NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme

Overview of the SPS Programme

Emerging Security Challenges Division

NATO

Summary

• What is the SPS Programme about?

• Objectives of the SPS Programme

• A Unique Network of Cooperation

• What Types of Activities can we offer?

• Some Project Examples

• Role of the SPS Programme in the Emerging Security Challenges

(ESC) Division

• Who can Apply?

• How to Apply?

SPS Programme

• Enhances cooperation with all partnerships based on security-related

civil science and innovation,

• Conducts activities aligned with NATO’s Strategic Objectives,

• Sponsors activities to identify future threats, raising awareness and

contribute to finding solutions

SPS Project in Key Priority Areas

– Top-Down ProjectsResponding to partner needs

– Bottom-Up ProjectsIndividual scientists and security experts applying for funding

The 2012 SPS Programme Budget is 12.085 million Euros.

SPS Objectives

Establish concrete security-related science civil collaboration between NATO countries and Partner countries,

Contribute to solving problems effecting large societies in partner countries,

Promote NATO’s values and image in targeted communities in Partner countries and society at large– Young generation of ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’

Contribute to Stability and Peace e.g. by promoting regional co-operation

Provide seed money for seed projects to provide the basis for addressing priority needs

SPS Key prioritiesA. Projects that may receive funding from the SPS budget.

A.1. Projects in direct support of NATO operations and missions.

A.2. Defence against teorist threats

A.2.a. Defensible methods of transport of fuel, supplies, and personnel.

A.2.b. Medical countermeasures for non-CBRN terrorist attacks.

A.2.c. Explosives detection.

A.2.d. Computer terrorism countermeasures and cyber defence.

A.2.e. Study of human factors in defence against terrorism.

A.2.f. Border and port security.

A.3. Defence against CBRN agents

A.3.a. Novel methods of detecting, protecting against and diagnosing the effects of CBRN agents on organisms.

A.3.b. Decontamination, destruction, and disposal of CBRN agents; medical countermeasures and containment technologies.

A.3.c. Decontamination of food processing facilities after CBRN attack.

A.3.d. Risk management strategies which minimise public contact with agents.

A.4. Countering other threats to security

A.4.a. Energy security

A.4.b. Security-related advanced technology

A.4.c. Defence-related environmental issues.

A.4.d. Landmine and Unexploded Ordnance Detection and Clearance Technologies.

B. Projects that may receive funding from the SPS budget only if there are no sufficient applications of an appropriate-quality in Category A.

B.1. Countering other threats to security

B.1.a. Human and societal dynamics

B.1.b. Food security in times of combat.

B.1.c. Physical construction of Information Technology Infrastructure.

C. Any other Security-Related Activities.

NATO Countries (28)Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.Euro Atlantic Partnership Council Countries (22)Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Finland, Georgia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Ireland, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia(*), Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.Mediterranean Dialogue Countries (7)Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco, TunisiaIstanbul Initiative Countries (4)Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates.Global Partner Countries (8)Afghanistan, Australia, Iraq, Japan, Mongolia, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea , New Zealand

Total: 69 countries (*) Turkey recognizes the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.

A Unique Network of Cooperation

What can we do?

• Multi-year Projects

• Workshops

• Training

• Network Infrastructure Grants

Grant mechanisms

Multi-year projects which contribute to capacity

building, providing equipment and training of young

experts, generally through exchange of information and

experience.

Goal: to solve problems with concrete deliverables and

pre-defined end-users.

The average cost for such a project is in the range of EUR

250K to 300K/3-5 years. Partner countries provide both

manpower (salaries) and logistics (laboratories).

Multi-year Projects

Meetings of high level experts to assess the most advanced

knowledge on SPS - Priority Areas and provide recommendations /

conclusions for future actions; The duration of a workshop is flexible (about 3 working days); The number of key speakers and participants varies between 20

and 50; The results are expected to be published under NATO Science

Series.

Workshops

Enable specialists in NATO countries to share their

expertise with trainees from Partner countries;

The number of trainees varies between 40 and 60;

The duration is 5 or 10 working days;

The results are expected to be published under NATO

Science Series.

Training

Role of the SPS Programme in the ESC Division

Past• Cold War Tool• Decision-making only by

Scientists• Bringing scientists

together from NATO countries

• Cross-cutting science was the criteria for selection

Today• Partnership tool• In line with NATO´s political

agenda• Final decision for funding

given by the nations in the Political and Partnership Committee (PPC)

• Not only scientists eligible for cooperation

Emerging Security Challenges

“Review” process for “bottom-up” projects

1Through silence procedure

– Assess scientific soundness of the project, subject of the grant request, through peer review

– Monitor progress of multi-year projectsGrant

applications

Grant awarded

– Assess “strategic and political guidance" of the SPS programme in alignment with NATO strategies1

ISEG

– High-level priorities

– Program of work

– Target grantees

Source: McKinsey & Company

PPCESC/SPS Working Group

Who can Apply?

• Experts in security related civil science and technology

• Scientist, Think Tank, Government, University

• Funding joint cooperative projects between experts from NATO nations and partner countries

Who can Apply?

How to Apply

• Identify a relevant topic which you wish to open to

international cooperation,

• Determine the appropriate grant mechanism,

• Find a qualified collaborator from a Partner or NATO

country,

• Visit the NATO SPS Website for assistance and

downloadable application forms and instructions,

• Complete the ‘Application Form’ with your

collaborator and submit it.

Civil

Security

The SPS website is the primary source for applicants and participants on

activities and procedures

– Instructions for applicants

– Downloadable application forms

www.nato.int/science

SPS Website

Scientific cooperation between NATO and Russia

• Russia is the most active Partner country in the SPS Programme

• A special programme of support for cooperation between scientists and experts from Russia and NATO countries has been established within the SPS Programme.

• The NATO-Russia Council (NRC) SPS Committee has as well drawn up an Action Plan which provides for collaboration especially in:

1. Defence against terrorist threats2. countering other threats to security

Example of an SPS ProjectStand-Off Explosives Detection Programme

STANDEX• To confront and counter the threat of attacks

on mass transit, NATO countries and Russia share their expertise and technology in a joint endeavour aiming to detect a suicide bomber in a crowd and to prevent potential attacks.

• The core concept is to bring together various techniques for the detection of explosives and the localisation, identification and tracking of potential perpetrators of attacks.

• F, D, US, NL, UK, Russia

Thank you

Questions?