Introduction to the COST Framework Program at Technological University Dublin

1. COST Rita Ward Enterprise Ireland 26th September 2019 European Cooperation in Science and Technology Introduction to the COST Framework Programme at Technological University Dublin

2. COST and How to Participate • What is COST? • What are the COST Actions? • How to participate in them? • How to prepare a successful proposal? • Contacts and Questions

3. What is COST? COST (European CO-operation in Science and Technology) is the longest-running European framework supporting cooperationamongresearchers, engineers and scholarsby enabling them to jointlydevelop their own ideas andnew initiatives across all fields in science and technology, including social sciences and humanities.

4. What is COST? • Founded in 1971, COST is the oldest and widest European intergovernmental framework for transnational Cooperation in Science and Technology. • COST has been supporting networking of research activities across the 38 COST countries (plus 1 cooperating State) and beyond for more than 40 years (19 COST countries in 1971). • COST budget €300 million from H2020. • One instrument: the COST Action (network of researchers). Only a few Actions (each with 4 year duration) at the beginning, to more than 335 Actions running in 2017 COST DOES NOT FUND RESEARCH

5. Role of COST in the ERA – 3 Strategic Priorities .

6. COST Actions COST supports the networking of researchers through science and technology networks -‘COST Actions’ • All fields of S&T (highlight on trans-, multi-, interdisciplinary, new and emergent fields) • All partners (academia, public organisations, SME, industry, NGO, International Organisations) • All career stages (young and experienced researchers) • Capacity building, Early Career Investigators • All countries • COST Countries (38 COST Member Countries + Cooperating State (Israel) • Global cooperation on the basis of mutual interest (NNC, IPC) • Geographical balance

7. COST key figures of 2018Ireland has 86% participation rate in COST Actions COST: The networking tool in the ERA and the pre-portal to other ERA funding schemes

8. 38 COST Countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway,Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdomand North Macedonia (the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). The countries in blue are the less research-intensive COST countries, also know as inclusiveness target countries (ITCs). COST Members – 38 countries of Europe m 1 Cooperating State: Israel

9. International Dimension of COST Actions • The participation of Institutions from Near Neighbour Countries (NNC) and International Partner Country (IPC) is welcome and is based on mutual benefit • Institutions in Near Neighbour Countries (NNC): • Mediterranean countries (Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, Syria and Tunisia) • Eastern European Countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Russia and Ukraine) • Institutions in all other International Partner Countries (IPC)

10. COST Action – Network Composition COST Action participants nominated by COST National Coordinators Main proposer Secondary proposers non-COST Countries

11. COST Actions Memorandum of Understanding 4 years Network Min 7 countries Research coordination and capacity building activities € ~500 000 euros over lifetime

12. Networking tools Management Committee meeting Working Group meeting Research coordination & Conferences Capacity building activities Training Schools Dissemination Scientific missions

13. COST Action Structure Leadership Positions MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (MC) GRANT HOLDER (GH) Action Chair Vice Chair GH Scientific Rep. COST AssociationAdministration WG4 WG1 WG5 WG2 WG leaders WG3 WG6 STSM coordinator Horizontal groups Scientific Com. Manager

15. How to engage with COST? As participant of a running COST Action As expert to evaluate submitted proposals As proposer of a COST Action

16. I. Engage as participant of a running COST Action

17. Check out COST website: www.cost.eu e.g. CA15113 and CA17137

18. Check out COST website: www.cost.eu e.g. CA17137

19. CA16122 15/03/2017 - 14/03/2021

21. Can Join an Action • As a Management Committee (MC) member • As a Working Group (WG) participant • As grantee of a Short Term Scientific Mission • As grantee of a ITC Conference grant • As trainer / trainee of a Training school • As attendee of a Workshop/Conference

22. Advice • Read the MoU and identify your interest / potential contribution • Browse the Action’s own website – check their activities • Check website for MC members • If vacancies, then contact COST National Coordinator

23. II.Expert to evaluate submitted proposals for a COST Action

24. Why become a COST expert? • As a COST external expert, you will have the opportunity to: - Contribute to the evaluation of COST Open Call proposals. - Participate in the assessment of Action results and outcomes. - Gain insight into the latest scientific and technological developments put forward by COST scientific communities. - Build on your reputation in the research community through the recognition of your role as a COST expert. - Contribute to the impact and success of our COST programme. • Further Information: https://www.cost.eu/who-we-are/working-with-us/participate-external-expert/ • Register at: - https://e-services.cost.eu/

25. III.Engage as proposer of a COST Action

26. COST OpenCall Collection every 9 months 5 September 2019 – 12:00 CET Next: probably in May/June 2020 When? What? One stage online submission of proposals eCOST account Who? Main proposer (and secondary proposers) How many? 40 – 45 Actions approved per collection

27. Preparing a successful proposal Online submission tool (e-COST)* *www.cost.eu/ecost

28. Proposals • Preparing a successful proposal Technical Annex 1. S&T excellence* 2. Networking Excellence 3. Impact 4. Implementation General features COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy Specific objectives Network of proposers Anonymous* Min 7 COST countries Min ITC 50% Format Peaceful purpose English Eligibility!

29. COST Action – Network Composition COST Action participants nominated by COST National Coordinators Main proposer Secondary proposers non-COST Countries

30. Open Call for proposals – Technical AnnexEvaluation criteria - step 1

31. Evaluation - SESA Step 1: External remote evaluation 3 independent external experts Technical Annex Step 2: Revision and quality check by Review Panels Step 3: Selection by the Scientific Committee COST policy and objectives Step 4: Approval by COST committee of Senior Officials - Results 7-8 months after submission

32. Open Call for proposals – key documents Source: cost.eu/opencall • Online submission • Official Announcement (next Open Call 2020-1) • Guidelines • Proposal template

33. COST Administration – European Cooperation in Science and TechnologyAvenue Louise 1491050 Brussels, Belgium T: +32 (0)2 533 3800 F: +32(0)2 533 3890 E: General enquiries:- office@cost.eu Website: www.cost.eu COST Contacts Rita Ward – COST National Coordinator Enterprise Ireland - R & I Internationalisation T: +353 (0) 1 7272147 E: CNC-IE@enterprise-ireland.com Get COST News by e-mail by signing up at www.cost.eu/notification www.twitter.com/COSTProgramme http://www.facebook.com/COST.Programme www.linkedin.com/company/cost-office www.youtube.com/user/COSTOffice 33

34. Thank You Questions?