Guide to Grants

Simple Guide to Grants: STSM, ITC Conference Grants, Virtual Mobility, Dissemination Conference

Note: This guide provides a brief overview of COST Action travel reimbursement rules. For full details, consult the COST Annotated Rules.

Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSM)

Objective: Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) aim to support individual mobility, enabling researchers to visit an institution or laboratory in another COST country. This exchange promotes collaboration and allows researchers to learn new techniques, access specific data, or conduct experiments not available in their home institution.

Eligibility:

  • Open to researchers, particularly Early Career Investigators (ECIs).
  • The host institution must be located in another COST country or a participating institution of a Near Neighbour Country (NNC).

Duration: STSMs typically last between 5 and 90 days.

Funding: A fixed grant is provided, covering travel, accommodation, and living expenses, based on the mission’s duration and destination.

Application Process:

  1. Find a host institution in a COST country.
  2. Submit your application through eCOST, providing a work plan, CV, and a support letter from the host institution.
  3. The STSM must be completed within the Action’s Grant Period.

Required Documents for Reimbursement:

  1. Final Scientific Report: Submitted within 30 days of the end of the STSM.
    • Report on the outcomes and benefits of the STSM.
  2. Travel Receipts: Include tickets, accommodation invoices, and other expenses.
  3. Signed Host Confirmation: A letter from the host institution confirming the completion of the STSM.

Important Notes for All Grants:

  • Each grant requires the submission of a final report upon completion of the activity.
  • All applications must be submitted and approved before the activity takes place.
  • Grants are subject to availability and approval from the COST Action’s Management Committee.

    ITC Conference Grants

    Objective: Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) Conference Grants are designed to support participants from ITC countries to attend international conferences. These grants aim to foster knowledge dissemination and networking opportunities for young researchers.

    Eligibility:

    • Open to researchers from ITC countries.
    • The conference must be related to the COST Action’s objectives.

    Funding: Covers conference fees, travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs.

    Application Process:

    1. Submit an application through the COST platform with details about the conference, abstract submission, and a supporting letter.
    2. The grant must be used for conferences within the Grant Period.

    Required Documents for Reimbursement:

    1. Final Report: Submitted within 30 days of the conference, including:
      • Summary of the presentation and how it relates to the COST Action.
      • Details on new contacts made and potential collaborations.
    2. Travel Receipts: Include flight tickets, accommodation invoices, and conference fee payment.
    3. Conference Certificate of Attendance: Document proving participation.

     

    Important Notes for All Grants:

    • Each grant requires the submission of a final report upon completion of the activity.
    • All applications must be submitted and approved before the activity takes place.
    • Grants are subject to availability and approval from the COST Action’s Management Committee.

    Virtual Mobility (VM) Grants

    Objective: Virtual Mobility (VM) Grants support online collaboration between researchers across different countries. These grants are ideal for fostering joint projects, creating digital tools, and facilitating training or educational sessions online.

    Eligibility:

    • Open to all Action participants.
    • VM Grants encourage innovative solutions to enhance remote collaboration.

    Activities Supported:

    • Development of online tools, such as shared databases or collaborative platforms.
    • Virtual training sessions or meetings.
    • Preparation of research publications or reports through virtual collaboration.

    Funding: A fixed grant is provided based on the proposed activities.

    Application Process:

    1. Submit a detailed plan of the virtual activities you intend to perform.
    2. Applications should be submitted through the COST platform before the start of the proposed activity.

    Required Documents for Reimbursement:

    1. Final Report: Submitted within 30 days of the end of the activity, including:
      • Description of the activities performed and their outcomes.
      • Links to virtual tools or platforms developed.
    2. Proof of Deliverables: Documentation showing the completion of virtual outputs (e.g., reports, publications, databases).

    Important Notes for All Grants:

    • Each grant requires the submission of a final report upon completion of the activity.
    • All applications must be submitted and approved before the activity takes place.
    • Grants are subject to availability and approval from the COST Action’s Management Committee.

    Dissemination Conference Grants

    Objective: Dissemination Conference Grants enable researchers to present the work of the COST Action at high-level international conferences. The goal is to increase the visibility of the COST Action and the presenter, to attract additional participants and stakeholders, and  to disseminate Action results to relevant end-users.

    Eligibility:

    • Open to all Action participants.
    • The conference must have a direct link to the Action’s objectives.

    Funding: Covers conference fees, travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs.

    Application Process:

    1. Submit an application with a description of the conference, the relevance to the COST Action, and the abstract you plan to present.
    2. The conference should take place within the Grant Period.

    Required Documents for Reimbursement:

    1. Final Report: Submitted within 30 days of the conference, summarizing:
      • Presentation details and its relevance to the COST Action.
      • Networking opportunities and future collaborations.
    2. Travel Receipts: Including tickets, accommodation invoices, and conference fee receipts.
    3. Conference Certificate of Attendance: Proof of participation in the event.

     

    Important Notes for All Grants:

    • Each grant requires the submission of a final report upon completion of the activity.
    • All applications must be submitted and approved before the activity takes place.
    • Grants are subject to availability and approval from the COST Action’s Management Committee.