COST: from Policy to Practice Antoine Mercier, Research Grant Team Leader, University of Bedfordshire, former French CNC

The University of Bedfordshire University of Bedfordshire2

The University at a glance Our mission We create a vibrant multi-cultural learning community enabling people to transform their lives by participating in excellent, innovative education, scholarship and research. More than 24,000 students from over 100 countries worldwide 92% of graduates are in work and/or further study within six months of completing their studies University of Bedfordshire3

At a glance: Research 10 Research Institutes, 400 post-graduate research students and a dynamic academic community generating £10M knowledge exchange activity, including Business and Management Research Institute (BMRI) Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Science and Technology (iBEST) Institute for Research in Applicable Computing (IRAC) Institute of Applied Social Research (IASR)

University of Bedfordshire5 At a glance: Research REF 2014 results Nearly half of our research is considered world leading or internationally excellent We have world leading research in 9 units of assessment up from 5 in 2008 We have more than doubled our proportion of world-leading research Number of staff judged to be world-leading or internationally excellent in research outputs has quadrupled.  Need to think about the REF2020

Why COST is so important? University of Bedfordshire6

7 Basic principles Bottom up Give opportunities to new fields or interdisciplinary networks Openness A growing network over 4 years Young researchers Next generation of leaders Inclusiveness Collaboration with emerging teams

University of Bedfordshire8 Main facts as French CNC/CSO Funding research and funding sharing of knowledge Structuring effect of large scale networks Seeds for future (research) projects Complementarities with national funding Research Networks

COST in the University University of Bedfordshire9

10 Implementation in the University Few participations in COST Actions New impetus to increase research activities COST considered as a step towards making new and long lasting partnerships at European scale

University of Bedfordshire11 Implementation in the University Look for potential candidates/leaders As central service, it is vital to know the research community Monitor the results of COST open call To promote existing networks Encourage participation in proposals Training sessions for academics Learning by doing Support in the submission process

Thank you! Antoine Mercier, Research Grant Team Leader, University of Bedfordshire, former French CNC