The areas are defined in detail under the “defence against terrorism”, and “other threats to security” headings. On the other hand, different national priorities are also considered among the defined priority areas.

NATO Science for Peace Programme

Introduction:
The programme aims to link science and society through projects in security, environmental sustainability and other defined priorities of its partner nations. The SPS Programme enables NATO to demonstrate its commitment to practical, visible projects with tangible output and to contribute to security, stability and solidarity among nations, by applying the best technical expertise to problem solving.

Duration:
Ongoing programme

Objectives:
Various Grant mechanisms
A) Collaborative Grants In Priority Research Areas
■ Advanced Research Workshops (SPS ARWs): to organise expert workshops to exchange views at the frontiers of a subject; aims at identifying directions for future research and promoting working relationships between scientists from different countries and with different professional experience.
■ Advanced Study Institutes (SPS ASIs): to organise high level tutorial courses to make in-depth analysis on a subject to advance together with the internationally recognised lecturers.
■ Advanced Training Course (SPS ATC): designed to enable specialists in NATO countries to share their expertise with trainees from partner and Mediterranean Dialogue countries.
■ Collaborative Linkage Grants (SPS CLGs): to provide assistance to research groups or institutions in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and the Mediterranean Dialogue to collaborate on research projects.
■ Science for Peace projects (SPS SFPs): to collaborate on multi-year applied R&D projects in partner or Mediterranean Dialogue countries.
B) Computer Networking and Electronic Communication support for Partner Countries
■ Advanced Networking Workshops (SPS ANWs): to enable workshops in partner countries, to harmonise their network policy at a national and international level, to enable the training of qualified network managers and to convene expert meetings to enhance the use of electronic communication.
■ Networking Infrastructure Grants (SPS NIGs): to enable research institutions in partner countries to improve their telecommunication facilities and to enhance the use of such facilities.

Eligible Countries in WBC:
All WBCs are so-called “NATO Partner Countries“, eligible to participate in the NATO SPS activities.

Participation rule:
1 researcher from NATO country, 1 from an eligible partner country.
Projects can be submitted always throughout the year. Three deadlines are set each year to meet the three review sessions of the scientific advisory panels.

Conditions of funding:
SPS programme priorities identified by the partner countries
■ Albania: Environmental Security, Information Technology (IT), Biotechnology-Bioscience, Forecast and Prevention of Catastrophes, Human & Societal Dynamics, Food Security.
■ Bosnia & Herzegovina: Environmental Security, IT, Forecast and Prevention of Catastrophes, Defence Against Terrorism.
■ Croatia: Environmental Security, Forecast and Prevention of Catastrophes, Human & Societal Dynamics, Border Security / Transport Security.
■ FYR of Macedonia: Environmental Security, IT, Biotechnology-Bioscience, Human & Societal Dynamics, Food Security, Advance Technology.
■ Montenegro: Environmental Security, IT, Biotechnology-Bioscience, Forecast and Prevention of Catastrophes, Human & Societal Dynamics.
■ Serbia: Environmental Security, IT, Biotechnology-Bioscience, Forecast and Prevention of Catastrophes, Human & Societal Dynamics, Food Security, Advance Technology, Defence Against Terrorism.

Budget:
The amount of funding of many of the funding types is decided on a case-to-case basis.

More information:
General information on the programme:
http://www.nato.int/science/

Grant mechanisms:
http://www.nato.int/science/nato_funded_activities/grant_mechanisms.htm
http://www.nato.int/science/nato_funded_activities/pdf/country_priorities.pdf

Correspondence to WBC needs:
■ Upgrade and renewal of ICT infrastructures
■ Enhancement of regional co-operation
■ Definition of priority research areas
■ Measures against brain drain/brain waste
■ Support of mobility of researchers
■ Specific support to basic research
■ Specific support to applied research
■ Strengthen connection between basic and applied research

Download the full report from http://www.wbc-inco.net/doc/1005.html