Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung 1 COST – a flexible research networking tool European COoperation.

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDIStaatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung

1

COST – a flexible research networking tool

European COoperation in Science and Technology

Estonia, 24 August 2011

(based on presentations by SER/COST and COST Office)

by Dr. Eva M. Klaper, SER Switzerland

a) European frameworkb) COST in generalc) COST in Switzerland


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Part a) European FrameworkEuropean Research and Innovation Area ERA

Concept launched in 2000 in order to go beyond a purely programmatic approach to research at EU level: towards an EU research policy (Lisbon Treaty) - objective of “completing” ERA by 2014

Although a model pupil within ERA for many indicators, the Swiss position within ERA and its related initiatives is often unclear because initiatives in the name of ERA have been launched in many different fields:• Some are policy related (eg. social insurances or visa), others are «open» (eg. Charter and code)• Limits of the Swiss association with regard to ERA-related funding initiatives (Technology Platforms, Art. 185, Joint Programming, EIT, .)

Switzerland is associated to the EU Framework Programme


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Complementarity of European programs


Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 4

Part b) COST in general

The COST Mission:

COST enables break-through scientific developments leading to new concepts and products and thereby contributes to strengthen Europe’s research and innovation capacities.

COST is a unique means for European researchers to jointly develop their own ideas and new initiatives across all scientific disciplines through trans-European networking of nationally funded research activities.

Through its inclusiveness COST supports integration of research communities, leverages national research investments and addresses issues of global relevance.

COST reflects the human dimension of science, supporting researchers to share not only the results of their work but also their aims and methods.



COST main characteristics

• “Bottom-up” – no predefined priorities

• Coordination through cooperation in networks

• Networks based on funded research projects – national responsibility

• “Non-competitive” norms and standards; public utility

• Enabling agent – e.g. promotion of Early Stage Researchers

• Flexible participation – join in if you are interested

• Pan-European dimension / inclusiveness

• Open to global cooperation in the mutual interest

• Equal access / open call

• Focus often on multidisciplinary cooperation



COST dimensions

Scientific Dimension – 269 Running COST Actions (in 2010)– 30’000 Participating Researchers in Europe

Geographic Dimension of membership– 35 Member States + 1 Co-operating state (Israel)– 4 Reciprocal cooperation agreements (Argentina, Australia, New

Zealand, South Africa)

Global Dimension – 38 non-COST countries participating with 459 institutions in 143

COST Actions (April 2011)

Financial Dimension– EC Contribution: Euro 240 Mio. FP7 (0.49%)



The COST Open Call

COST Open Call = thematically open and bottom up

– Encourages multidisciplinary proposals– Encourages activities of early stage researchers

• Selection criteria are public and transparent

• Two collection dates per year (next: 30 September 2011, 17h00)

• 2-stage process / peer reviewed

• Time to COST Action: first meeting after 7 to 9 months after the collection date



COST Action life cycle (duration 4 years)

CSO approves MoUCSO approves MoU

Two StageProcess

(approx. 6 months)

Dissemination(x years)

timetime

Open CallCollection Date

Implementation(4 years)

MonitoringDC assesses DC assesses pre-proposalspre-proposals

Assessment

Evaluation

11stst MC Meeting MC Meeting

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



COST scientific & technical Domains

Biomedicine and Molecular Biosciences (BMBS)

Chemistry and Molecular Sciences & Technologies (CMST)

Earth System Science & Environmental Management (ESSEM)

Food & Agriculture (FA)

Forests, their Products and Services (FPS)

Individuals, Society, Culture & Health (ISCH)

Information & Communication Technologies (ICT)

Materials, Physical & Nanosciences (MPNS)

Transport & Urban Development (TUD)

+ T

rans

– Do

main

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ST

Actio

ns



What is funded by the COST general budget?

COST Actions receive a financial contribution based on a joint work programme for 4 years for:

• Action management and working group meetings• Scientific workshops and seminars• Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs)• Training Schools and Research Conferences• Dissemination (publications, etc.)

• Strategic activities: to explore future scientific or societal needs, support policy developments or stimulate new activities

Average funding ~100 000 € per year per Action



Who

scientists from universities, public bodies, companies (industry and SMEs), etc.

Minimum participation

scientists from 5 different COST countries

non-COST country participation

is possible, but with some funding restrictions

No closed consortia!

Participation



The COST National Coordinator (CNC)

Every COST country has a National Coordinator (National Contact Point) who

• Nominates Delegates to Domain and Management Committees • Advises in all COST related matters• Liaises with relevant institutions and the COST Office, whenever

necessary

The CNC provides a country specific portfolio of support measures

• e.g. national COST meetings for participants

Switzerland: CNC at the State Secretariat for Education and Research



The COST CSO member

Every COST country has a CSO* member with political tasks.

The CSO member

• Represents his/her country in the COST CSO• Liaises with relevant institutions / ministries and the COST Council Secretariat,

whenever necessary

* COST Governence: Committee of Senior Officials CSO

Switzerland: CSO member at the State Secretariat for Education and Research



Role of the State Secretariat

The role of the State Secretariat for Education and Research SER is to

represent Switzerland in the governance of COST (CSO and CNC)

prepare the political and financial basis for COST in Switzerland (Bill to Parliament 2008-2012, 2013-2016)

decide about Swiss participation in COST Actions (“sign” Actions)

manage the Swiss COST budgetline (2011: CHF 6.3 Mio.)

give support to researchers in all questions related to COST

inform a broader public about COST activities



Swiss participation in COST over time



Swiss participation in COST Actions - Action level (1)

Switzerland based researchers can submit proposals for new COST Actions to the COST Open Call http://www.cost.eu/participate/open_call

• Information and support from the SER

Switzerland based researchers can participate in existing Actions:

• Contact the SER

• Statement of Interest

• Switzerland ‘signs’ (accepts) the Action

• Participation in the Action’s Management Committee and working groups



Swiss participation in COST Actions - project level (2)

Switzerland based researchers can submit their research proposals for COST Actions to national funding agencies like the SNF and, in addition, also to the SER (Swiss COST Budget Line):

• 2 deadlines per year

• peer review (excellence criteria)

• Funding max. CHF 180k per project (max 3 years)

• Funding SMEs and industry max 50%

• No “right” to receive SER funding through participation in an Action

→ seed – money: in particular for young researchers and to open up national activities



Swiss COST budget Line

This budget Line (CHF 5.4 Mio. In 2011) is earmarked for COST and is used for:

• Support of networking activities in Switzerland related to COST Actions

• DC / MC / WG meetings in CH may be topped up• Meetings / conferences organized by Swiss COST Participants in

Switzerland may apply for funding

• Organization of COST Days

• Support of research projects • Funding max. CHF 180k per project (max 3 years)• PhD positions and young PostDocs (or similar qualifications)



Swiss COST Information System (COST-IMS) at the SER

The SER operates a custom-made COST database (since 1992) which contains information on• A list of all COST Actions• Information on all COST participants in Management Committees• Information on all COST participants in Domain Committees• Information (scientific and financial) on all COST research projects

with financial support from SER• All reviewers of SER/COST research projects• Short descriptions/abstracts of projects (CDROM / Website)• The Swiss COST budget line

Search functions



The Swiss participants:snapshot 2010 - SER funded research



Guidelines for participation (general and specific for Switzerland)

Annual Report (Swiss participation)

Annual CDROM (SER funded Swiss projects plus some COST documents)

COST section on SER website

Various publications in Euresearch e-newsletter, SER News, etc.

(Euresearch = FP7 Information plattform, NCPs)

Products of the Swiss COST Office



Switzerland: State Secretariat for Education and Research

www.sbf.admin.ch [email protected]

International: COST Office http://www.cost.eu

Thank you for your attention!



In charge of Customer-service (Researchers)

Enhances visibility and gives support to researchers for EU-FP7COSTFP-connected initiatives

Appears as free „Service Publique“

In charge of Policy and Political Decisions

Communicates and disseminates

Swiss participations,Swiss Strategies,

Swiss Research Policy

Official contacts to Governments and Parliaments

(CH, EU, other states)

SER Euresearch

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung 1 COST – a flexible research networking tool European COoperation.

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