{"id":19328,"date":"2026-02-12T08:13:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T07:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsite.finki.ukim.mk\/events\/womengirls-in-science-stem-researcher-share-your-knowledge-with-nato\/"},"modified":"2026-06-12T09:50:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T07:50:28","slug":"womengirls-in-science-stem-researcher-share-your-knowledge-with-nato","status":"publish","type":"event","link":"https:\/\/finki.ukim.mk\/en\/events\/womengirls-in-science-stem-researcher-share-your-knowledge-with-nato\/","title":{"rendered":"Women &amp; Girls in Science \u2013 STEM researcher? Share your knowledge with NATO"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Join a challenge focused on making an impact in security and grow as a professional!<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<strong>NATO Science &amp; Technology Organization (STO)<\/strong>\u00a0is proud to announce the third edition of the Women &amp; Girls in Science (WGS) Challenge. This annual initiative aims to inspire young women to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by providing a platform for them to share innovative research ideas that impact global security and defense.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>About the challenge:<\/strong><br \/>\nThe WGS26 Challenge invites applications from young women who are university students (bachelor's, master's, PhD), early-career researchers, or simply interested in starting a career in STEM and\/or defense. Proposals should address one of five prescribed foresight scenarios, where a critical aspect of the modern world's resilience is being tested.<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>How to apply?<\/strong><br \/>\nApplicants must be young women aged 18-35, affiliated with a university, and nationals of NATO countries.<br \/>\nApplications must be submitted through the STO website (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sto.nato.int\/\">https:\/\/www.sto.nato.int\/<\/a>) guided by the following question: \u201cHow would your research idea provide a solution for one of the five fictional foresight scenarios?\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>What happens after applying?<\/strong><br \/>\nNATO STO experts will evaluate the proposals and select 12 finalists to present their proposals at the Grand Finale on June 9, 2026, at NATO Headquarters.<br \/>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Awards:<\/strong><br \/>\nIn addition to receiving formal recognition from the NATO Chief Scientist, the winners will gain access to an exceptional range of opportunities \u2014 including visits to the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation and entry into a community of world-class experts across the STO, NATO, and beyond.<br \/>\nAll information can be found on the STO website (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sto.nato.int\">https:\/\/www.sto.nato.int<\/a>) and any queries can be sent to <a href=\"mailto:info@natostowgs.com\">info@natostowgs.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Introducing the five scenarios<\/strong><br \/>\nThe five foresight scenarios explore fictional \u201cA Day Without\u2026\u201d disruptions that challenge key pillars of modern resilience. Each scenario envisions a sudden shock\u2014removing access to space, power, antibiotics, connectivity, or human presence on the ground\u2014to expose hidden dependencies and vulnerabilities. By outlining the situation, its impacts, and the core problem, these narratives support thinking about future risks and inspire research to strengthen NATO's preparedness.\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>A Day Without\u2026 Space<\/strong><br \/>\n\tA chain reaction in orbit disables most low-Earth-orbit satellites, severely disrupting communications and space-based monitoring. Global operations\u2014from defense to transportation and emergency services\u2014are disrupted. The challenge: develop systems that can function during space disruptions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A Day Without\u2026 Power<\/strong><br \/>\n\tA cascading grid failure causes a 24-hour blackout during extreme winter conditions. Heating, healthcare, communications, and transport are severely affected, creating military information gaps. The challenge: design decentralized, resilient energy and alternative power solutions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A Day Without\u2026 Antibiotics<\/strong><br \/>\n\tGeopolitical tensions halt supplies of key antibiotic ingredients, leaving several NATO nations unable to treat common infections. Health risks rise, food production is threatened, and public fear spreads. The challenge: accelerate antibiotic alternatives and strengthen biomedical supply chains.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A Day Without\u2026 Internet \/ Connectivity<\/strong><br \/>\n\tSubsea cable damage cuts major data routes, forcing traffic onto limited satellite systems. Digital services\u2014from banking to military operations\u2014stall. The challenge: improve subsea infrastructure resilience and maintain essential functions during connectivity loss.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A Day Without\u2026 Boots on the Ground<\/strong><br \/>\n\tExposure of a nuclear waste site makes human ground operations impossible due to radiation. All missions rely on autonomous systems. The challenge: develop robust robotic platforms capable of operating safely in extreme environments under remote human oversight.<\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"featured_media":18419,"template":"","tags":[],"class_list":["post-19328","event","type-event","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/finki.ukim.mk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event\/19328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/finki.ukim.mk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/finki.ukim.mk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/event"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finki.ukim.mk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18419"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/finki.ukim.mk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finki.ukim.mk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19328"}],"curies":[{"name":"WordPress","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}