Introduction

COST (CO-operation in Science and Technology) is a pan-European intergovernmental frameworkdedicated to science and technology networking activities aiming at allowing their participants tojointly develop their ideas and new initiatives across all scientific disciplines. COST mission is toenable breakthrough scientific developments leading to new concepts, services and products andthereby contributing to strengthening European research and innovation capacities. In order toachieve its mission, COST endeavors to: build capacity by connecting high-quality scientificcommunities in Europe and worldwide; provide networking opportunities for Early StageResearchers and increase research impact on policy makers, regulatory bodies and national decisionmakers as well as on the private sector.

Objective of the call

The objective of the call is to enhance the scientific, technological or social excellence andtransparency of COST through an accessible bottom-up opportunity. Proposals must contribute tothe scientific, technological, economic, cultural or societal knowledge advancement anddevelopment of Europe to close the gap between science, policy makers and society. The call istransversal and open to ideas in all fields of Science and Technology and foster multi- andinterdisciplinary projects, aiming to enable breakthrough scientific developments leading to newconcepts and products.

Eligible activities

The COST projects are implemented through a series of networking tools, such as:- Meetings (i.e. Management Committee meetings, Working Group meetings);- Training Schools;- Short-Term Scientific Missions;- Dissemination.

Eligible applicants

COST Actions are open to researchers, engineers and scholars who are affiliated to a university,research centre, company or other relevant public and private organization located in one of the 37COST Member States or in any of the Near Neighbour Countries (NNCs) or International PartnerCountries (IPCs). The participation of researchers from less research-intensive countries acrossEurope is required: these countries are denominated Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC), beingeither an EU Member State or Associated Country to Horizon 2020. The complete list of thesecategories of countries is available in the call guidelines.

Partnership criteria

The Network must include at least 7 proposers affiliated to entities located in at least 7 differentCOST Full or Cooperating Members. At least 50% of the proposers must be from COSTInclusiveness Target Countries, following the scheme detailed in the annex to the call. There can bemore than one proposer per institution.

Funding

The financial support averages 130.000 euro per year.

Projects duration

4 years

More information at

http://www.cost.eu/participate/open_call