Science for Peace and Security

Notes for Applicants

Multi-year Science for Peace Project grants offer support for applied research and development projects in NATO’s eligible partner countries of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) and Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) to cover project-related costs such as scientific equipment, computers, software, travel and training of project personnel and project-specific consumables.

For countries eligible to participate in SPS multi-year Projects, please refer to “Who can apply for a NATO grant”. Self-funding countries are not eligible to participate in SPS multi-year Projects.

Introduction

• In the framework of the Science for Peace and Security Programme, NATO offers support in applied research and development projects called Multi-Year Science for Peace (SfP) Projects.
• Support for multi-year Projects is offered in the SPS Key Priorities in the areas of Defence Against Terrorism or Countering Other Threats to Security.

Funding Basis

• NATO SPS Project funds will be provided to participants from eligible EAPC and Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) partner countries to cover the cost of scientific equipment, computers, software, travel, training of project personnel, and project-specific consumables. In addition, up to a maximum of 15% of the grant will be available as stipends to key young scientists working on the project.
• Funds provided to NATO countries are mainly to cover travel and project-specific consumables; however, project-specific equipment may be requested with justification.
• The following will NOT be covered from SPS Project funds: salaries, office equipment, overhead costs such as the construction of buildings, maintenance of premises and the supply of consumables such as electricity and heating oil.
• As an indication, an average project is around 250,000 EUR, with a balance between equipment >50%, training and travel <20%, consumables <20% and stipends <15%.  In total, a common budget for the project of +/‑ 5,000 EUR (up to a maximum of 10,000 EUR) is permitted for the actions included in the Communications Plan and held under the administration of the NATO country Project Director (NPD).

Project Characteristics

• Multi-year SfP Projects are of a co-operative nature, jointly carried out among NATO’s eligible partner countries of the EAPC and Mediterranean Dialogue. Projects may be a maximum of three years' duration and those involving more than one eligible EAPC and/or Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) partner country will be encouraged.
• In addition to dealing with SPS Key Priorities, the essential characteristics of multi-year Projects are:
  1. High quality applied R&D.
  2. Substantial scientific co-operation among scientists from NATO and eligible EAPC and MD partner countries.
  3. Ability to contribute to the solution of problems in the field of civil science and security.
  4. Ability to promote collaboration among scientists and end-users.
  5. Good prospects for promoting the integration of the country's scientists into the international R&D community.
  6. Participation of younger scientists.
• As a condition of final approval of a project a written agreement, where appropriate, on the ownership of the intellectual property which may result from the project, must be drawn up and signed by all of the principal participants.  Alternatively, if the Co-Directors conclude that an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) agreement is not required, a statement to that effect must be provided and signed by all parties.
• To contribute to NATO’s public diplomacy efforts a Communications Plan, taking into account project timelines and milestones, is required describing when and how the project will professionally raise awareness within the participating countries and promote the visibility of the Project through use of the media (articles, radio, TV, etc.). The Communications Plan should also include a project web site, professional videos and/or photos.  Wherever possible, use should be made of the Publications Office and/or Public Relations Office of the University/Institute of each Co-Director.  Use of the modern communication tools available at NATO should also be taken into consideration (i.e. NATO website, NATO internet TV, video products, articles for the NATO Review, etc.).

Approval Process

The approval process for multi-year Science for Peace Projects is two-phased:  1. Project Proposals and 2. Project Plans.

• Project Proposals (max. 10 pages + CV's) can be submitted at all times.
• Selection of Project Proposals is based on an evaluation by peer review.  They are selected for support based on the recommendations of an Independent Scientific Evaluation Group (ISEG).  The ISEG will meet at least twice a year and will assess, among other criteria, the scientific and technical quality of the Proposal as well as its relevance to security and the SPS Key Priorities.
• Applicants of Proposals recommended for further development by the ISEG will be invited to prepare a detailed Project Plan.  A NATO grant ("Planning Grant") of limited funds will be made available by NATO in order for principal participants to travel to meet, prepare and present this Project Plan.  The NATO country Project Director (NPD) is responsible for the administration of the Planning Grant
• The Planning Grant is transferred to a bank account in the name of the NPD to be used for the preparation of the Project Plan in accordance with the conditions of award of the planning grant letter.  Following presentation of the Project Plan to the ISEG the NPD should submit to NATO a final accounting of use of the funds, with receipts.
• The Project Plan is a stand-alone document which should describe in detail the purpose and scientific and socio-economic objectives of the project, its management and organisation, the responsibilities of key personnel, technical aspects, planned implementation of the project results and must also include a detailed work plan, communications plan, budget and IPR agreement (or signed statement provided if an IPR agreement is deemed by the Co-Directors to not be required).  The original project proposal should also be included.
• The two lead Co-Directors (NPD and PPD) will personally present the Project Plan to the ISEG and, if accepted by NATO, full project support will begin. The approved Project Plan will become the basis of a contract between all Project Co-Directors and NATO.

Level of Financial Support available from NATO

• Although there are no formal upper and lower limits to the level of funds which may be requested from NATO for individual projects, the average amount awarded is between 250,000 and 300,000 EUR per project, of which no more than one-third of the total amount may be awarded to the NATO country participants. Projects requesting NATO funds in excess of 300,000 EUR will accordingly need to be of exceptionally high national priority and involve several eligible EAPC and/or MD partner countries (transboundary projects).

Submission of application form

• The Proposal must be submitted on the specific application form available at the website and must be signed by both lead Co-Directors (NPD and PPD). A one-page Curriculum Vitae of each Co-Director should be supplied in the requested format. Letters of commitment from national authorities may be included. The Proposal, incorporating scanned signatures, should be sent as one complete document to the following e-mail address: sps.applications@hq.nato.int

Definitions

• PPD
  Partner country Project Director: The lead person from and representing the eligible EAPC and/or Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) partner country(ies) participating in the project and having responsibility for the management and implementation of the project. The PPD will also be the person responsible, together with the NATO country Project Director (NPD), for the preparation of the Project Plan and its presentation to the Independent Scientific Evaluation Group (ISEG). There may be only one PPD in a multi-year SfP Project.
  
  
• NPD
  NATO country Project Director: The lead person from and representing the NATO country(ies) participating in the Project and having overall responsibility for the management and implementation of the project. The NPD will also be the person responsible, together with the PPD, for the preparation of the Project Plan and its presentation to the Independent Scientific Evaluation Group (ISEG). There may be only one NPD a multi-year SfP Project.
  
  
• Project Co-Directors
  Project Co-Directors are leaders of research teams and/or Government ministry/State organisation/regional authority from NATO, EAPC and/or Mediterranean Dialogue partner countries for whom a NATO budget is requested. Collectively, the NPD and PPD are also considered as Co-Directors.
  
  Should a Government ministry, State organisation or regional authority also be an end-user of the results of the project, they should be additionally included as such in the Proposal form.
  
  
• Industrial and/or Public Sector Collaborators
  These are companies or organisations that are actually participating in the project and contributing their know-how and expertise toward bringing the project to a successful conclusion. These companies or organisations will generally be the end-users of the results of the project.
  
  
• End-User
  The entity(ies) which will be using the results of the project.
  
  In the case of environmental security projects this can be, e.g., a Government ministry, State organisation or regional authority in charge of the environmental protection within a participating country.
  
  In the case of industrial projects, the end-user(s) will generally be a private, commercial and/or industrial company(ies).
  
  Private/Commercial/Industrial Companies are not eligible to receive NATO funding.