The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) launches annual calls to fund interdisciplinary research networks (COST Actions) involving researchers, innovators & other professionals that are interested in investigating a topic of their choice for 4 years.
Min. 7 participants from 7 different COST Member States, 50% of which must be a “widening country". Participants can apply at any stage of their career. Swiss-based scientists are fully eligible.
COST Actions cover the expenses of networking activities such as meetings, short mobilities, organization of training schools, communication, grant to attend conferences organized by third parties. Research-related costs are not eligible. Average grant for a 4-year action is around 600.000 EUR.
The evaluation follows a three-steps process: 1. evaluation by independent external experts; 2. revision and quality check by review panels; 3. selection by the COST Scientific Committee. Up to 70 new COST Actions are expected to be approved. Results should be out by May 2026.
Proposals are given a mark from 0-5 based on the following criteria: 1. excellence in science, technology & networking; 2. impact; 3. implementation. Proposals failing to achieve the threshold (3 of 5) in the first or second criterion shall not be funded.
It is also possible to join a running COST Action. To do so, we recommend that you first contact participants already involved in the Action for further information about the planned activities. The COST website features a database of all COST Actions with a short description and contact details.
The SNSF opens yearly calls for COST Projects associated with recently approved COST Actions. Swiss-based researchers, who are participating or willing to join a COST Action, can get funding from the SNSF to conduct a research project, for up to 4years, related to the COST Action in Switzerland.
