European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) is an intergovernmental initiative that stimulates innovative and interdisciplinary scientific networks in Europe. COST networks – known as Actions – are centred on nationally-funded research projects in fields that are of interest to at least five COST countries. COST creates synergies with other contributors to the European Research Area and covers basic and pre-competitive research as part of the Lisbon objectives.
COST Open Call
A continuous COST Open Call to attract the best proposals for new COST Actions is used. The continuous call is thematically open and proposals playing a precursor role for other European programmes and/or initiated by early-stage researchers are particularly welcome.
Proposers are invited to locate their topic within one Domain. Interdisciplinary proposals not fitting readily into a single Domain are also welcome.
Proposals are assessed in two stages. Preliminary Proposals, consisting of a brief overview and an impact description, are checked for eligibility first and, when eligible, assessed by the relevant Domain Committee against the published criteria. The top ranked Preliminary Proposals are then invited to submit a Full Proposal, which is peer reviewed according to the published assessment criteria. The time between the collection date and the approval of the best Full Proposals by the COST CSO is approximately 9 months.
COST Actions
Every COST Action has an objective, defined goals and clear deliverables. They achieve results through network building activities.
COST funding covers the coordination costs associated with organising and attending meetings, workshops and conferences; short-term scientific missions as well as publications and other dissemination activities. The research activities themselves (staff, infrastructure etc) are supported through national funds and are not supported by COST. The financial support averages €100,000 per year for a four-year period.
Currently, there are more than 200 Actions and every year about 50 new Actions are approved.
Collection dates are announced on the COST Website.
Continuous Open Call
Next collection dates: 27 March and 25 September 2009
For further information: http://www.cost.esf.org
