The NATO SPS Programme is soliciting applications for grants for Advanced Research Workshops (ARW) to be organised by scientists, experts and policy makers of NATO member states and of countries that are associated with NATO through the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and through the Mediterranean Dialogue, in the following areas:

1. Maritime Security:
Threats and challenges of the maritime environment; maritime transportation and commerce security; maritime infrastructure security and recovery; harbour protection; terrorist and piracy threats; sensor and detection technology for monitoring capabilities; border issues.

2. Energy Security:
Energy production and infrastructure protection; risk assessment and crisis management; energy and environment security; fossil fuel depletion; renewable and new energy sources; energy needs and consequences on security

3. Weapons of Mass Destruction:
Detection methods; assessment of WMD threat; effects of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear WMD; countermeasures for WMD.

4. Cyber Security:
Security-related aspects of information system and networks; measures for preventing and detecting cyber attacks; cryptography; privacy and data protection; back-up and physical protection; risk assessment and management; security policies and standards; infrastructure security and reliability; security tools and network services

The proposed ARW should take place in 2008.

Application forms for NATO ARW can be downloaded from the web site, they should be sent to SPS Programme, NATO Public Diplomacy Division, NATO 1110 Brussels – Belgium, or e-mailed to: science@hq.nato.int

Any person who is an expert in the above mentioned fields and who has his main residence in a NATO, Partner or Mediterranean Dialogue country can apply.

To be eligible for consideration, normally an application for a grant must be submitted jointly by a person from a NATO country and a person from either a Partner country or a Mediterranean Dialogue country. Exceptionally, applications submitted by NATO country only applicants, could be accepted for this special call, pending specific approval by NATO.

The evaluation process will take into account:

1. The relevance to the areas mentioned above;
2. The technical quality of the proposal;
3. The qualification of key-speakers ;
4. The balanced international participation.

The co-Directors of the awarded Advanced Research Workshops will have at their disposal NATO funds, which may be used to support the costs of qualified participants from NATO, Partner or Mediterranean Dialogue countries, and for organisational expenses. An additional grant will also be awarded for publishing the proceedings of the ARW. An expedited provision of manuscripts is expected in this case.

Applicants will be informed on the outcome of the evaluation process by June 30, 2008.

Source: Nato SPS website