Support for capacity building and knowledge transfer through bilateral or multilateral collaborations is essential to achieving the objectives and deliverables outlined in the Action’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), particularly in research coordination.

These networking activities are highly flexible and inclusive, making them critical for establishing new collaborations or strengthening existing ones across various disciplines and sectors (e.g., academia, industry, SMEs). They can also have a significant impact on career development.

Outcomes, such as spin-off publications and funded projects, contribute to the visibility and impact of COST Actions, encouraging other researchers to join.

Virtual Mobility provides the following benefits (Annotated Rules, p. 96):

• For the COST Action: It serves as a flexible tool to facilitate virtual activities within the network, helping to achieve the MoU objectives and significantly expanding the impact and reach of the Action. It also contributes to European leadership in knowledge creation and enhances innovation potential.
• For the VM grantee: It helps develop capacity in virtual collaboration and networking within a pan-European framework.

Examples of activities that can be performed by a VM grantee include:

• Developing a virtual mentoring scheme, with a special focus on capacity building and skill development, particularly for Young Researchers and Innovators (e.g., managerial, methodological, and communication skills).
• Supporting the harmonization and standardization of methods and procedures within the Action’s networking activities. For example:
• Setting up a survey among all Action members to collect results and outcomes from experiments conducted in their respective labs and research groups.
• Coordinating discussions to develop common protocols for the network’s future use.
• Preparing questionnaires and response scales to be used by Action members as part of virtual networking activities.
• Supporting the implementation of research coordination activities that do not necessarily require in-person presence, such as conducting computational or modeling work.
• Analyzing data related to the Action for a specific report or activity.

Who Can Apply?

Work group members who are already coordinating scoping or systematic reviews, along with other members of a-STEP work groups, are key contributors to our efsforts.

In alignment with COST’s strategy, a-STEP actively supports Young Researchers and Innovators (YRI), under the age of 40, who are affiliated with legal entities in Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) or Near Neighbour Countries (NNC).

Amount of Grants​

The financial support provided is intended as a contribution towards the overall expenses and may not cover all associated costs. This support is paid as a grant.

Please note that during a Virtual Mobility (VM), neither the Management Committee, the COST Office, nor the Grant Holder will be considered as the grantee’s employer. It is the responsibility of the grantee to arrange their own health, social, personal security, and pension matters.

Grants are processed after the completion of the VM, once all reporting requirements have been met and approved by the Grant Awarding Coordinator.

HOW TO APPLY?

Applications must be submitted online through e-COST using the dedicated forms provided. These applications will be accessible to Action leadership and evaluation committees for review.

The following information must be completed in e-COST:

• Title of the Virtual Mobility (VM)
• Start and end dates (within the active Grant Period).
• Budget requested by the applicant
• Information about the host institution and contact person

The following documents must also be uploaded to e-COST:

• Application form (template available on e-COST), including:
  • Goals of the VM, a description of the work already completed and to be carried out, expected outcomes, and how the work aligns with the Action’s MoU objectives
  • Confirmation that the work is original and not funded by other COST actions (this can be included in the application form)

Selection criteria for applicants:

1. The alignment between the Action and the scientific scope of the VM application. The proposal must clearly complement the overall objectives of the Action (as outlined in the MoU, available here: https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA19104/).
2. Priority will be given to applicants who are actively contributing to a Work Group within the COST Action.
3. Young Researchers and Innovators (YRI) from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) or Near Neighbour Countries (NNC) will be prioritized.

When to Apply?

The current call is open until 1st September 2024. For successful applicants, the report must be submitted within 15 days of completing the mobility.

After The VM 

Once the Virtual Mobility (VM) has concluded, the grantee is required to submit the necessary reports and documentation through e-COST and to the Grant Awarding Coordinator, Dr. Özge Mısırlı.

To claim the payment, the report must be submitted via e-COST. The required documentation includes a report to the Action Management Committee (MC) detailing the work carried out, the main achievements of the VM, and any planned follow-up activities. Additionally, any outputs (e.g., publications) should reference the Action to help enhance its visibility.

Please note that failure to submit the scientific report within 15 days of the VM’s end date will result in the cancellation of the grant.

Notice of Completion:

The Grand Awarding coordinator will approve the final report and send the completion notice to the Grant Holder. The Grant Holder will then execute the payment of the grant directly to the grantee. 

Contact:

For more general information on VM grants, please contact Grant Awarding Coordinator Özge Mısırlı, ozgeekarakus@gmail.com