Eligibility: The competition is open to nationals of countries across the Middle East and Africa currently enrolled in university, studying for their Master’s degree or PhD.
What: To enter, participants must submit a research essay of up to 3,000 words (excluding references) in English addressing one of the following topics:
- Food security
- Human security
- AI and emerging technologies
- Climate change
- Energy transitions
- Transnational terrorism
The essay should be guided by the following question: What role can NATO have in addressing this shared challenge in the Middle East and Africa? The essays should aim at providing concrete proposals to solve an existing issue or prevent the emergence of a new security challenge.
Following the initial application registration step on our website, you will receive an email with instructions on how to submit your essay, including style/formatting considerations. You must also submit a one-page CV.
Submissions deadline: Entries must be submitted by 15 July 2024, 23:59 CET. NATO shall not be responsible for entries received after the deadline.
Award: The three selected winners will be invited to participate in a study day workshop at NSD-S Hub in the Joint Force Command Naples (JFCNP) in mid-October 2024 to present and discuss their essays, as well as to have an opportunity to meet with NATO researchers and staff. The NSD-S Hub/JFCNP will cover reasonable travel, accommodation and subsistence costs.
The workshop will also include a ceremony where the NSD-S Hub Director Brigadier General Aydin Kilic and the Deputy Director Colonel Giovanni Iodice, as well as the UNIMED Director Marcello Scalisi, will award each of the participants a Certificate of Recognition. Moreover, the winners will have the opportunity to have their essays published on the NSD-S Hub website and social media channels.
Selection procedure:
- NSD-S Hub experts will review and select the three best research essays based on the criteria of novelty, coherence, relevance and impact.
- Scores will be allocated based on each of these criteria and the winners will be those with the highest three scores.
- The selected participants will be contacted directly via email no later than 30 September 2024. Please note that the individuals will be asked to provide proof of identity/nationality and ongoing studies/university enrolment to verify their eligibility.
- If for any reason you cannot attend in person the workshop in mid-October 2024, you must inform us as soon as possible. We reserve the right to select another candidate in these circumstances, as well as for candidates who do not meet the required eligibility criteria.
The selection decisions of the NSD-S Hub shall be final, and no discussion shall be entertained.
Any enquires can be directed to NSD-SHUBEssayCompetition@jfcnp.nato.int.
Timeline:
Rights Granted:
- You understand and agree that by entering this competition:You agree to participate in photo/video opportunities to publicise winners and the competition and further that your image and likeness may be published on NATO websites and social media.
- You understand and agree that once provided to the NSD-S Hub, the essays will belong to NATO, which is therefore authorized to use it for its own research purposes.
- You understand that we may publish your essays on internal and public facing NATO websites and social media but have no obligation to do so.
- You agree that if we consider editorial action is needed on your essay prior to publication on any NATO website or portal, we are permitted to make such edits subject to your final editorial approval. We reserve the right not to publish any or all of the essays.
- You agree that no alternative prize shall be offered if winners are not able to attend the study day workshop.
- Finally, you understand that no monetary prizes will be paid, nor other prizes, if not those described above.