COSTCOSTEuropean COoperation in Science and European COoperation in Science and

TechnologyTechnology

Belspo, 14 March 2014

Benjamin MONNOYE, Attachébenjamin.monnoye@cfwb.be

Directorate of scientific researchDG non-compulsory education and scientific research

Ministry of the Federation Wallonia-Brussels

••• COST main characteristicsCOST 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 supporting cooperation among scientists and researchers all fields of

research via coordination of nationally-funded research on a European research via coordination of nationally-funded research on a European level 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 130 000 € per year per Actionaverage funding about 130 000 € per year per Action

• ““Bottom-up” –Bottom-up” –no fixed programmes / prioritiesno fixed programmes / priorities

• Focus on multidisciplinary cooperationFocus on multidisciplinary cooperation

• Promotion of Early Stage ResearchersPromotion of Early Stage Researchers

•••  36 COST Countries36 COST Countries

• The 28 EU Member StatesThe 28 EU Member States• Acceding & Candidate CountriesAcceding & Candidate Countries

- - FYR of Macedonia (FYROM)FYR of Macedonia (FYROM)- Iceland- Iceland- Republic of Serbia- Republic of Serbia- Turkey- Turkey

• Other CountriesOther Countries- Bosnia and Herzegovina - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Norway- Norway- Switzerland- Switzerland

• COST Co-operating StatesCOST Co-operating States - Israel - Israel

•••  What is a COST Action?What is a COST Action?

COMMITTEE OF SENIOR OFFICIALS (CSO)COMMITTEE OF SENIOR OFFICIALS (CSO) COST National COST National CoordinatorsCoordinators

F&A ……….. ……..

WORKING GROUPS …… ~ 30.000 researchersWORKING GROUPS …… ~ 30.000 researchersScientific Domain

…….

CouncilCouncilCOST COST

Secretariat Secretariat

Action WGs

MC

10 COST 10 COST Domain Domain

CommitteesCommittees

COST ActionsCOST Actions(200+)(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 ActionHow to introduce a COST Action

• Assessment of Action proposalsAssessment of Action proposals

• How to join an ActionHow 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)(next march 2014)

• Network Network ≥ 5 member countries≥ 5 member countries• Consult the COST websiteConsult the COST website• Take notice of the assessment criteriaTake 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 -> Over a period of 9 months (collection date -> start) start)

• Preproposals: DC members + ExpertsPreproposals: DC members + Experts

• Full proposals: EEP + hearings DCFull proposals: EEP + hearings DC

•••  COST Action life cycleCOST Action life cycle

CSO approves MoUCSO approves MoU

Two StageProcess

(max. 9 months)

Dissemination(x years)

timetime

min. 5 countries accept MoUmin. 5 countries accept MoU

Open CallCollection Date

Implementation(4 years)

MonitoringAPCs

DC assesses DC assesses pre-proposalspre-proposals

Assessment

Evaluation

11stst MC Meeting MC Meeting

External experts & External experts & DC assess full DC assess full proposalsproposals

••• How to join an Action  

• Help writing the (pre)proposalHelp writing the (pre)proposal

• Respond positively during the elaboration of Respond positively during the elaboration of a full proposala full proposal

• Join a starting/running Action via your CNC, Join a starting/running Action via your CNC, preferably during the first yearpreferably during the first year

•••  Some websites of interest

www.cost.eu www.belspo.be www.fwo.be/ www.fnrs.be/ www.recherchescientifique.cfwb.be/

Thank you for your attention !

Benjamin Monnoye, Wallonia-Brussels Federation, 14 march 2014