NATO’s Science for Peace and Security Programme Launches Special Calls

NATO’s Science for Peace and Security Programme (SPS) promotes dialogue and practical cooperation between NATO member states and partner nations based on scientific research, technological innovation and knowledge exchange. Funding is offered through three grant mechanisms: Multi-Year Research and Development Projects, Advanced Research Workshops, and training courses.

The Programme has now launched two Special Calls for Proposals: A Special Call on Security-Related Advanced Technologies, and a Special Call on Explosives Detection.

The Special Call on Security-Related Advanced Technologies aims to enhance the SPS portfolio in the following areas:

Data science and Artificial Intelligence

Communication systems

Material science

Sensors and detectors

Autonomy and counter-autonomy

Technological convergence

Proposals should specifically respond to one or more of the identified areas.

The Special Call on Explosives Detection aims to support the development of new capabilities and technologies to tackle the significant threat posed by explosive hazards (eg mines, UXOs, IEDs, etc.), and in particular to meet the growing need for methods to quickly and successfully detect explosives in both military and civilian environments.

One of the specific objectives of this Call is to encourage applications that bring long-term impact, and have a thematic and geographical strategic perspective. To this end, applications that promote long-term research in hard sciences, as well as in social disciplines (such as political science, anthropology, sociology, psychology, etc) are encouraged. Social sciences applications may be in the form of long-term studies, case studies with practical applications (ie sharing best practices, developing recommendations, identifying gaps), and field studies, etc.

Applicants should consider their project’s relevance to NATO’s key tasks of collective defence, crisis management and cooperative security.

This Call solicits proposals in the following areas:

Multi-Sensor Systems

Data Analysis

New or Rapidly Developing Technologies

Preparation for Actual Field Conditions

One of the principal goals of the Science for Peace and Security Programme is to promote cooperation between NATO countries and NATO partner nations; therefore, only applications from researchers in those countries can be accepted.

The deadline for both Calls is 15 February 2020.

Applications can be made through all three grant mechanisms.

More information about this research funding opportunity and the application process is available on the RESEARCHconnect funding information platform. RESEARCHconnect provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on research funding news and policy. To find out more about how RESEARCHconnect can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.