The Atlantic Security Award is a joint initiative of the Luso-American Foundation for Development (FLAD), the Atlantic Centre and the National Defence Institute (IDN), aimed at supporting researchers in the area of Security and Defence in the Atlantic.
Atlantic Security Award 2026: Call is open!
Applications for the 5th edition of the Atlantic Security Award are open from March 19th to May 8th, 2026.
Each of the two selected researchers will receive a grant of 15 thousand euros to develop projects of excellence in the area of Security and Defence in the Atlantic, over a period of eight months. The projects must address critical and innovative issues, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and the formulation of effective policies in the Atlantic region.
Reference Topics :
- Impact of public policies on Atlantic security and defense;
- The nexus between environment, security, and development;
- Transnational threats to the Atlantic space;
- Exercise of sovereignty and capacity-building in the maritime domain;
- Security cooperation and competition dynamics, from the local to the global level;
- Maritime security, ocean governance and the security of ocean infrastructure.
(projects on topics not included in the list will also be accepted)
Eligibility Criteria:
- The applicant must hold a PhD, or equivalent degree, for no longer than 10 years.
- Maternity or paternity will be considered in calculating this limit (18 months per child born after obtaining the degree);
- Research proposals must fall within the category of Security and Defence in the Atlantic;
- Evidence of independent research of high scientific quality.
Calendar:
Application period: March 19th to May 8th, 2026, 11:59 PM (Continental Portugal Time, UTC)
Notification of applicants: until June 15th, 2026
Jury:
Francisco Proença Garcia, Professor at IEP Católica
Bernardo Calheiros, Atlantic Centre
Patrícia Daehnhardt, Advisor at the National Defence Institute
Please review all the information here (a thorough reading of the Competition Guide is essential)
