Can my team participate?

The proposals must be submitted by individuals.

How many participants are going to the finale?

Twelve finalists are chosen to present their ideas at NATO HQ. All of their travel and accommodation is covered by the NATO Science & Technology Organization.

Will I need to provide any additional information or documentation beyond the online application?

No additional information is required upon submission of the application; however, shortlisted applicants may be asked to provide additional documentation as needed in the context of preparation for the Finale.

Is there a template for the written proposal? I would like to learn about the word limit and other requirements.

Your proposal should be described in no more than 1400 words, excluding title. Please see here the description of the structure that should guide your application, with indicative number of words per question: Title of Proposal – short title that indicates the subject of your proposal Which of the themes does the proposal address? – choose one of the five themes that applies to your proposal Background (max 250 words) – What is the value, what gap is being addressed? Defence Relevance (max 100 words) – How does your research contribute to NATO’s work on global security and stability? Is there a dual-use application* ( civil applications activities which could serve military purposes ? Scientific Objectives (max 200 words) – What is the question your research is trying to answer? What would be the goal/outcome of seeing your research being pursued? Scientific topics to be covered ? (max 350 words) – What scientific areas would your research include and be based on? What would your methodology be? Exploitation (max 350 words) - What would it require to conduct your research and what would be a realistic timeline? What would be the main challenges? Impact (max 150 words ) – What positive contribution would your research make to NATO’s mission success?)

What’s in it for me?

A unique experience to share your research ideas that impact global security with NATO leadership. All 12 finalists will receive formal recognition from the NATO Chief Scientist, and the three selected winners will receive the opportunity to visit the Centre for Maritime Research Experimentation (CMRE) in la Spezia, Italy. Finalists will also have the opportunity to join STEM Forward, a community that brings together professionals and experts from the STEM ecosystem for the benefit of scientific collaboration and enhancement of the NATO S&T knowledge base.

How long is the challenge?

The challenge has two parts. The call for applications will be open from 11 February 2025 to 11 March 2025. Twelve finalists will be chosen to present their ideas at the grand finale on 6 June 2025 at NATO HQ.

FAQs

Can my team participate?
How many participants are going to the finale?
Will I need to provide any additional information or documentation beyond the online application?
Is there a template for the written proposal? I would like to learn about the word limit and other requirements.
What’s in it for me?
How long is the challenge?

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