NATO SCIENCE FOR PEACE AND SECURITY CALL FOR PROPOSALS 2026-1

Eligibility

General Eligibility

1. Alignment with NATO objectives
   • The proposal must contribute to NATO’s strategic objectives and have a clear link to security.
2. Address SPS Key Priorities
   • The project must address at least one of the SPS Programme’s Key Priorities.
3. International collaboration
   • Developed jointly by scientists or experts from at least one NATO member country and one eligible NATO partner country.
   • All participants must be nationals of a NATO member or eligible partner country.
4. Project Directors
   • Each activity must include:
     • NATO country Project Director (NPD): Scientist/expert resident and employed in a NATO member country.
     • Partner country Project Director (PPD): Scientist/expert resident and employed in an eligible NATO partner country.
   • Additional Co-Directors may be included for Multi-Year Projects.
5. Institutional affiliation
   • Co-Directors must be employed by governmental, academic, or other non-profit institutions.
   • For-profit private companies are not eligible for SPS funding.
6. Budget and planning
   • Must include realistic plans and budgets.
7. Compliance
   • Must follow SPS rules and regulations outlined in the SPS handbooks.
8. Grant limitations
   • Individual applicants may not hold more than one SPS grant at a time.

Eligible Countries

• NATO Member Countries: Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, UK, USA.
• Eligible NATO Partner Countries: Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Egypt, Georgia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea (Republic), Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Malta, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, Qatar, Serbia, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UAE, Uzbekistan.

Summary

The NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme invites applications for Multi-Year Projects and Events (Advanced Research Workshops, Advanced Training Courses, and Advanced Study Institutes) that foster scientific cooperation between NATO member and partner countries. Proposals must align with NATO’s strategic objectives and SPS Key Priorities, with particular interest in themes such as Innovation and Emerging Disruptive Technologies (including autonomy, AI, biotechnologies, and space technologies) and Defence against Hybrid Threats.

Applications are submitted exclusively through the SPS grant platform and must include all required supporting documents. Multi-Year Projects follow a two-phase process: a short-form concept note (Phase 1) due by 31 January 2026, followed by a full proposal for selected applicants (Phase 2). Event proposals follow a single-phase process, also due by 31 January 2026.

Proposals should demonstrate clear objectives, methodological soundness, and measurable impact beyond the project’s duration. Networking is encouraged but cannot be the sole goal. Applicants must map the state-of-the-art and show how their project advances current knowledge. SPS emphasizes diversity and inclusion across all participating countries.

Overhead

Overhead costs are not supported.

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST).

Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.

Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application