Page Updated: 03-Apr-2009
Grant Mechanisms > NIG

Networking Infrastructure Grants (SPS NIGs)

Notes for Applicants

Contents Purpose and format Application Guidelines Basic Principles Project Participants/Project Co-Directors Evaluation Funding Reporting Applications   Who can apply   Deadlines   Application form

Networking Infrastructure Grants (NIG) provide assistance to Partner country research institutions in purchasing equipment that will improve the level and the quality of telecommunication facilities.

Purpose and Format

• The purpose of a Networking Infrastructure Grant (NIG) is to promote local and international collaboration through the setting up of links and networking capabilities. The grant provides assistance to Partner country institutions for purchasing equipment that will improve the level and the quality of telecommunication facilities. In addition, it provides training, software and travel to promote distance-learning programs and collaborative projects which are based on electronic communication.
• The infrastructure projects supported by these grants are regional by definition. They are aimed at improving the general connectivity of a whole community in a specific geographical region; they build upon existing infrastructure and propose ways to improve the quality of the network by increasing the bandwidth between major sites and by distributing access to larger communities.
• A Networking Infrastructure Grant is intended to set up the links and networking capabilities in Partner countries necessary to facilitate international collaboration in research, but not to fund research projects per se.
• To be eligible for support a project must include non-profit-making institutions or research establishments from one or more Partner countries and must be presented in collaboration with an institution from a NATO country.

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Application Guidelines

• Applications should demonstrate a clear benefit to a large user community, including several institutions, and should show a clear level of cooperation between the various institutions. The responsibilities of each participant should be clearly described. Evidence that the infrastructure will be shared by many institutions and users will be considered during the evaluation process.
• Applications from single institutions will be given lower priority. Low priority will also be given to applications for substantial upgrades of existing, operational infrastructure which already has reasonable national and/or international connectivity.
• Applications aimed at linking together more widespread communities, across regions or countries should clearly describe how to link into and cooperate with existing regional infrastructures.
• Applications must be fully documented and justified and the equipment requested must be specifically required for networking purposes and not for research, calculations, graphics or printing purposes.
• Applications where the level of funding requires the involvement of several funding agencies are acceptable if the NATO contribution to the project is well defined and clearly identifiable.
• Applications should describe existing networking capabilities and how the proposed additional equipment or software can enhance its use.

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Basic Principles

• Following are some basic principles that should guide applicants for Networking Infrastructure Grants when completing application forms. These Grants are intended primarily:
  1. to provide connectivity to Partner communities which are not yet connected to the internet;
  2. to increase the number of users in a given Partner community already connected;
  3. to provide equipment, training, software and travel for communication and not for research purposes;
  4. to promote distance-learning programs;
  5. to develop virtual communities of experts in a field.

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Project Participants/Project Co-Directors

• Project Participants are senior scientists responsible for the project who are group leaders of the collaborating teams.
• Two Project Participants - one from a NATO country and one from a Partner country - should be designated Project Co-Directors.
• To reduce the paperwork, correspondence between NATO and the research teams will be directed to one person. For administrative reasons the NATO-country Co-Director will be selected to be this person and will receive the award letter on behalf of the participants. The grant will also be paid to the NATO-country Co-Director, who will be responsible for disbursing the grant and for reporting to NATO. He or she must keep the Project Participants informed on the status of the application and the grant.

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Evaluation

• Applications are reviewed by an international Advisory Panel of experts in Computer Networking and Information & Communication Security. The review is in part based on detailed referee comments from senior scientists and other experts active in the field.

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Funding

• Awarded funds can be used to cover the purchase of computer networking equipment for institutions only in eligible Partner countries, as well as some of the Partner institutions' costs for services such as leased lines. Fees related to leased lines will be covered for one year maximum.
• In addition, funds can be used for training, software and travel which promote distance-learning and collaborative projects which are based on electronic communication.
• The NIG will include a monthly stipend for an appropriately qualified expert who will be responsible for implementing the networking infrastructure. The stipend will be in the range of €50 to €100 per month, depending on the technical qualifications of the expert. The stipend will cover the two year duration of the grant.
• Payments to an award are made on a "need-to-pay" basis, and will be initiated only after receipt of a detailed budget for the amount requested.
• No institutional overhead expenses may be charged to the grant.

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Reporting

• An interim report on progress achieved and financial expenditure to date should be submitted within twelve months of the date of acceptance of the award and with each payment request
• A final scientific and financial report is required on completion of the project, and in any case within thirty months of the date of acceptance of the award.

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Applications

• Applications for Networking Infrastructure Grants should be presented on the specific application form provided, signed by the NATO-country and the Partner-country Project Co-Directors, and forwarded to the following address:

Science for Peace and Security Programme
Public Diplomacy Division
NATO
Bd. Leopold III
1110 Brussels, Belgium

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