COST supports 40 new Actions and 4 Innovators Grants
New COST Actions starting in autumn 2021 are open for participation as of now. In addition, four Innovators Grants allow ongoing Actions to be extended.
The COST Scientific Committee evaluated 466 applications for new COST Actions and selected 40. Swiss applicants are involved in 21 scientific networks among the funded Actions.
What is COST and what is the goal of its Actions?
Switzerland is one of the founding countries of COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) and a full member of the COST Association. Thanks to this status, researchers in Switzerland are entitled to participate in COST Actions or to coordinate them and submit applications for new Actions.
The COST programme aims to strengthen scientific and technological research and facilitate the emergence of new concepts and ideas. COST brings together European researchers, enabling them to jointly develop their own ideas and new initiatives across all science and technology fields based on trans-European cooperation.
COST activities are carried out through networks, called COST Actions. An Action lasts for four years. COST does not fund the research itself, but supports network-building via different tools such as meetings, short-term scientific exchanges, training schools and dissemination activities.
Easy participation
Researchers and experts linked to institutions (including universities, the ETH Domain, universities of applied sciences, research institutions, public and private research organisations) in Switzerland can join the new COST Actions, as well as all those already under way. All Actions are listed by name in the database indicated below. To take part in a specific Action, please contact the participants. They can inform you about working groups and planned activities. If you wish to take part in the management committee of an Action, please send the SNSF a statement of interest together with your CV and a confirmation signed by the chair of the Action. All options, detailed requirements and a sample statement of interest can be found on the COST page of the SNSF website.
Submission deadline for new Actions
The next submission deadline for new COST Actions is 29 October 2021.
COST Innovators Grants: Actions extended
The COST Scientific Committee awarded four Innovators Grants. They are aimed at accelerating high-end innovation by serving as a conduit between scientific research under COST Actions and marketable applications. Innovators Grants provide an extension of one year for Actions which show market or innovation potential. The grant covers activities needed to translate the results obtained by the scientific network into a marketable or technical solution. Applications for Innovators Grant are made by the management committee of the Action in the course of the fourth year.
An Action extended in this way remains open to all, but no new members will be admitted to its management committee.
COST research projects in Switzerland
Every year, the SNSF launches a call for COST research projects aimed at supporting Swiss research within the scope of COST Actions. Project applications for the 40 new Actions can also be submitted to the SNSF for the 2022 call.