The Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence (JCBRN Defence COE) plays a critical role in enhancing NATO’s ability to deter and respond to CBRN threats. As a unique contributor to the Alliance, the Centre provides technical and scientific support to Allied Command Operations and other NATO Command Structure elements. Its expertise spans four core pillars: Education and Training, Doctrine Development and Standardization, Concept Development and Experimentation, and Analysis and Lessons Learned. Through these functions, the Centre ensures NATO and its partners are well-equipped to address the complexities of the modern threat landscape.
Driving Innovation Through Capability Development
In response to a rapidly evolving security environment, the Centre continues to modernize its approach, not only by refining capabilities but also by embedding innovation as a foundational principle. This cultural shift enables greater responsiveness to emergent challenges and ensures that sponsoring nations and NATO partners benefit from the latest advances in CBRN defence. By fostering deeper engagement across the CBRN community and attracting top-tier talent (particularly through its competitive internship programme) the Centre remains a dynamic and forward-leaning organization.
Empowering Future Leaders Through Project Mercury
To reinforce this innovation-driven approach, the Centre has actively participated in NATO’s Project Mercury, a leadership development initiative designed to embed innovative practices across the Alliance. Over the 12-week programme, participants explored techniques including horizon scanning, advanced research methods, stakeholder engagement, and creative problem-solving. One practical outcome of this involvement was a tool for improving duty travel management. It was developed with input from the JCBRN Centre of Excellence and later showcased at the 2025 NATO Open Innovation Conference and Expo, demonstrating the real-world value of innovation leadership within NATO structures.
Advancing the Field Through Multidisciplinary Research
The Centre continues to position itself as a research hub, exploring the intersection of CBRN defence with a range of emerging challenges. Recent studies have examined the implications of uncrewed systems, hybrid threats, and the role of misinformation and disinformation in crisis scenarios. This body of work reflects a deliberate blend of civilian and military expertise, combining insights from staff across NATO member nations. The Centre’s research output has earned recognition across the broader CBRN community, with findings featured at events such as CBRNe Convergence Europe and the upcoming JCBRN Defence Centre of Excellence Annual Conference in Brno, Czech Republic in October.
Maintaining Momentum as an Innovation Hub
Through its work on Project Mercury, its ongoing research, and its focus on capability development, the JCBRN Defence Centre of Excellence has established itself as a leading driver of CBRN defence innovation. Its forward-leaning posture and commitment to collaboration will remain essential as NATO prepares to confront increasingly complex and unpredictable threats in the years ahead.
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