About US
The NATO Science & Technology Organization (STO) is NATO’s hub for collaborative research for defence purposes.
Our work ensures that Allied forces maintain their military edge over potential adversaries by drawing decisive advantages from current and evolving technologies. We strive to stay at the forefront of Science & Technology (S&T), forge and nurture partnerships, enhance Alliance decision-making, focus on Alliance needs to boost impact and promote technology demonstrations.
The STO delivers evidence-based advice on significant S&T issue, while leading the delivery of S&T and promoting its exploitation throughout the NATO enterprise. This advice is generated from the STO’s Programmes of Work and other sources to inform planners and decision-makers in Nations and NATO. There are three Programmes of Work: two with a focus on research activities and one dedicated solely to the delivery of S&T advice to relevant actors.
Collaborative Programme of Work
The Collaborative Programme of Work (CPoW) aims to equip Nations with the Science & Technology (S&T) they need to develop interoperable, cutting-edge capabilities. Encompassing more than 400 research activities each year, the CPoW is built upon a collaborative business model that brings together more than 5,000 scientists and engineers in government, industry and academia – making it the world’s largest collaborative network for defence-focused S&T.
CPoW activities are carried out across eight Scientific and Technical Committees (STCs), each its own topical scope:
CMRE Programme of Work
The Centre for Maritime Research Experimentation (CMRE) Programme of Work is an entirely customer-funded programme. It is executed by the CMRE, which organises and conducts scientific research and technology development to deliver research-driven, innovative, and field-tested solutions to address the defence and security needs of the Alliance.
CMRE’s scientific activities are designed to address future defence requirements of the Alliance in the maritime domain:
Advice Programme of Work
The Advice Programme of Work provides analyses of significant S&T trends and developments, and conducts in-depth assessments of the impact of emerging and potentially disruptive technologies on Alliance objectives. This Programme generates the Science & Technology Trends report every two years to inform planners and decision-makers on the major technology trends and their plausible impact on Alliance deterrence and defence 20 years into the future. In addition, as and when requested by NATO senior leadership, the Programme delivers focused assessments on the impact of specific technologies.
STEM Forward Community
Initiatives like Women & Girls in Science Challenge are included in a broader NATO STO initiative, STEM Forward.
Tailored for STEM graduates, young professionals and experts as previous alumni from various STO STEM D&I activities, the STEM Forward community amplifies their voices, provides new opportunities and further empowers their career in STEM.
The community brings together professionals and experts from the STEM ecosystem for the benefit of scientific collaboration and enhancement of the NATO S&T knowledge base.