1. 1 23 February 2004 COST European CO operation in the Field of S cientific and T echnical Research

2. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 2 3 May 2004 Intergovernmental co-operation –1971 –17 Scientific & Technical domains Participation –34 COST Member States + 1 Co-operating Country (Israel)34 COST Member States + 1 Co-operating Country (Israel) –International organisations and research establishments from non-COST countriesInternational organisations and research establishments from non-COST countries –The European CommissionThe European Commission COST Actions –Concerted Actions (Networks) of nationally funded R&D What is COST ?

3. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 3 3 May 2004 Advantages of COST  Fosters S&T Co-operation across Europe by creating lasting networks of scientists & researchers  Promotes co-operation between Candidate Countries and the EU (particularly the FP) and facilitates their integration  Explores new areas of co-operative research endeavour

4. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 4 3 May 2004 COST Member States  The 25 EU Member States 1  EFTA Member States  Iceland  Norway  Switzerland  Candidate Countries  Bulgaria  Romania  Turkey  Other Countries  Serbia and Montenegro 2  Croatia 2  FYR of Macedonia (FYROM) 2 COST Co-operating States  Israel 1 from 1 May 04 2 Not Associated to FP COST Countries

5. 5 23 February 2004 European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical research REFORM and RENEWAL

6. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 6 3 May 2004 COST Characteristics Co-ordination through networking Pan-European Multi-disciplinary “Non-competitive” (pre- normative; public utility) National financing of researchers and projects – national responsibility Bottom-up - no fixed programme “A la carte” participation – join in if you are interested “Interdisciplinary Exploratoria” Enabling agent: focus on young scientists Open to wider cooperation Commission involvement

7. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 7 3 May 2004 What is a COST Action? MC = Management Committee COST OFFICE COMMITTEE OF SENIOR OFFICIALS (CSO) COST National Coordinators 9 COST Domain Committees (from 01/06/2006) COST Actions (~200) BMBS …… ….. …….. WORKING GROUPS (NETWORKS) …… ~30.000 researchers Scientific Domain ……. Council COST Secretariat Action WGs MC

8. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 8 3 May 2004 COST Actions – what activities? Science management meetingsScience management meetings Scientific workshops and seminarsScientific workshops and seminars Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs)Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) Training Schools and Research ConferencesTraining Schools and Research Conferences DisseminationDissemination Nationally funded projects (min. 5 signatories) with a joint work programme are receive finance for:

9. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 9 3 May 2004 COST Actions – Running Actions 1980-2005 (status 30/11/2005)

10. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 10 3 May 2004 COST reforms its governance and structure The COST CSO took two major decisions to advance the reform process of COST during its 163 rd meeting 23-24 November 2005. These changes help COST playing its distinct role within the ERA and enhancing its contribution to the Lisbon process.

11. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 11 3 May 2004 The scientific and technical Domains in COST are completely restructured.The scientific and technical Domains in COST are completely restructured. 9 Domain Committees instead of former 12 Technical Committees supply the CSO with strategic advice.9 Domain Committees instead of former 12 Technical Committees supply the CSO with strategic advice. The nomination procedure for the Domain committee members is under way. The new committee structure will be in place 1 June 2006.The nomination procedure for the Domain committee members is under way. The new committee structure will be in place 1 June 2006. KICK-OFF BMBS MEETING programmed on 19 May 2006 in Brussels. All Domain Committees: 15 – 19 May 2006 COST reforms its governance and structure (1)

12. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 12 3 May 2004 COST reforms its governance and structure (2) A majority voting procedure has been adopted for CSO decisions. Instead of making decisions by consensus only, now a simple majority of ¾ of the COST Member States decides.A majority voting procedure has been adopted for CSO decisions. Instead of making decisions by consensus only, now a simple majority of ¾ of the COST Member States decides. This will have a significant impact on the COST governance.This will have a significant impact on the COST governance.

13. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 13 3 May 2004 An Open Call system was launched on 3 April 2006.An Open Call system was launched on 3 April 2006. This will improve transparency, secure quality and introduce an element of competitiveness to the selection of COST Actions.This will improve transparency, secure quality and introduce an element of competitiveness to the selection of COST Actions. COST reforms its governance and structure (3)

14. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 14 3 May 2004 COST governance

15. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 15 3 May 2004 COST Scientific and Technical Domains 1.Biomedicine and Molecular Biosciences 2.Food and Agriculture 3.Forests, their Products and Services 4.Materials, Physical & Nanosciences 5.Chemistry and Molecular Sciences & Technologies 6.Earth System Science & Environmental Management 7.Information & Communication Technologies 8.Transport & Urban Development 9.Individuals, Society, Culture & Health These are the new Domains, as from 1 June 2006.

16. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 16 3 May 2004 COST proposed to publish an “Open Call” 3 April 2006COST proposed to publish an “Open Call” 3 April 2006 selection criteria are published and transparentselection criteria are published and transparent emphasis will be on young researchers to foster their joint efforts to become better known and recognisedemphasis will be on young researchers to foster their joint efforts to become better known and recognised there are specific collection dates (i.e. 31 May 2006)there are specific collection dates (i.e. 31 May 2006) 2 stage process / peer reviewed2 stage process / peer reviewed first Actions following the “Open Call” to start early 2007first Actions following the “Open Call” to start early 2007 Next steps ”Open Call“:

17. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 17 3 May 2004 Exclusively for young scientists at postdoc level, (PhD + max. 5 years); min. 8 young scientists with international experience from 5 COST member states, holding their first positionExclusively for young scientists at postdoc level, (PhD + max. 5 years); min. 8 young scientists with international experience from 5 COST member states, holding their first position Eligible activities: meetings, Short Term Scientific Missions, seminars, conferences, outreach activities, plus: [centrally organised & funded] special “YIN Conferences” and research management trainingEligible activities: meetings, Short Term Scientific Missions, seminars, conferences, outreach activities, plus: [centrally organised & funded] special “YIN Conferences” and research management training Support: 90 k € p.a. (2006 prices) as annual grant for up to 4 yearsSupport: 90 k € p.a. (2006 prices) as annual grant for up to 4 years Pilot Call for YINs expected in summer 2006 to test the demandPilot Call for YINs expected in summer 2006 to test the demand Dedicated instrument proposed “Young Investigators Networks” (YIN):

18. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 18 3 May 2004 Next steps – tentative timetable YIN test call 2 stage evaluation process CSO decision first YINs starting CSOCSO 2 nd collection date DC Nominations 2 stage evaluation process Old Domain Actions 1 st collection date Open Call CSO decision FP6 contract 020304 0203090108070605041112100120062007 0506 FP7 CSOCSO New Domain Actions DCs operational CSO

19. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 19 3 May 2004 COST Office

20. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 20 3 May 2004 Contact: Dr.-Ing. Martin Grabert Director COST Office Av. Louise 149 B 1050 Brussels mgrabert@cost.esf.orgcost.esf.org

21. 21 23 February 2004 EUROPEAN CO OPERATION IN S CIENCE AND T ECHNOLOGY NEW DOMAIN: BIOMEDICINE AND MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES (BMBS)

22. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 22 3 May 2004 BIOMEDICINE AND MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES (BMBS) * Definitions * Targets * Thematic scope

23. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 23 3 May 2004 Biomedicine: covers all areas of medicine as practiced in Europe: basic, preclinical and clinical medical research * “bench to bedside “ concept. *Acquisition of knowledge of normal functions of the human body and of alterations of these functions in the case of diseases. *Projects conducted at molecular and the whole body level, its integration in the environment included.

24. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 24 3 May 2004 Molecular biosciences: all areas of genomics, proteomics and metabolomics. They are not limited to research in humans, but may also concern research in plants, molds, viruses, micro-organisms and animals. Basic and applied biomolecular research is addressed, issues connected with forestry and agriculture included.

25. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 25 3 May 2004 Biotechnologies: devoted mainly to pharmacological purposes but this domain will keep some overview function on biotechnological issues specific to other COST domains.

26. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 26 3 May 2004 BIOMEDICINE AND MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES (BMBS) * Definitions * Targets * Thematic scope

27. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 27 3 May 2004 *Promote specific COST activities in all medical domains based on the “bench to bedside” concept. *Approach all areas of molecular biosciences in direct connection with the evolution of medical field, of the advanced diagnosis and treatment techniques (technologies and equipment included), of micro- and nano-medicine, etc.

28. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 28 3 May 2004 Crucial interdisciplinary areas: *Molecular medicine, molecular and cellular biology *Functional genomics, systems biology *Biotechnology, bioinformatics *Pharmacology *Neurobiology *Medical physics and chemistry *Epidemiology

29. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 29 3 May 2004 *Promote Actions with a high degree of innovation, complexity and multidisciplinarity. *Promote Actions which are complementary with respect to the EC Framework Programmes areas.

30. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 30 3 May 2004 BIOMEDICINE AND MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES (BMBS) * Definitions * Targets * Thematic scope

31. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 31 3 May 2004 * Genome(s) (cellular and embryonic development, relationship with specific diseases) * Proteins (structures and functions) * Micro- and Nanomedicine * Study of the central nervous system and neuronal connections.

32. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 32 3 May 2004 *Immune system, cell migration, cell dysfunctions (cancer) *Cellular mechanisms of metabolic diseases, vascular diseases, diabetes, obesity *Contagious diseases (viruses, micro- organisms, hosts) *Advanced imaging and treatment techniques (basic research, diagnosis, treatment procedures)

33. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 33 3 May 2004 *Inter- and multi-disciplinary research within the BMBS and with other COST domains, such as: CMST, MATNANO, ICT, F&A, ISCH, FPS. *Biomedicine, molecular bioscience and pharmacology in extreme conditions, outer space and climate change conditions included.

34. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 34 3 May 2004 *Medical devices and new medicines (including nanothechnologies). *Advanced medical research on biomaterials. *Mathematical models in medicine. * Animals – humans transmissible diseases: transmission mechanisms and specific treatment

35. European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research COST 35 3 May 2004 COST Office Adress: 149, avenue Louise B-1050 Bruxelles, Belgique Tél.: +32-2-533 38 00 Fax: +32-2-533 38 90 Mel: office@cost.esf.orgoffice@cost.esf.org BMBS: mpascu@cost.esf.org WEB: http://www.cost.esf.orghttp://www.cost.esf.org