About the program
The Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme is a policy tool that enhances cooperation and dialogue with all partners, based on scientific research, innovation, and knowledge exchange. The SPS Programme provides funding, expert advice, and support to security-relevant activities jointly developed by a NATO member and partner country.
Highlights
The SPS Programme provides funding, expert advice, and support to security-relevant activities jointly developed by a NATO member and partner country.
It enhances cooperation and dialogue with all partners, based on scientific research, innovation, and knowledge exchange.
Over the past five years the programme has initiated 450 collaborative activities in more than 40 partner countries from cyber security in Jordan to defence against CBRN agents and energy security in Ukraine.
More background information
Introduction to the SPS Programme
Founded in 1958, the Programme contributes towards the Alliance’s core goals and promotes regional cooperation through scientific projects and activities. Over its long history, the SPS Programme has continuously adapted to the demands of the times. To this end, a comprehensive reorientation of the Programme took place in 2013, which gave SPS a renewed focus on larger scale strategic activities beyond purely scientific cooperation.
The SPS Programme now promotes civil, security-related practical cooperation, and focuses on a growing range of contemporary security challenges, including terrorism, defence against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents, cyber defence, energy security and environmental concerns, as well as human and social aspects of security, such as the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325).
The Programme provides the Alliance with distinctive, non-military communication channels, including in situations where other forms of dialogue are difficult to establish. Accordingly, SPS often serves as the first concrete link between NATO and a partner.
The SPS Programme: science, partnership and security
The Programme promotes collaboration and cooperative security based on three core dimensions: science, partnership and security.
Science
The Programme helps to foster research, innovation, and knowledge exchange in an effort to address mutual security challenges. SPS has a vast network reaching out to hundreds of universities and institutions across the world.
Deadlines
All applications must address the SPS Key Priorities and must have a clear link to security and to NATO’s strategic objectives.
Applications for funding should be sent to: sps.applications@hq.nato.int
There are normally 2-3 peer review evaluation panels held each year, with deadlines for application submissions corresponding to their scheduling. Upcoming deadlines are:
- 1 October 2016
- 1 February 2017
- 1 July 2017
- 1 October 2017
As a decision on funding can take up to 9 months following an application deadline, it is important to take this into consideration when proposing dates for an activity.
Partnership
The collaborative framework of the Programme brings together scientists, experts, and policy makers from Allied and partner countries to address today’s security challenges. Moreover, the SPS Programme is well known as a tool available to all partners, thus proving that practical cooperation is achievable across political barriers through scientific exchange. Over the past five years the Programme has initiated over 450 collaborative activities in more than 40 partner countries.
Security
In line with guidance from NATO nations, all projects developed under SPS must have a relevant security dimension. This fundamental link to security is also reflected in the SPS Key Priorities developed by Allies. All activities funded under the SPS Programme must address one or more of the SPS Key Priorities
SPS grants
The SPS Programme supports collaboration through three established grant mechanisms: multi-year research projects, workshops, and training courses. Interested applicants should develop proposals for activities that fit within one of these formats.
To that end, interested parties submit an application for funding that must be led by project directors from at least one Allied and one partner country. These applications must also directly address the SPS Key Priorities and have a clear link to security. Once an application has been received by the SPS Programme it will undergo a comprehensive evaluation and approval process, taking into account expert, scientific and political guidance.
This process ensures that all SPS applications approved for funding have been evaluated by NATO experts, independent scientists, and NATO nations themselves.
Application
Who can apply
The SPS programme is a partnership programme applications for funding must be submitted jointly by a NATO and a partner country Co-Director.
Selection Procedure
The Partnership and Cooperative Security Committee (PCSC) also gives the final approval on the selection of projects recommended after scientific peer evaluation by an independent group of scientific experts.
The outcome of the selection procedure will be communicated in written form to applicants within nine months. Feedback on applications will be given on a case by case basis.
For more information click "Further official information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_85373.htm?