Call for proposals for European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST)

The European Commission has published a call for proposals for European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST).

Developing stronger links amongst European researchers is crucial to building the European Research Area (ERA). COST stimulates new, innovative, interdisciplinary and broad research networks in Europe. COST activities are carried out by research teams to strengthen the foundations for building scientific excellence in Europe.

Call for Proposals (Open call)

COST invites proposals for Actions contributing to the scientific, technological, economic, cultural or societal development of Europe. Proposals playing a precursor role for other European programmes and/or initiated by early-stage researchers are especially welcome.

Topics

COST is organised in nine broad Domains. Applicants are invited to locate their topic within one domain. However, inter-disciplinary proposals not fitting readily into a single domain are particularly welcome and will be assessed separately.

  • Biomedicine and Molecular Biosciences
  • Chemistry and Molecular Sciences and Technologies
  • Earth System Science and Environmental Management
  • Food and Agriculture
  • Forests, their Products and Services
  • Individuals, Societies, Cultures and Health
  • Information and Communication Technologies
  • Materials, Physics and Nanosciences
  • Transport and Urban Development

Proposals should include researchers from a minimum of five COST countries.

Financial support for an Action of 19 participating countries is in the range of EUR 130 000 p.a. for normally four years, subject to available budget.

Procedure

Proposals will be assessed in two stages.

  1. Preliminary proposals (maximum 1 500 words/3 pages), submitted using the on-line template  (please find it <<here<<) should provide a brief overview of the proposal and its intended impact. Eligible proposals will be assessed by the relevant Domain Committees. Applicants of selected preliminary proposals will be invited to submit a full proposal.
  2. Full proposals will be peer reviewed according to the assessment criteria at http://www.cost.eu/opencall. The decision will normally be taken within six months of the collection date and the Actions should expect to start within three months thereafter.

Important dates and Information

  • The collection date for preliminary proposals is 28 September 2012, 17:00 Brussels time.
  • Full proposals will be invited by 23 November 2012 for submission by 25 January 2013, with decisions expected in May 2013.
For further information and registration, please visit the website http://www.cost.eu/participate/open_call