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NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme 2027 Call for Proposals: Funding for Multi-Year Projects and Scientific Events

Nana Safo
NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme 2027 Call for Proposals: Funding for Multi-Year Projects and Scientific Events
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The NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme has opened its 2027-1 Call for Proposals, inviting scientists, experts, researchers and eligible institutions from NATO member countries and selected NATO partner countries to submit proposals addressing emerging security challenges through scientific research, technological innovation and international knowledge exchange.

The programme provides opportunities for Multi-Year Projects (MYPs) and SPS-supported scientific events, including Advanced Research Workshops, Advanced Training Courses and Advanced Study Institutes. Successful activities can receive funding, expert advice and programme support to develop practical, civil security-relevant solutions that contribute to NATO’s strategic objectives.

The 2027-1 call places particular emphasis on emerging areas such as countering unmanned systems, critical infrastructure protection, hybrid threats, energy resilience, biotechnology and artificial intelligence, and space technologies.

The deadline for full proposals is 15 November 2026 at 23:59 CET.

About the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme

The NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme promotes dialogue and practical cooperation between NATO member states and partner countries.

Through scientific research, technological innovation and knowledge exchange, the SPS Programme brings together scientists, experts and officials to collaborate on security challenges that have implications for NATO and its partner countries.

The programme is designed to support practical, civil security-relevant activities that align with NATO’s strategic priorities. It enables researchers and experts from different countries to work together, develop innovative solutions and establish long-term professional and scientific partnerships.

Funding and support through the SPS Programme can help participating institutions conduct collaborative research, organize specialized scientific events, develop technologies and strengthen cooperation between NATO member states and eligible partner countries.

What Does the 2027-1 NATO SPS Call for Proposals Support?

For this call, the SPS Programme is accepting applications under two broad categories:

1. Multi-Year Projects

Multi-Year Projects are collaborative research and development activities designed to address security-related challenges through practical scientific and technological solutions.

Projects typically run for 24 to 36 months. Shorter implementation periods may also be considered where applicants provide adequate justification.

The programme expects project results to improve upon the existing state of the art and generally aims for results reaching Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3–6.

This means projects should go beyond theoretical research and demonstrate a meaningful pathway toward practical application.

2. SPS Events

The call also supports specialized scientific and expert events, including:

Applicants proposing events are expected to demonstrate that the activity will generate outcomes beyond simply organizing a meeting, workshop or training programme.

The proposal should explain how the event will contribute to NATO-relevant objectives and how its findings, recommendations, research outputs or other results will reach relevant stakeholders and communities of interest.

Networking can be an important part of an SPS-supported event, but networking alone cannot be the primary objective.

Key Areas of Interest for the 2027-1 Call

Applications aligned with any of the SPS Programme’s Key Priorities are welcome.

However, the 2027-1 call identifies several topics of particular interest.

Non-Kinetic Mitigation Measures Against Unmanned Systems

The programme is interested in innovative approaches to addressing security challenges associated with unmanned systems.

Applicants may explore scientific, technological or operational approaches that can help mitigate risks associated with unmanned systems without relying exclusively on conventional kinetic measures.

Protection of Critical Infrastructure, Supplies and Personnel

Another area of interest is the protection and resilience of critical infrastructure, essential supplies and personnel.

This includes particular attention to:

Deterrence and Defence Against Hybrid Tactics

The call encourages proposals addressing hybrid security challenges.

Potential projects may focus on:

Innovative Energy Generation, Storage and Distribution

Energy resilience is another priority area.

The programme is particularly interested in innovative approaches to energy generation, storage and distribution, including technologies and systems that enable critical facilities and deployed systems to continue operating during prolonged interruptions to energy supplies.

Projects may therefore address the resilience of energy systems and the ability of critical infrastructure to function despite extended disruptions.

Biotechnology and Artificial Intelligence

The call identifies biotechnology as an area of particular interest, including the convergence between biotechnology and artificial intelligence.

Researchers and experts working at the intersection of biotechnology and AI may therefore find opportunities to develop collaborative projects addressing relevant security challenges.

Space Technologies

Space-related technologies are also highlighted.

Topics of interest include:

Applicants working on innovative space technologies with clear links to security objectives may consider the SPS Programme as a potential source of collaborative research and development support.

Who Can Apply?

The NATO SPS Programme has specific eligibility requirements.

Applicants must meet all applicable eligibility criteria to have their proposals considered.

A proposal must:

  1. Contribute to NATO’s strategic objectives and have a clear connection to security.
  2. Address at least one of the SPS Key Priorities.
  3. Be jointly developed by scientists or experts from at least one NATO member country and at least one eligible NATO partner country.
  4. Include the required NATO and partner-country Project Directors.
  5. Be developed and implemented by eligible institutions.
  6. Include realistic plans and budgets.
  7. Follow the rules and regulations contained in the relevant SPS handbooks.

Required Project Directors

Each proposed activity must include two key leadership roles.

NATO Country Project Director

The activity must include a NATO country Project Director (NPD).

The NPD must:

Partner Country Project Director

The activity must also include a Partner country Project Director (PPD).

The PPD must:

For Multi-Year Projects, additional Co-Directors from NATO member countries or eligible partner countries may also participate.

Eligible Institutions

Projects must be developed and implemented by Co-Directors who are employed by eligible organizations.

These include:

For-profit private companies are not eligible for SPS funding.

This institutional requirement is particularly important for applicants considering participation through private-sector organizations. A proposal involving a for-profit private company as the institution responsible for the SPS-funded activity would not meet the stated eligibility requirements.

Eligible Countries

The programme allows participation from specified NATO member countries and eligible NATO partner countries.

NATO Member Countries

Eligible NATO member countries include:

Eligible NATO Partner Countries

Eligible NATO partner countries include:

Important: Ghana is not included in the eligible NATO member or NATO partner country lists provided in this call. Therefore, individuals and institutions based in Ghana would not be eligible to participate as the required country Project Director or participating institution under this specific call unless their circumstances otherwise satisfy the programme’s country eligibility rules.

Funding Available Under Multi-Year Projects

The NATO SPS Programme does not establish a strict maximum budget for Multi-Year Projects.

However, the call states that budgets for projects lasting 36 months are typically around €400,000.

Higher budgets may be considered where they are adequately justified, particularly for:

Applicants should therefore develop budgets based on the actual work required to achieve the proposed results rather than simply attempting to request the largest possible amount.

Co-Financing

Applicants may choose to use co-financing.

The call indicates that a reasonable amount of co-financing is up to one-third of the total grant amount.

SPS may consider higher levels of co-financing on a case-by-case basis where the proposal provides sufficient justification.

Project Duration

The typical duration of an SPS Multi-Year Project is:

24 to 36 months

Shorter projects may be considered if the applicant provides a convincing justification.

Applicants should also account for anticipated procurement timelines when developing the project schedule.

This is important because procurement and other administrative processes can affect the actual time required to deliver a project.

What Makes a Strong SPS Proposal?

Applicants are encouraged to thoroughly research the existing state of the art before submitting their proposal.

A strong application should demonstrate:

Applicants should clearly explain how their proposed work improves upon or differs from existing efforts.

The state-of-the-art analysis does not necessarily need to become the main objective of the activity. Instead, it should demonstrate that the applicants understand the existing research and technology landscape and can clearly identify the contribution of their proposed work.

Technology Readiness Levels

For Multi-Year Projects, the SPS Programme expects project results to aim for Technology Readiness Levels 3–6.

Applicants should therefore consider how their research can progress toward practical technological development rather than remaining entirely theoretical.

Projects should demonstrate how the proposed work can improve the state of the art, including where relevant through improvements over commercially available off-the-shelf solutions.

Requirements for Multi-Year Project Applications

A complete Multi-Year Project proposal must include the application submitted through the SPS grant platform along with the required supporting documentation.

Applicants should prepare:

These documents form an important part of a complete application.

Requirements for SPS Events

For Events, applicants must submit a complete application through the SPS grant platform together with the required supporting documentation.

The required documents include:

Applicants should also clearly explain the purpose of the event, its relevance to NATO and its expected impact on relevant stakeholders and communities of interest.

How to Apply for the NATO SPS 2027-1 Call

Applications must be submitted through the official NATO SPS grant platform.

Proposals submitted through other means, including email, will not be considered. Read the full proposal HERE

Step 1: Register

Applicants should first create an account on the SPS grant platform.

Step 2: Find the Opportunity

After registering, applicants should identify the relevant available opportunity on the platform homepage.

Step 3: Start the Application

Applicants should select “Start application” and choose the appropriate grant mechanism.

This may be a Multi-Year Project or an eligible SPS Event.

Step 4: Complete the Proposal

Applicants should provide all required information and upload the relevant supporting documents.

Step 5: Review the Application

Before submission, applicants should carefully check that:

Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline

Applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the final hours to submit their proposals.

The programme specifically advises applicants against last-minute submissions.

Proposal Evaluation Process

After submission, proposals undergo an evaluation process.

The proposal will be evaluated by the SPS Office and the Independent Scientific Evaluation Group (ISEG).

Proposals recommended for funding by the ISEG are then shared with the NATO Partnerships and Cooperative Security Committee (PCSC) for approval.

Applicants should therefore expect a detailed review process rather than an immediate funding decision.

How Long Does the Evaluation Take?

The SPS Programme states that a funding decision can take up to nine months following an application deadline.

Applicants should take this timeframe into account when proposing dates for their projects or events.

This is particularly important for events because applicants should avoid proposing an activity date that would occur before sufficient time has been allowed for the review and funding process.

Important Rules on Multiple Submissions

There are restrictions on the number of proposals an individual can lead.

Co-Directors are limited to one proposal per call.

This means that an individual cannot serve as Co-Director on multiple proposals under the same call.

Rules for Ongoing SPS Activities

Applicants who are already directing an SPS activity must ensure that the existing activity has been formally closed before applying as a Co-Director for a new activity.

A person cannot simultaneously serve as Co-Director of multiple activities.

However, Co-Directors of ongoing activities may participate in new proposals as participants, provided that doing so does not interfere with their existing work.

Budget Planning

Applicants should ensure that proposed budgets are balanced and realistic.

The call specifically states that each Co-Director’s institution should receive an appropriate portion of the project budget.

Applicants should therefore make sure that the budget reflects the actual responsibilities, activities, resources and contributions of participating institutions.

A strong budget should be closely connected to the proposed work plan and should provide a reasonable justification for major expenses.

Intellectual Property Considerations

Multi-Year Project applicants must address intellectual property rights as part of the application.

The proposal must include either:

This ensures that participating institutions understand and agree on how intellectual property arising from the collaborative research will be handled.

End-User Participation

Multi-Year Projects must include an end-user commitment letter for each project end-user.

This requirement emphasizes the practical orientation of SPS-supported projects.

Applicants should therefore consider who will ultimately use, implement or benefit from the project’s results and demonstrate meaningful engagement with those end-users.

Diversity and Inclusion

The NATO SPS Programme states that it is committed to diversity and inclusion.

Eligible applicants are welcomed regardless of:

However, applicants must still meet the programme’s specific country, institutional and project eligibility requirements.

Deadline for the NATO SPS 2027-1 Call for Proposals

The deadline for submitting full proposals is:

15 November 2026 at 23:59 CET

Applications must be submitted through the SPS grant platform before the deadline.

The call warns that data relating to incomplete applications will be lost after the deadline.

Applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to submit their proposals well before the closing time.

Where to Get More Information

Applicants should familiarize themselves with the relevant SPS documentation before preparing their proposals.

In particular, applicants are encouraged to review:

The official NATO SPS resources provide further information on the programme and the management of SPS-supported activities.

Applicants with questions before submitting an application should direct their enquiries to the SPS Programme through the contact form provided on the NATO SPS website.

Key Takeaways

The NATO Science for Peace and Security 2027-1 Call for Proposals provides an opportunity for eligible scientists, experts and institutions to collaborate internationally on practical security-related scientific and technological challenges.

The most important points to remember are:

Conclusion

The NATO Science for Peace and Security 2027-1 Call for Proposals offers a significant opportunity for eligible researchers, scientists, experts and non-profit institutions to develop international collaborations addressing some of the most important emerging security challenges.

The call is particularly relevant to researchers and institutions working in areas such as unmanned systems, critical infrastructure resilience, hybrid threats, energy security, biotechnology and artificial intelligence, and space technologies.

However, eligibility is highly structured. Applicants must establish a qualifying partnership between a NATO member country and an eligible NATO partner country, appoint the required Project Directors, work through an eligible institution and demonstrate a clear connection between the proposed activity and NATO’s strategic security objectives.

Potential applicants should begin developing their partnerships, research concept, project schedule, budget and supporting documentation well before the deadline. Given the detailed evaluation process and the possibility of decisions taking up to nine months, applicants should also plan their proposed project or event dates carefully.

Deadline: 15 November 2026 at 23:59 CET.

All proposals must be submitted through the designated NATO SPS grant platform before the deadline.

More global grant opportunities visit OFY Website HERE

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