In 2005, the allies decided to establish the NATO Manfred Wörner Fellowship in honour of former Secretary General Manfred Wörner, who advocated the transformation of the Alliance, the extending of relations with Central and Eastern European countries, and the promotion of principles and image of the transatlantic partnership; two yearly essay awards are presented:

• The Junior NATO Manfred Wörner Essay Award amounting to EUR 5,000.

The award is open to junior students and researchers from both NATO and Partner countries, aged between 20 and 35. The essay should not exceed 5,000 words.

• The Senior NATO Manfred Wörner Essay Award amounting to EUR 10,000.

The award is open to academics, students and researchers from both NATO and Partner countries, aged 35 years and older.

Research projects include the following areas:

• NATO – a guarantee of stability in the Euro-Atlantic region;
• NATO’s peace support operations and missions;
• Developments related to the challenges of terrorism and NATO's role in combating terrorism;
• the transatlantic link and the development of the European Security and Defence Identity;
• NATO's role in the field of conflict prevention and crisis management as well as the Alliance's policy on civil emergency planning and disaster preparedness;
• NATO’s regional cooperation and outreach, in particular the Mediterranean Dialogue and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, NATO's South East Europe Initiative, NATO's outreach policies towards the Caucasus and Central Asia and NATO’s relations to non-NATO countries;
• Relations between NATO and other international and non-governmental organisations;
• NATO’s relations with partner countries, the development of the Partnership for Peace and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council;
• NATO’s policy and objectives of defence, arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction;
• NATO’s military transformation process, including the role of ACT and NATO Response Force.

Detailed information concerning the Manfred Wörner Awards may be found at: www.nato.int/structur/sponsorships.htm