COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)
COST Action Open Call
Continuous open call with two collection dates per year (spring and autumn). Proposals submitted after a collection date are retained for the next.
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COST Action Open Call funds coordination and networking activities, such as workshops, training schools, short-term scientific missions, and publications, for research networks spanning at least seven European member states. The call is open continuously with spring and autumn submission deadlines, and welcomes applicants from academia, public institutions, SMEs, and industry at any career stage. At least 50% of participating countries must come from the Inclusiveness Target Countries list, ensuring equitable research capacity building across Europe.
Details
| Funder | COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) |
| Budget | ~€134k/year |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Consortium | Required — minimum 7 COST member states, ≥50% from Inclusiveness Target Countries |
| Application | Single stage — electronic submission via COST website |
| Frequency | Continuous |
Eligibility & scope
Funds coordination/networking activities (meetings, workshops, short-term scientific missions, training schools, publications) — NOT the underlying research. Open to all actor types (academia, public institutions, SMEs, companies) and career stages. Proposal submitted by a Main Proposer on behalf of a network from ≥7 COST countries, with ≥50% from Inclusiveness Target Countries. Flemish applicants supported by FWO.
Who Should Apply
- •Networks spanning at least 7 COST member states, with ≥50% from Inclusiveness Target Countries
- •Research groups, institutions, companies, or SMEs seeking to coordinate activities rather than fund primary research
- •Proposers ready to lead multinational partnerships on a single coherent research theme
- •Networks planning meetings, workshops, training schools, short-term scientific missions, or collaborative publications
- •Applicants from all career stages and scientific disciplines
Key Dates
- •Continuous open call with collection deadlines in spring and autumn (verify exact dates on COST website)
- •Single-stage electronic submission via the COST portal
- •Four-year Action duration
Tips for Applicants
- ✓The Inclusiveness Target Country threshold is non-negotiable: at least 50% of participating countries must be from the COST Inclusiveness Target Countries list; building a network without this distribution will cause rejection at triage.
- ✓COST funds networking, not research itself, emphasise coordination structure, training outcomes, and knowledge dissemination over new data generation or discovery claims.
- ✓Submit well before a collection deadline; proposals received after the closing date are held for the next round, delaying feedback by up to six months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use COST Action funding for?
COST funds coordination activities including workshops, meetings, training schools, short-term scientific missions, and publication of collaborative outputs, not the underlying research itself.
How much does a COST Action cost?
Approximately €134,000 per year over four years; the total depends on the scope and number of participating countries.
How many countries must participate in a COST Action?
A minimum of 7 COST member states must be involved, with at least 50% of participating countries from the COST Inclusiveness Target Countries list.
When can I submit a COST Action proposal?
The call is continuous with collection deadlines in spring and autumn; proposals submitted after a deadline are held for the next collection round.
Can companies or SMEs lead a COST Action?
Yes, COST welcomes Main Proposers and participants from academia, public institutions, SMEs, and industry across all career stages.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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