COE Branch in 2025

The COE Branch introduced significant changes to previous HQ SACT coordination mechanisms and responsibilities with the NATO-accredited Centres of Excellence. This year confirmed the effectiveness of a more centralized and coherent strategic direction and guidance to the COEs and to ensure a better understanding of NATO priorities and requirements.

 Within MDFD, the ‘COE Branch’ continues its efforts to streamline the Request for Support (RfS) tool and develops online tutorials for the larger NATO audience. It also provides the overall coordination and synchronization with the COEs, supported by assigned staff level ACT ‘Subject Matter Experts’ (SMEs), who deliver functional coordination and content expertise for COEs activities.

At this point, the branch organized the annual COE Directors Conference, a bi-annual COE Marketplace at NATO HQ, planned in 2026 , the publication of an Annual COE Report to the MC and this present 2026 COE Catalogue. The yearly process to ensure a consistent and efficient channel of communication with the COEs is clearly established. In 2025 COE Branch was actively involved in various conferences, events, virtual symposiums, and online meetings. These efforts encompassed conveying directives during assemblies held between the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, ACT Flag & General Officers, and COE Directors. This comprehensive approach extended down to the operational level, including efforts focused on the four pillars, communications, and the Programmes of Work.

COE Branch leads and coordinates the development and NATO accreditation of new COEs, keeping in line with the primary objective witch is to put under the NATO spotlight all COEs to highlight the possibilities and deliverable of the 30 COEs. COE Branch also conducts Periodic Assessments of all NATO-accredited COEs, as mandated by the MC. Additionally, the COE Branch, in coordination with SHAPE and NATO HQ Defence Investment, developed a List of Areas for Potential Future COEs. This list serves as a guidance document for Allies for the development of NATO-accredited COEs.

In 2025, the COE Branch implemented significant improvements to the coordination framework between HQ SACT and the NATO-accredited Centres of Excellence (COEs), reinforcing a more centralized and strategically coherent approach.

This year reaffirmed the value of clear, unified strategic guidance to the COEs, ensuring alignment with NATO’s evolving priorities and operational requirements. This enhanced coordination has resulted in greater clarity of purpose, increased responsiveness, and a stronger sense of direction across the network.

Within the Multi-Domain Force Development (MDFD) Directorate, the COE Branch continues to refine the Request for Support (RfS) tool, making it more accessible and userfriendly. To further support the broader NATO community, CPD also developed online tutorials and guidance materials. Functional coordination is reinforced by ACT-assigned Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), who provide expertise and continuity across COE activities.

COE Branch also led the review of the two foundation documents for NATO-accredited COEs: The MC Policy for COEs and MC Assessment Criteria, both merged into one and awaiting final approval by the MC. Throughout 2025, CPD successfully delivered several key initiatives:

A key responsibility of the COE Branch remains the coordination and support for the development and NATO accreditation of new COEs. This includes promoting the visibility and capabilities of all 30 NATO-accredited Centres and reinforcing their value to the Alliance.

In 2025, the COE Branch successfully conducted eleven Periodic Assessments (PAs), primarily through on-site visits. These face-to-face engagements with COE Directors and staff offered valuable insight into the specific challenges, limitations, and opportunities faced by each Centre. They also helped to strengthen mutual understanding and foster deeper collaboration between the COEs and HQ SACT.

These assessments play a vital role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement within the COE network—reinforcing NATO’s collective effectiveness, adaptability and synchronization of efforts.