European CO operation in the field of S cientific and T echnical research

European European COCOoperation in the field of operation in the field of SScientific and cientific and TTechnical researchechnical research

New Opportunities New Opportunities

& New Procedures& New Procedures

Dr. Piotr Dr. Piotr ŚŚwiwiąątektek

COST Office, BrusselsCOST Office, Brussels

European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research

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May 2006

Strengthen Europe in scientific and technical Strengthen Europe in scientific and technical research for peaceful purposes through the research for peaceful purposes through the

support of cooperation and interaction support of cooperation and interaction between European researchersbetween European researchers

COST missionCOST mission


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May 2006

Source: Research Europe 11-2005

Ch

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ove

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erio

d 2

00

0-2

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3 [

%]

COST helps by pooling resourcesCOST helps by pooling resources


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May 2006

• Co-ordination through Co-ordination through networkingnetworking

• Pan-EuropeanPan-European

• Multi-disciplinary Multi-disciplinary

“Non-competitive”“Non-competitive” (pre-normative; public utility)(pre-normative; public utility)

• National financing of National financing of researchers and projects researchers and projects – national responsibility– national responsibility

• Bottom-up Bottom-up – no fixed programme– no fixed programme

• Flexible participation – join in Flexible participation – join in if you are interestedif you are interested

• ““Interdisciplinary Interdisciplinary Exploratoria”Exploratoria”

• Enabling agent: focus on Enabling agent: focus on younger researchersyounger researchers

• Open to wider cooperationOpen to wider cooperation

COST characteristicsCOST characteristics


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May 2006

COST Member StatesCOST Member States

The 25 EU Member StatesThe 25 EU Member States

EFTA Member StatesEFTA Member States IcelandIceland

NorwayNorway

SwitzerlandSwitzerland

Candidate Countries Candidate Countries BulgariaBulgaria

Croatia Croatia

RomaniaRomania

TurkeyTurkey

Other Countries Other Countries Serbia and MontenegroSerbia and Montenegro**

FYR of Macedonia (FYROM)FYR of Macedonia (FYROM)**

COST Co-operating StatesCOST Co-operating States IsraelIsrael * not associated with FP

COST CountriesCOST Countries


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May 2006

Total number of participations in running Actions: 120 (incl. 5 NGO)

Australia - 7

Argentina - 2

China - 10

Japan - 6

Canada - 22

New-Zealand - 1

South Africa - 1

Albania - 1

Bosnia & Herzegovina - 1 Armenia - 1

Ethiopia - 1

Eritrea - 1

Ukraina - 15Russia - 27

USA - 14Rep of Korea - 1China (Taiwan) - 1

China (Macao) - 1

Brazil - 1

Algeria - 1

India - 1

COST Actions: global participationCOST Actions: global participation


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May 2006

COST governanceCOST governance


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May 2006

1.1. Biomedicine and Molecular BiosciencesBiomedicine and Molecular Biosciences

2.2. Chemistry and Molecular Sciences & TechnologiesChemistry and Molecular Sciences & Technologies

3.3. Earth System Science & Environmental Management Earth System Science & Environmental Management

4.4. Food & Agriculture Food & Agriculture

5.5. Forests, their Products and ServicesForests, their Products and Services

6.6. Individuals, Society, Culture & Health Individuals, Society, Culture & Health

7.7. Information & Communication TechnologiesInformation & Communication Technologies

8.8. Materials, Physical & NanosciencesMaterials, Physical & Nanosciences

9.9. Transport & Urban DevelopmentTransport & Urban Development

The new Domains, as from 1 June 2006:The new Domains, as from 1 June 2006:

COST Scientific and Technical DomainsCOST Scientific and Technical Domains


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May 2006

MC = Management Committee

COST OFFICE

COMMITTEE OF SENIOR OFFICIALS (CSO) COST National

Coordinators

9 COST Domain

Committees (from 01/06/2006)

COST Actions(~200)

F&A ……….. ……..

WORKING GROUPS (NETWORKS) …… ~30.000 researchers

Scientific Domain

…….

CouncilCOST

Secretariat

Action WGs

MC

What is a COST Action?What is a COST Action?


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May 2006

0

20

40

60

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200

80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05

Year

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COST Actions – Running Actions 1980-2005COST Actions – Running Actions 1980-2005 (status 31 December)(status 31 December)


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May 2006

COST GovernanceCOST Governance

• The Technical Committees (TC) are responsible for a particular research domain formed by representatives of the COST countries.

• The Management Committees (MC) (one for each Action) are formed by national experts of the signatory countries coordinate the activities of the Action.


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May 2006

COST OfficeCOST Office


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May 2006

• Science management meetingsScience management meetings• Scientific workshops and seminarsScientific workshops and seminars• Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs)Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs)• Training Schools and Research ConferencesTraining Schools and Research Conferences• DisseminationDissemination

Nationally funded projects (min. 5 signatories) with a Nationally funded projects (min. 5 signatories) with a

joint work programme are receive finance for:joint work programme are receive finance for:

COST Actions – what activities?COST Actions – what activities?


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May 2006

Payment modalitiesPayment modalities

• Grant system, no contracts

• Pay-as-you-go– more then 20 thousand payments/year– mostly directly to the private accounts

• Annual Grant– obligatory starting 2007


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May 2006

Budget Statistics of the COST ActionBudget Statistics of the COST Action

Average for Actions / Year 80,000 €

Average / Meeting / Participant 880 €Short Term Scientific Missions 5,000 €Average for Publications 4,000 €Average for Workshops 7,000 €

Final Evaluation up to 2,500 €

average 15 countries, duration 4 years


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May 2006

Aim: promote exchange within an Action’s scientific objectives.

How: by allowing a scientist (especially a junior researcher) to go to

a laboratory in another COST country to learn a new technique or to make measurements using instruments and/or methods not available in their own laboratory.

Means: Average contribution for a mission (between 5 days and 3

month) will not normally exceed EURO 2,500

Short Term Scientific MissionsShort Term Scientific Missions


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May 2006

2004: budget 1.150 k€ → 772 STSMs

2005: budget 1.147 k€ → 500 STSMs + 246 k€ → 151 STSMs.

(246 k€ from the Actions’ budget)

Means: one of the most appreciated instruments of COST !

Short Term Scientific MissionsShort Term Scientific Missions (2) (2)


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May 2006

May participate on an Action by Action basis given:

there is mutual S&T benefit

the CSO approves (following MC and DC approval)

participation is confirmed by an exchange of letters between the organisation and the CSO

Non-COST institutions may not vote in the MC

Organisations from non-COST countriesOrganisations from non-COST countries


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May 2006

• COST published an “Open Call” 3 April 2006 to COST published an “Open Call” 3 April 2006 to improve improve transparency, secure quality and introduce an element of transparency, secure quality and introduce an element of competitivity to the selection of COST Actionscompetitivity to the selection of COST Actions

• selection criteria are published and transparentselection criteria are published and transparent

• emphasis will be on young researchers to foster their joint emphasis will be on young researchers to foster their joint efforts to become better known and recognisedefforts to become better known and recognised

• specific collection dates are foreseen (i.e. 31 Mayspecific collection dates are foreseen (i.e. 31 May 2006)2006)

• 2 stage process / peer reviewed 2 stage process / peer reviewed

• first COST Actions following the “Open Call” to start early first COST Actions following the “Open Call” to start early 20072007

COST Open Call for proposals (1)COST Open Call for proposals (1)


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May 2006

Selection process – Criteria Preliminary Proposal:Selection process – Criteria Preliminary Proposal:

• Does the proposed network address real current problems/scientific Does the proposed network address real current problems/scientific issues?issues?

• Would the proposed network make a significant difference?Would the proposed network make a significant difference?

• What is the level of innovation and/or originalityWhat is the level of innovation and/or originality in the proposed in the proposed Action?Action?

• Networking aside, how great are the potential benefits of the proposed Networking aside, how great are the potential benefits of the proposed Action?Action?

• Is COST the best mechanism for achieving the Actions’ objectives?Is COST the best mechanism for achieving the Actions’ objectives?

• Is the proposed Action presented in a clear and understandable way?Is the proposed Action presented in a clear and understandable way?



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May 2006

Selection process – Preliminary Proposals:Selection process – Preliminary Proposals:

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1 week1 week 3 weeks3 weeks 3 days3 days



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May 2006

Selection process – Full Proposals:Selection process – Full Proposals:Esta

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Sta

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Acti

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2 weeks2 weeks 4 weeks4 weeks



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May 2006

Selection process – Criteria Full Proposal: IMPACTSelection process – Criteria Full Proposal: IMPACT

• Is COST the best mechanism for achieving the Actions’ objectives?Is COST the best mechanism for achieving the Actions’ objectives?

• Does the proposed network address real current problems/scientific Does the proposed network address real current problems/scientific issues? issues?

• Does the proposed network make a significant difference?Does the proposed network make a significant difference?

• Networking aside, how great are the potential benefits of the Networking aside, how great are the potential benefits of the proposed Action?proposed Action?

• Is the dissemination plan adequate in relation to the objectives of the Is the dissemination plan adequate in relation to the objectives of the Action?Action?



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May 2006

Selection process – Criteria Full Proposal: QUALITYSelection process – Criteria Full Proposal: QUALITY• What is the level of innovationWhat is the level of innovation in the proposed Action?in the proposed Action?• What is the level of originality of the proposed Action?What is the level of originality of the proposed Action?• What is the level of scientific quality of the proposed Action?What is the level of scientific quality of the proposed Action?• How relevant is the proposed Action to European economic or societal needs?How relevant is the proposed Action to European economic or societal needs?• To what extent does the proposed Action contribute to the development of the To what extent does the proposed Action contribute to the development of the

scientific or technological field?scientific or technological field?• To what extent does the proposed network aim at involving young To what extent does the proposed network aim at involving young

researchers?researchers?• To what extent does the proposed network aim at being gender balanced?To what extent does the proposed network aim at being gender balanced?• Does the number of countries the proponents come from reflect a wide Does the number of countries the proponents come from reflect a wide

European dimension?European dimension?• Are the proponents aware of the state-of-the-art of the scientific/technical field Are the proponents aware of the state-of-the-art of the scientific/technical field

covered by the proposal?covered by the proposal?



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May 2006

Selection process – Criteria Full Proposal: MANAGEMENTSelection process – Criteria Full Proposal: MANAGEMENT

• To what extent is the plan of activities and the management To what extent is the plan of activities and the management organisation appropriate?organisation appropriate?

• To what extent are the time schedule and the targets appropriate?To what extent are the time schedule and the targets appropriate?

• To what extent has provision been made for monitoring and To what extent has provision been made for monitoring and evaluating the achievement of objectives?evaluating the achievement of objectives?

• To what extent has provision been made for assessing potential To what extent has provision been made for assessing potential application, and fostering exploitation, of results?application, and fostering exploitation, of results?



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May 2006

COST invites researchers throughout Europe to submit COST invites researchers throughout Europe to submit proposals for research networks and use this unique proposals for research networks and use this unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and to embark on opportunity to exchange knowledge and to embark on new European perspectives.new European perspectives.

www.cost.esf.org/opencall

This continuous call is thematically open. Proposals This continuous call is thematically open. Proposals from all Scientific Domains are welcome. A first from all Scientific Domains are welcome. A first collection date for preliminary proposals is 31 May 2006.collection date for preliminary proposals is 31 May 2006.



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May 2006

• Exclusively for young scientists at postdoc level, (PhD or equivalent + Exclusively for young scientists at postdoc level, (PhD or equivalent +

max. 5 years); min. 8 young scientists with international experience max. 5 years); min. 8 young scientists with international experience

from 5 COST member states, holding their first positionsfrom 5 COST member states, holding their first positions

• Support: 90 k € p.a. (2006 prices) as a grant for up to 4 yearsSupport: 90 k € p.a. (2006 prices) as a grant for up to 4 years

• Eligible activities: meetings, Short Term Scientific Missions, seminars, Eligible activities: meetings, Short Term Scientific Missions, seminars,

conferences, outreach activities, conferences, outreach activities, plusplus [centrally organised & funded]:[centrally organised & funded]:

special “special “YIN ConferencesYIN Conferences” and ” and research management training coursesresearch management training courses

• Pilot CallPilot Call for YINs to test the demand for YINs to test the demand expected in summer 2006expected in summer 2006

““YYoung oung IInvestigators nvestigators NNetworks” (YINs):etworks” (YINs):

Special type of COST Actions proposedSpecial type of COST Actions proposed


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May 2006

• new COST instrument will contribute to closing new COST instrument will contribute to closing the gap between the training part and the the gap between the training part and the project funding part in European funding project funding part in European funding opportunitiesopportunities

• will use the ideas generated by young teams, in will use the ideas generated by young teams, in particular from the new member statesparticular from the new member states

• will require close interaction with the partners will require close interaction with the partners on the national level.on the national level.

YYoung oung IInvestigators nvestigators NNetworks” (YIN)etworks” (YIN)


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May 2006

• the participation of young scientists as Management Committee members will also serve as a training ground to promote their ambitious ideas on a broader scale

• special “YIN Conferences” will be organised by the COST Office.

• research management training courses will be offered to YIN members,

YYoung oung IInvestigators nvestigators NNetworks” (YIN) 2etworks” (YIN) 2


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May 2006

• Joint Forward Looks (e.g. “Nutrition in a changing world”)Joint Forward Looks (e.g. “Nutrition in a changing world”)

• Joint conferences (e.g. “European Forum on Nanosciences”, Latsis Joint conferences (e.g. “European Forum on Nanosciences”, Latsis

conferences, Food & Health conference)conferences, Food & Health conference)

• Joint workshops (e.g. “Bio-energy”)Joint workshops (e.g. “Bio-energy”)

• Invitation of SC chairs and/or liaison persons to DC meetingsInvitation of SC chairs and/or liaison persons to DC meetings

• Joint meetings at JAF/ExBo levelJoint meetings at JAF/ExBo level

• Regular senior management meetings Regular senior management meetings

• Common IT system to be developedCommon IT system to be developed

COST – ESF synergiesCOST – ESF synergies


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May 2006

• Increasing the number of Actions to 260Increasing the number of Actions to 260

• Action budgets increasing to 90.000 € p.a.Action budgets increasing to 90.000 € p.a.

• More meetings (about 650 meetings p.a.) to be held in More meetings (about 650 meetings p.a.) to be held in BrusselsBrussels

• Provisions for the transition period to FP8 in 2012Provisions for the transition period to FP8 in 2012

FP7 funding assumptionsFP7 funding assumptions

COST future evolutionCOST future evolution


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May 2006

COST requested total budget under FP7 (280 m€)

0.00

5.00

10.00

15.00

20.00

25.00

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

FP7 year

m€

DC support

Strategy

Actions (incl. YIN)

STSMs

Training

Dissemination

Peer Review

COST Office Sci

COST Office manag

Indirect

COST future evolution (2)COST future evolution (2)


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May 2006

COST Dissemination and Co-operation COST Dissemination and Co-operation PolicyPolicy

• COST subscribed to AlphaGalileo and Cordis Wire

• COST is present at all major events of European impact (ESOF, EARMA, MRS, EPS, etc)

• COST-Days (18 April 2006 in EP)

• Co-operation with DG-Research, EUREKA, INTAS, NATO


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May 2006

Signatures of Actions: Turkey

• 284 12/09/2003

• 285 26/05/2003

• 288 10/06/2004

• 289 23/04/2003

• 535 18/02/2005

• 633 08/11/2002

• 924 07/02/2005

• 925 19/08/2005

• 927 25/01/2005

• A26 15/06/2005

• C17 01/10/2004

• D17 03/07/2002


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May 2006

Signatures of Actions: Turkey

• 284 12/09/2003

• 285 26/05/2003

• 288 10/06/2004

• 289 23/04/2003

• 535 18/02/2005

• 633 08/11/2002

• 924 07/02/2005

• 925 19/08/2005

• 927 25/01/2005

• A26 15/06/2005

• C17 01/10/2004

• D17 03/07/2002

• P14 09/03/2006


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May 2006

A36 Tributary Empires Compared: Romans, A36 Tributary Empires Compared: Romans, Mughals and Ottomans in the pre-industrial world Mughals and Ottomans in the pre-industrial world

from antiquity till the transition to modernityfrom antiquity till the transition to modernity

• duration 2005-2009

• The main objective of the Action is to produce a better understanding of classical tributary empires and the problems relating to segmented, loosely integrated and partly overlapping forms of power and authority through the establishment of a European network for the comparative study of the Roman, Ottoman, Mughal and related empires. The network contributes to our understanding of forms of social power and state organisation which lie outside the national state, and to current debates on the character of empire and imperialism.

• Prof Metin Kunt, Sabanci University, Turkey, is the local organiser of the Action’s conference in Istanbul on October 14-16 2005 on “Royal Courts and Capitals”, including papers on “How to become a sultan”, “Ottoman regalia” etc.


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May 2006

535 Thermodynamics of Alloyed Aluminides 535 Thermodynamics of Alloyed Aluminides (THALU)(THALU)

The main objective is to create the thermodynamic platform which is crucial for the development of new alloys based on intermetallic compounds. This scientific platform will comprise models of the thermodynamic properties of engineering aluminides, evaluated existing data and data, based on new theoretical and experimental approaches.


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May 2006

How can I join COSTHow can I join COST

Depending on your own position and that of the Action (for details visit the COST web site and look for the relevant Action details) there are series of different forms of co-operation


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May 2006

running Actionsrunning Actions

• If your laboratory or institution is in a COST member country

(this has nothing to do with your own nationality) you can join the Action as

– Member of the Management Committee of an Action in case your country has not yet nominated 2 scientists but is already signatory of the Action.

– Member of the Management Committee if your country is not yet signatory of the Action. In that case your country has first to sign its participation in the relevant Action. (Note: If your country wishes to become member 12 months after the approval of the Action the approval of the Management Committee of the Action is required)

• Member of a working group of an Action • Invited expert to specific events of an Action (Meetings of the

MC, WG, workshop participation etc.)


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May 2006

running Actionsrunning Actions

• If your laboratory or institution is in a COST member country

(this has nothing to do with your own nationality) you can join the Action as

– Member of the Management Committee of an Action in case your country has not yet nominated 2 scientists but is already signatory of the Action.

– Member of the Management Committee if your country is not yet signatory of the Action. In that case your country has first to sign its participation in the relevant Action. (Note: If your country wishes to become member 12 months after the approval of the Action the approval of the Management Committee of the Action is required)

• Member of a working group of an Action • Invited expert to specific events of an Action (Meetings of the

MC, WG, workshop participation etc.)


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May 2006

FPCouncil &

EP Decision

ESF/CSOMoU

EuropeanCommission

CSO

ESF

ESFCOSTOffice

TCs

Actions

Contract Implementation

Consultation

Negotiation

EuropeanResearch

Community

COST- Sixth Framework Programme


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May 2006

COST - ESF

co-operation with PESC


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May 2006

Dr.-Ing. Martin GrabertDr.-Ing. Martin Grabert

Director COST OfficeDirector COST Office

Av. Louise 149Av. Louise 149

B 1050 BrusselsB 1050 Brussels

[email protected]@cost.esf.org

Contact:Contact:

Dr. Piotr SwiatekDr. Piotr Swiatek

Science OfficerScience Officer

Av. Louise 149Av. Louise 149

B 1050 BrusselsB 1050 Brussels

[email protected]@cost.esf.org

www.cost.esf.orgwww.cost.esf.org


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May 2006

Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention

European CO operation in the field of S cientific and T echnical research

Documents

cost scientific

field of scientific

cost actions

cost member states

research europe

brusselseuropean cooperation

support of cooperation

china macao