The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) invites researchers throughout Europe to submit proposals for research networks and use this unique opportunity to exchange knowledge, to develop jointly their ideas and new initiatives in a field or topic of common interest,

What are COST Actions?

COST Actions are bottom-up science and technology networks, open to researchers and stakeholders with a duration of four years. They are active through a range of networking tools, such as workshops, conferences, training schools, short-term scientific missions (STSMs), and dissemination activities. COST does not fund research itself.

COST prides in its support for high-risk, innovative and emerging research themes. However, COST does not set any research priorities.

COST Actions can also pave the way to or establish synergies with EU-funded research projects. Moreover, collaboration within research projects can also lead to new Actions, thus enhancing the networking potential of such consortia.

Who can participate?

Participation is open to researchers:

- in universities, research centres, large and small, public and private organisations from all 35 COST Member Countries and its Cooperating State

- from any science and technology field

- at any career stage

- having any original, innovative idea

Particular emphasis is placed on the COST “inclusiveness” countries ensuring the aim of widening participation.

Researchers from Near Neighbour Countries and International Partner Countries can also participate in a COST Action on the basis of ascertained mutual benefit. You may refer to the COST Implemenation Rules outlining conditions for participating in and setting up COST Actions.

Elegibility

- Represent a network of proposers from at least 5 COST Member Countries and/ or Cooperating State with researchers, engineers or scholars having a registered e-COST profile

- Be coordinated by a Main Proposer from a COST Member Country or Cooperating State

- Be anonymous, hence not contain any reference to the names and/or institutions of the participants in the network of proposers

- Address science and technology challenges destined only for peaceful purposes

- Respect word or page limits (15 pages for the Technical Annex) as described in the SESA Guidelines

- Be written in English, the working language of the COST Association

- Not be identical with another submitted proposal

Duration: 4 years.

Funding: COST does not fund research itslef, but supports networking activities such as meetings, conferences, short term scientific exchanges and outreach activities. The support will cover the costs of networking activities such as meetings (e.g. travel, subsistence, local organiser support), conferences, workshops, short-term scientific exchanges, training schools, publications and dissemination activities. Financial support in the range of 130.000 euros per year can be expected.

Deadlines:

The Open Call is a one-stage submission process where proposals may be submitted at any time using a dedicated secured online tool (eCOST). There is no deadline, as the Call never closes, but works around two collection dates per year (spring & autumn Collection). Proposals are gathered at a Collection Date, those submitted after that date will be considered for the upcoming collection. Login and proposal data are only valid during one collection and are not transferable to the following collection.

Further information: COST 2015