NATO Science for Peace Research Grant

NATO's Science for Peace and Security Programme funds civil science projects and expert events that tackle security challenges, run jointly by researchers in a NATO country and a NATO partner country. The 2027-1 call accepts Multi-Year Projects and three kinds of event: Advanced Research Workshops, Advanced Training Courses and Advanced Study Institutes. Each application must be led by two established scientists or experts, one employed and resident in a NATO member country and one in an eligible partner country.

What you get:

• Multi-Year Projects: typically EUR 250,000 to 400,000 over 24 to 36 months, covering project costs such as scientific equipment, computers, software and training of project staff
• Stipends for early stage researchers on the project team, up to EUR 400 a month without a PhD and EUR 500 a month with one
• Advanced Research Workshops: typically EUR 30,000 to 40,000 for a 2 to 5 day workshop of 20 to 50 experts
• Advanced Study Institutes and Advanced Training Courses: on average EUR 60,000 each, covering organisation costs and travel and living costs of lecturers and eligible participants
• Expert advice and programme support from NATO's SPS office

What you'll do:

• Build a joint proposal with a partner institution across the NATO and partner country divide, addressing at least one SPS Key Priority
• For a project, run applied research aiming at Technology Readiness Levels 3 to 6, with named end users committed to taking up the results
• For an event, organise a workshop, course or institute whose results reach stakeholders beyond the event itself
• Submit through the SPS grant platform with a budget, schedule and the required agreements

Key dates:

• Full proposals close 15 November 2026 at 23:59 CET
• Funding decisions can take up to nine months after the deadline

More information:

• Full call text in the SPS 2027-1 call for proposals PDF on nato.int
• Application templates and handbooks on the Managing SPS grants page
• Around 20 percent of proposals are funded

• Two lead applicants are required: a NATO country Project Director resident and employed in a NATO member country, and a Partner country Project Director resident and employed in an eligible NATO partner country
• Co-Directors must be employed by a governmental, academic or other non-profit institution; for-profit companies are not eligible
• Every participant must be a national of a NATO member country or an eligible NATO partner country
• The proposal must link clearly to security, contribute to NATO's strategic objectives and address at least one SPS Key Priority
• One proposal per Co-Director per call, and any SPS activity they already direct must be formally closed first
• No age limit is stated; the call welcomes applicants independent of age