COST Open Call for Proposals to Support European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research
Date: 2006-04-21
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: COST, invitation to tender, project evaluation

21.4.2006

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 93/1

I

(Information)

COUNCIL

COST Open Call for Proposals to Support European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and
Technical Research

(2006/C 93/01)

The COST Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) at its 164th meeting on 29/30 March 2006 agreed to
launch the following Open Call for Proposal to Support European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and
Technical Research (1):

COST Open Call for Proposals to Support European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and
Technical Research

COST brings together research teams in different countries working on specific topics.
finances
networking of nationally funded activities in supporting meetings, conferences, short term scientific
exchanges and outreach activities. COST therefore does NOT fund research itself. Currently more than 200
scientific networks (Actions) are supported. Every year approximately 45 new Actions are approved and
started.

It

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

innovative,

COST invites proposals for Actions contributing to the scientific, economic, cultural or societal develop-
ment of Europe. Proposals playing a precursor role for other European programmes and/or involving
young groups' ideas are especially welcome.

COST is organised in nine scientific and technical Domains (Biomedicine and Molecular Biosciences; Chem-
istry and Molecular Sciences and Technologies; Earth System Science and Environmental Management;
Food and Agriculture, Forests, their Products and Services; Individuals, Society, Culture and Health; Infor-
mation and Communication Technologies; Materials, Physical and Nanosciences; Transport and Urban
Development).

Proponents are invited to indicate their preference for one Domain. Proposals not fitting this broad disci-
plinary structure are also welcome and will be assessed separately.

Proposals should include researchers from a minimum of five COST member states and should network
nationally funded research activities. Their work plan should include no more than four targeted Working
Groups and include activities such as meetings, short term scientific missions, work shops, conferences and
outreach activities. On average financial support of some EUR 90 000 p.a. as grant for up to 4 years can
be expected.

(1) COST is the oldest and widest European intergovernmental networking for cooperation in research, currently

covering 34 European States and 1 co-operating State.

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A two stage process will be followed to assess proposals. Preliminary Proposals (maximum 1500 words/3
pages), submitted using the on-line template at www.cost.esf.org/open_call should provide a brief overview
of the proposal and its impact. Proposals will be screened for eligibility. Proposals not conforming to the
eligibility criteria of COST (e.g. requesting research funding) will be excluded. A pre-selection will rank the
remaining Preliminary Proposals of which some 75 per collection date will be invited to submit a Full
Proposal. These will be peer reviewed according to the assessment criteria which can be found at
www.cost.esf.org/open_call. The decision will normally be taken within six months of the collection date
below and the Actions should expect to start about six weeks thereafter.

The first collection date for Preliminary Proposals is 31 May 2006. Full Proposals will be invited by 30
June 2006 for submission by 15 September 2006. The next collection date is expected to be 30 March
2007

Proponents may wish to contact their national COST Coordinator (CNC) for information and guidance.
Proposals must be submitted on-line to the COST Office web site. For details including the criteria, a
list of COST Member States and contact details for the COST National Coordinators see www.cost.esf.org/
cnc.

COST receives financial support for its coordinating activities from the EU RTD Framework Programme.
The COST Office, established by the European Science Foundation (ESF), acting as the implementing agent
for COST during the 6th FP on RTD, provides the scientific secretariat for COST activities.

All grants to be offered in response to this call are subject to COST being awarded funds from the seventh
RTD Framework Programme.