. The call supports Multi-Year Projects as well as Events, including Advanced Research Workshops, Advanced Training Courses, and Advanced Study Institutes. The Science for Peace and Security Programme, known as the SPS Programme, provides a framework for scientific and expert cooperation between NATO member countries and eligible partner countries. The programme focuses on developing knowledge, research, and practical solutions that can address shared security challenges. Supported activities are expected to demonstrate a clear connection to security and NATO’s strategic objectives. The call welcomes proposals under two broad categories:

Events can include:

The programme encourages proposals that bring together experts from NATO member and eligible partner countries to work collaboratively on security-related research and knowledge exchange. Proposals should align with one or more of the SPS Key Priorities. The call has particular interest in areas including: Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed activity addresses a relevant security challenge and contributes to NATO’s strategic objectives. One area of interest is the development of non-kinetic approaches for mitigating threats or risks associated with unmanned systems. Proposals in this area should demonstrate a clear connection to shared security challenges and the objectives of the SPS Programme. The programme is also interested in research addressing the protection and resilience of critical infrastructure. This includes maritime and undersea infrastructure, reflecting the importance of resilient infrastructure to collective security. Another priority area focuses on deterrence and defence against hybrid tactics. Research and cooperation in this area can contribute to understanding and developing responses to security challenges involving hybrid approaches. The programme welcomes work related to innovative approaches to energy generation and distribution. Proposals should demonstrate how the proposed research or cooperation can contribute to addressing relevant security challenges. Biotechnology is another area of interest, including the convergence of biotechnology with artificial intelligence. Applicants working at the intersection of these fields should demonstrate the relevance of their proposed work to shared security challenges and NATO’s strategic objectives. The SPS Programme also highlights space technologies related to: Proposals should establish how the proposed scientific cooperation relates to security and the programme’s strategic priorities. SPS proposals must be jointly developed by scientists or experts from eligible countries. Each proposal must include participants from: All participants must be nationals of the eligible NATO member or partner countries involved in the proposal. Each activity must have two Project Directors: Both Project Directors must be employed by an eligible institution, such as: The two-country leadership structure is intended to ensure genuine cooperation between NATO member and partner-country experts. For-profit private companies are not eligible for SPS funding. Project Directors and participating institutions must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements, including the requirement concerning governmental, academic, or other non-profit institutions. Applicants should therefore ensure that the proposed project structure satisfies the institutional eligibility requirements. Proposals should clearly explain the scientific or expert cooperation being proposed and its relevance to security.

A strong proposal should demonstrate:

Applicants must provide realistic plans and budgets for their proposed activities. The proposal should clearly explain how the planned activities will be implemented and how the requested resources will support the project’s objectives. The budget should be appropriate to the proposed activities and demonstrate responsible planning. International cooperation is central to the SPS Programme. By requiring joint participation from at least one NATO member country and one eligible NATO partner country, the programme encourages experts to combine knowledge, research capabilities, and perspectives from different countries. This collaborative approach is intended to support solutions to shared security challenges. The SPS Programme supports scientific and expert cooperation between NATO member countries and eligible partner countries to address shared security challenges. The call supports Multi-Year Projects and Events, including Advanced Research Workshops, Advanced Training Courses, and Advanced Study Institutes. Scientists and experts from NATO member and eligible NATO partner countries can participate in joint proposals. Each proposal must include participants from at least one NATO member country and one eligible NATO partner country. Each activity must have a Project Director from a NATO member country and a Project Director from an eligible partner country. Project Directors must be employed by governmental, academic, or other non-profit institutions. No. For-profit private companies are not eligible for SPS funding. Priority areas include non-kinetic measures against unmanned systems, critical infrastructure protection and resilience, hybrid tactics, innovative energy generation and distribution, biotechnology and AI convergence, and space technologies related to awareness, position, navigation, and timing. Yes. Proposals must demonstrate a clear link to security and contribute to NATO’s strategic objectives. Yes. P