COST is an intergovernmental framework for European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research^[1]. It was founded in 1971.

Contents 1 Objectives 2 Finance 3 Structure 4 Characteristics 5 Open Call 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

[edit] Objectives

COST contributes towards the realisation of the European Research Area (ERA) and is presently used by the scientific communities of 36 European countries to cooperate in common research projects supported by national funds. Projects (called COST Actions) cover basic and pre-competitive research as well as activities of public utility.

COST anticipates and complements the activities of the Framework programmes, works with the scientific communities of emerging countries, increases the mobility of researchers across Europe and fosters the establishment of "Networks of Excellence".

[edit] Finance

The Seventh Framework Programme foresees EUR 210 million in support for COST (2007-2013) with the possibility of another EUR 40 million depending on a positive mid-term evaluation in 2010.

[edit] Structure

COST has around 200 running COST Actions in nine scientific domains.

The nine domains are:

• BMBS - Biomedicine and Molecular Biosciences
• CMST - Chemistry and Molecular Sciences and Technologies
• ESSEM - Earth System Science and Environmental Management
• FA - Food and Agriculture
• FPS - Forests, their Products and Services
• ISCH - Individuals, Societies, Cultures and Health
• ICT - Information and Communication Technologies
• MPNS - Materials, Physical and Nanosciences
• TUD - Transport and Urban Development

COST Domain Committees are composed of scientists of the European scientific community.

COST’s highest decision-making body is the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) which consists of COST country representatives.

The scientific and administrative secretariat to the COST domain committees and to the Actions is provided by the COST Office based in Brussels.

The European Science Foundation (ESF) implements the COST Office through a contract with the European Commission.

[edit] Characteristics

COST is characterised by:

• a "bottom up approach" (the initiative of launching a COST Action comes from the European scientists themselves);
• "à la carte participation" (only countries interested in the Action participate);
• "equality of access" (participation is open also to the scientific communities of countries not belonging to the European Union) and
• a "flexible structure" (easy implementation and light management of the research initiatives).

[edit] Open Call

COST invites researchers throughout Europe to submit proposals. This continuous COST Open Call is thematically open.

[edit] See also

• Directorate-General for Research
• Seventh Framework Programme 2007–2013
• European Research Area (ERA)
• European Science Foundation
• European Research Networks

[edit] References

1. ^ The official COST site

[edit] External links

• Council of the European Union - COST Secretariat