
Objectives
Networking is an excellent way for individuals at every stage of their careers to discover exciting opportunities, meet new connections, and broaden personal research horizons. COST Actions have been designed to maximize networking possibilities, featuring a wide range of tools and additional activities, which benefit individuals and wider research networks alike through strengthening research outcomes and community knowledge.
Networking tools
- Short term scientific missions (STSM)
- Virtual mobility grants (VMG)
- Inclusive Target Countries conference grants (ITC CG)
- Dissemination Conference Grants (DCG)
-
Short-term Scientific Missions (STSM)
STSMShort-term Scientific Missions (STSMs) are exchange visits for researchers within their Action. This exchange program facilitates individuals to spend up to six months at an institution or laboratory based in a different country, which is also part of the Action. STSMs are great opportunities for researchers to share techniques and gain skills that may not be available at their home institution or laboratory.
STSM Grant provides a contribution for traveling, accommodation and subsistence expenses, implementation of the project, delivery of the report to the COST Action MC, and overall effort. The maximum amount is EUR 4 000 per grant. The allocated budget is EUR 15 000 (together with VMGs).
Any subject related to the PROBE objectives and contributing to the PROBE deliverables can be an STSM topic. This includes various aspects of instrument operations or development, data processing and quality control, product development, or scientific applications. Either the researcher or the host institution can propose a specific topic for collaboration.
-
Virtual mobility grants (VMG)
VMGVirtual Mobility strengthens the existing networks by allowing individual participants to foster collaboration, exchange knowledge, learn new techniques, etc. These activities do not necessarily require in-person presence and may include surveys, questionnaires, preparation of protocols, virtual mentoring of activities that can generate capacity, build new skills, etc.
Virtual Mobility Grant provides a contribution for the overall effort, not necessarily covered by an employer. The maximum amount is EUR 1 500 per grant. The allocated budget is EUR 15 000 (together with STSMs).
-
Inclusive Target Countries conference grants (ITC CG)
Inclusive Target Countries conference grants (ITC CG)ITC Conference consists in a presentation of the own work given by a Young Researcher and Innovator (up to the age of 40) affiliated in an Inclusiveness Target Country / Near Neighbour Country for their participation in high-level conferences fully organized by a third party. The main subject of the presentation must be a topic relevant to the PROBE. The current list of ITCs can be found at https://www.cost.eu/about/strategy/excellence-and-inclusiveness/.
ITC Conference Grant provides a contribution for traveling, accommodation and subsistence expenses, registration fee, printing of scientific poster, and overall effort. The maximum amount is EUR 2 000 per grant for face-to-face conferences or EUR 500.00 for virtual conferences. The allocated budget is EUR 3 500.
-
Dissemination Conference Grants (DCG)
Dissemination Conference consists in an oral presentation by an Action Participant of the work of the Action in high-level conferences fully organized by a third party. The presentation should significantly increase the visibility of the Action in the research community, attract additional participants and stakeholders, and disseminate Action results to relevant end-users.
Dissemination Conference Grant provides a contribution for travelling, accommodation and subsistence expenses, registration fee, and overall effort. The maximum amount is EUR 2 000 per grant for face-to-face conferences or EUR 500.00 for virtual conferences. The allocated budget is EUR 8 000.
Relevant dates
- The call is open from 1 January 2023 till 15 October 2023
- Outcomes: 10 working days after the application is submitted
- Activity dates: must take place before 20 October 2023
- After the activity: submit a report and relevant documentation within 30 days of the end of the activity and before 23 October 2023, whichever takes place earlier


Selection of applicants
The evaluation of applications will be performed by the Grant Awarding Committee. The scientific scope of the activity must clearly complement the overall objectives and deliverables of the PROBE Action.
How to apply
- Carefully read the COST Grant Awarding Guideline (https://www.cost.eu/uploads/2021/12/Grant-Awarding-userguide.pdf)
- If not already registered, register for an e-COST profile at https://e-services.cost.eu/
- Follow the steps in e-COST for a specific grant application, which includes the upload of supporting documents:
- the grant application (based on the e-COST template)
- other supplementary documents


After the Event
The Grantee must submit a short scientific report through e-COST within 30 calendar days from the end date of the event in question and before 23 October 2023, whichever takes place earlier. A template for the scientific report can be found in the e-COST. No invoices will be requested, but the grantee should keep them for her/his record. Payment of the Grant is subject to the submitted scientific report being approved by the Grant Awarding Coordinator.
Grant Awarding coordinator
If you plan to apply for any Action Networking tool please contact PROBE Grant Awarding coordinator Klára Jurčáková (