NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Science for Peace and Security

SPS key priorities

SPS Key Priorities are based on NATO’s Strategic Concept as agreed by Allies in Lisbon in November 2010 and the Strategic Objectives of NATO’s Partner Relations as agreed in Berlin in April 2011, without any indication of priority ranking.

All SPS activities funded under the SPS Programme must adress the SPS Key Priorities listed below and must have a clear link to security and to NATO’s strategic objectives.

Information on eligibility is available at: www.nato.int/science, under “Who can apply”.

When applying, reference to the addressed priority(ies) should be given directly on the application form.

1. Facilitate mutually beneficial cooperation on issues of common interest, including international efforts to meet emerging security challenges
   1. Counter-Terrorism
      • Methods for the protection of critical infrastructure, supplies and personnel;
      • Human factors in the defence against terrorism;
      • Detection technologies against the terrorist threat for explosive devices and other illicit activities;
      • Risk management, best practices and technologies in response to terrorism.
   2. Energy Security
      • Innovative energy solutions for the military; battlefield energy solutions; renewable energy solutions with military applications;
      • Energy infrastructure security;
      • Maritime aspects of energy security;
      • Technological aspects of energy security.
   3. Cyber Defence
      • Critical infrastructure protection, including sharing of best practices, capacity building and policies;
      • Support in developing cyber defence capabilities, including new technologies and support to the construction of information technology infrastructure;
      • Cyber defence situation awareness.
   4. Defence against CBRN Agents
      • Methods and technology regarding the protection against, diagnosing effects, detection, decontamination, destruction, disposal and containment of CBRN agents;
      • Risk management and recovery strategies and technologies;
      • Medical countermeasures against CBRN agents.
   5. Environmental Security
      • Security issues arising from key environmental and resource constraints, including health risks, climate change, water scarcity and increasing energy needs, which have the potential to significantly affect NATO’s planning and operations;
      • Disaster forecast and prevention of natural catastrophes;
      • Defence-related environmental issues.
        
        
2. Enhance support for NATO-led operations and missions
   • Provision of civilian support through SPS Key Priorities;
   • Provision of access to information through internet connectivity as in the SILK-Afghanistan Programme;
   • Cultural and social aspects in military operations and missions;
   • Enhancing cooperation with other international actors.
     
     
3. Enhance awareness on security developments including through early warning, with a view to preventing crises
1. Security-related Advanced Technology

   Emerging technologies including nanotechnology, optical technology, micro satellites, metallurgy and the development of UAV platforms.

2. Border and Port Security
   • Border and port security technology;
   • Cross border communication systems and data fusion;
   • Expert advice and assessments of border security needs and best practice.
3. Mine and Unexploded Ordnance Detection and Clearance
   • Development and provision of advanced technologies, methodologies and best practice;
   • Solutions to counter improvised explosive devices (IED).
4. Human and Social Aspects of Security related to NATO’s strategic objectives




4. Any project related clearly linked to a threat to security not otherwise defined in these priorities may also be considered for funding under the SPS Programme. Such proposals will be examined for links to NATO’s Strategic Objectives.