# COST Open Call 2026

**Funder:** COST Association
**Budget:** Funds networking for a COST Action; the 2026 call pages state no amount
**Deadline:** 28 October 2026 (Collection date 28 October 2026, 12:00 noon CET; open for submissions since 31 July 2026)
**Consortium:** Required: proposers from at least seven COST Member countries, at least 50% from Inclusiveness Target Countries and at least 40% Young Researchers and Innovators
**Application:** Single stage: one-step proposal via e-COST
**Frequency:** Annual
**Official call:** https://www.cost.eu/funding/open-call-a-simple-one-step-application-process/
**Last updated:** 25 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

COST funds research networks (COST Actions) on any topic, bottom-up, rather than research costs. The 2026 Open Call will fund up to 80 Actions.

## Summary

The COST Open Call 2026 funds networking for research groups across Europe and beyond, covering meetings, training schools and short exchanges rather than research costs directly, through COST Actions on any topic. Proposals are bottom-up and open to any field, submitted by a consortium spanning at least seven COST Member countries, with at least half from Inclusiveness Target Countries and 40% Young Researchers and Innovators. COST will fund up to 80 Actions from this round.

## Who should apply

- Researchers able to coordinate a multi-country network proposal
- Consortia spanning at least seven COST Member countries
- Teams including Young Researchers and Innovators (40% target)
- Groups with strong representation from Inclusiveness Target Countries
- Any research topic, proposed bottom-up rather than pre-defined

## Key dates

- Deadline: 28 October 2026, 12:00 noon CET
- Open for submissions since 31 July 2026
- Single-stage submission via e-COST

## Tips for applicants

- The 50% Inclusiveness Target Country and 40% Young Researcher and Innovator quotas are gating, build the consortium around these targets from the start, not as an afterthought.
- COST funds networking activities, not research itself; frame the proposal around meetings, training schools and exchanges rather than experiments or data collection.
- With up to 80 Actions funded annually, use the bottom-up format to pick a distinct, clearly scoped network topic rather than competing in an oversubscribed theme.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the COST Open Call 2026 fund?

The 2026 call pages do not state a specific amount; COST Actions fund networking activities rather than direct research costs.

### Who can apply to the COST Open Call?

Proposers from at least seven COST Member countries, with at least 50% from Inclusiveness Target Countries and 40% Young Researchers and Innovators.

### What is the deadline for the COST Open Call 2026?

28 October 2026 at 12:00 noon CET.

### Is the COST Open Call application single or multi-stage?

It is a single-stage, one-step proposal submitted via e-COST.

### How many Actions will the 2026 Open Call fund?

Up to 80 Actions.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/cost-association-cost-open-call-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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