Page Updated: 23-Sep-2007

Introduction

The Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Committee is the primary NATO committee supporting practical cooperation in civil science and
innovation. This new organization oversees a programme which contributes to NATO’s mission by linking science to society through projects conducted under well-established procedures. It focuses on security, environmental sustainability and other defined priorities of its Partner nations. The SPS Programme enables NATO to demonstrate its commitment to practical, visible projects with tangible output.

The aim of the Science for Peace and Security Programme is to contribute to security, stability and solidarity among nations, by applying the best technical expertise to problem solving. Collaboration, networking and capacity-building are means used to accomplish this end. A further aim is to facilitate continued democratic growth and support economic development in NATO's Partner countries.

Civil science has proved to be a highly effective vehicle for international dialogue, due to its universality and dependence upon international networks. The talent garnered in these scientific networks can be applied to emerging threats faced by the Alliance. Science is both a means of finding answers to critical questions and a way of connecting nations.

The Security Science Forum plays a horizon-scanning role in identifying emerging security-related science issues relevant to NATO missions and goals, and advises the SPS Committee accordingly for future activities. The SPS Committee in turn advises the Council and other NATO bodies as appropriate.

The Committee provides a unique forum for the sharing of knowledge and experience on technical, scientific and policy aspects of social and environmental matters in both the civilian and military sectors among NATO and EAPC Partner countries.

The SPS programme includes activities funded directly by NATO, as well as nationally funded SPS activities.In the former case, the activities are based either on applications submitted by individual specialists or on proposals developed by the SPS Secretariat or the Advisory Panels. In the latter case they are based on proposals submitted by nations.

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