COST European COoperation in Science and Technology COST European COoperation in Science and Technology Belspo, 14 March 2014 Benjamin MONNOYE, Attaché Directorate of scientific research DG non-compulsory education and scientific research Ministry of the Federation Wallonia-Brussels

COST main characteristics Founded in 1971 Founded in 1971 Intergovernmental initiative Intergovernmental initiative FP7 budget : EUR 250 Mio (EU Commission) FP7 budget : EUR 250 Mio (EU Commission) supporting cooperation among scientists and researchers all fields of research via coordination of nationally-funded research on a European level supporting cooperation among scientists and researchers all fields of research via coordination of nationally-funded research on a European level 1 Instrument: COST Action (4 year network - min.5 COST countries) 1 Instrument: COST Action (4 year network - min.5 COST countries) § +/- 300 Running Action § +/- 300 Running Action average funding about € per year per Action average funding about € per year per Action “Bottom-up” – no fixed programmes / priorities “Bottom-up” – no fixed programmes / priorities Focus on multidisciplinary cooperation Focus on multidisciplinary cooperation Promotion of Early Stage Researchers Promotion of Early Stage Researchers

36 COST Countries The 28 EU Member States The 28 EU Member States Acceding & Candidate Countries - FYR of Macedonia (FYROM) Acceding & Candidate Countries - FYR of Macedonia (FYROM) - Iceland - Republic of Serbia - Turkey Other Countries - Bosnia and Herzegovina Other Countries - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Norway - Switzerland COST Co-operating States - Israel COST Co-operating States - Israel

What is a COST Action? COMMITTEE OF SENIOR OFFICIALS (CSO) COST National Coordinators F&A …… ….. …….. WORKING GROUPS …… ~ researchers Scientific Domain ……. Council COST Secretariat Action WGs MC 10 COST Domain Committees COST Actions (200+)

What is funded by COST? COST ActionsCOST Actions: A network of (nationally) funded projects (min. 5 participating countries) receive a financial contribution based on a joint work programme (4 years) for: – Science management / working group meetings – Scientific workshops and seminars – Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) – Training Schools and Research Conferences – Dissemination

How COST works ? How to introduce a COST Action How to introduce a COST Action Assessment of Action proposals Assessment of Action proposals How to join an Action How to join an Action

How to Introduce a COST Action proposal Open call, 2 collection dates/year Open call, 2 collection dates/year (next march 2014) Network ≥ 5 member countries Network ≥ 5 member countries Consult the COST website Consult the COST website Take notice of the assessment criteria Take notice of the assessment criteria Contact your CNC(s) Contact your CNC(s)

Assessment of Action proposals Over a period of 9 months (collection date -> start) Over a period of 9 months (collection date -> start) Preproposals: DC members + Experts Preproposals: DC members + Experts Full proposals: EEP + hearings DC Full proposals: EEP + hearings DC

COST Action life cycle CSO approves MoU CSO approves MoU Two Stage Process (max. 9 months) Dissemination (x years) time min. 5 countries accept MoU min. 5 countries accept MoU Open Call Collection Date Implementation (4 years) Monitoring APCs DC assesses pre- proposals Assessmen t Evaluation 1 st MC Meeting External experts & DC assess full proposals

How to join an Action Help writing the (pre)proposal Help writing the (pre)proposal Respond positively during the elaboration of a full proposal Respond positively during the elaboration of a full proposal Join a starting/running Action via your CNC, preferably during the first year Join a starting/running Action via your CNC, preferably during the first year

Some websites of interest     

Thank you for your attention ! Benjamin Monnoye, Wallonia-Brussels Federation, 14 march 2014