Submission of proposals for COST Actions represents a unique opportunity for researchers to contribute to the scientific, technological, economic, cultural, and societal advancement across Europe. Transparency, inclusiveness, and competitiveness form the foundation of this process, ensuring that innovative ideas from a diverse group of researchers are recognized and supported. The procedures are designed to be clear, structured, and fully guided by scientific and technological merit.
Table of Contents
How to Apply
- Submission Platform: Proposals for new COST Actions must be submitted through e-COST, the dedicated grant management tool.
- Collection Date: All submissions must meet the annual Open Call deadline. Late submissions are not accepted.
- Proposal Topics: COST Actions are bottom-up, allowing proposals on any research topic, provided they fulfill eligibility criteria.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Involvement of researchers from at least seven COST Member countries.
- At least half of the participants are from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC).
- Approval Timeline: Funding decisions are made by the COST Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) within eight months of the collection date.
- Kick-Off: Approved proposals typically commence around four months after approval.
The Open Call
- Purpose: Open Call proposals should contribute to the advancement of scientific, technological, economic, cultural, or societal knowledge in Europe.
- Interdisciplinary Encouragement: Multi- and interdisciplinary proposals are strongly encouraged.
- Process: The submission, evaluation, selection, and approval (SESA) procedure is fully science and technology-driven, ensuring:
- Transparency
- Simplicity
- Competitiveness
- Inclusiveness
- Guidelines Reference: Prospective applicants must refer to the SESA guidelines and the Open Call Announcement available on the Documents and Guidelines page.
- Next Collection Date: 21 October 2025 at 12:00 (noon) CEST.
- Technical Annex: A new template has been introduced; all proposals, especially resubmissions, must use this template.
Evaluation, Selection, and Approval
The COST Action proposal evaluation is conducted through a three-step process:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Evaluation by independent external experts to assess the scientific and technical quality of proposals. |
| Step 2 | Revision and quality check of consensus reports by ad hoc review panels. |
| Step 3 | Shortlist establishment by the COST Scientific Committee (SC) and submission to the CSO for approval. |
- Selection Basis: Proposals are evaluated competitively based on scientific excellence and available funds.
- Observers: COST may involve observers to provide feedback and oversight on the evaluation and selection process.
- Support: General inquiries can be addressed to the COST National Coordinator, while technical questions should be directed to opencall@cost.eu.
Proposal Preparation Guidelines
- Innovative Idea: Present a research idea that offers novel contributions to science or society.
- Team Composition: Form a team of at least seven proposers from eligible countries.
- Networking Justification: Demonstrate how the proposal enhances collaboration and networking across borders.
- Detailed Plan: Include a comprehensive plan outlining objectives, milestones, and expected outcomes.
- SMART Objectives: Set objectives that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
- Diversity and Balance: Promote geographical, age, and gender balance in the research team.
- Ethical Compliance: Adhere to ethical principles in all aspects of the proposal.
- Word Limit: Respect the specified word limits in all proposal sections.
- Template Use: Utilize the official templates, including the new Technical Annex.
- Anonymity: Ensure proposals are anonymous as required for unbiased evaluation.
Participation in Existing COST Actions
- Joining Ongoing Actions: Researchers who do not propose can participate in existing COST Actions.
- Action Directory: Browse running Actions to identify opportunities for participation.
- Submission Platform: Use e-COST to express interest or submit proposals.
Important Considerations
- Funding Limitations: The available funding may limit the number of proposals selected per collection date.
- Inclusiveness Target Countries: Researchers from ITCs are encouraged to apply, ensuring broader participation across Europe.
- Evaluation Transparency: The process is publicly documented, and feedback is provided where possible.
Examples
| Feature | Requirement/Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum participating countries | 7 COST Member countries |
| Inclusiveness requirement | ≥50% of participants from ITCs |
| Evaluation Steps | External experts → Review panels → Scientific Committee → CSO approval |
| Submission Deadline | 21 October 2025, 12:00 CEST |
| Proposal Template | New Technical Annex template |
| Funding Decision Timeline | Within 8 months of collection date |
| Kick-Off Timeline | Around 4 months after approval |
| Proposal Checklist | Details |
|---|---|
| Innovative idea | Must advance scientific, technological, or societal knowledge |
| Team of proposers | At least 7, diverse and balanced |
| Networking impact | Demonstrates international collaboration benefits |
| Detailed plan | Clear objectives, milestones, and deliverables |
| SMART objectives | Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound |
| Ethical compliance | Must adhere to ethical principles |
| Word limit | Strictly followed |
| Templates | Mandatory usage of official forms |
| Anonymity | Proposal should be anonymous |
Parting Insights
Transparency, inclusiveness, and scientific excellence form the foundation of COST Action proposals. Clear guidelines, structured evaluation, and competitive selection ensure that innovative ideas receive recognition and funding. COST Actions foster collaboration among diverse researchers across Europe, advancing knowledge and contributing to societal development. Participation, whether as a proposer or contributor, offers a unique opportunity to influence the scientific landscape and strengthen international research networks.
