OPEN COST Action is happy to announce the opening of the call for applications for ITC conference grants. These grants are aimed at supporting Young Researchers and Innovators (YRI), including PhD students from Participating ITCs and NNCs to attend related conferences, events or conduct activities on the topic of the Action that are not organised by the COST Action.
 

How ITC conference grants work:

Duration:
There is no minimum or maximum duration.
ITC conference grants can be carried out from June 1, 2025 until September 30, 2025.

Content and Focus:

The purpose of the grants is to support the action in achieving its objectives, assist participants’ career development (support grantees from ITC countries for presenting their work), and help establish new and reinforced collaborations. The grants directly support the participation of a grantee from ITC and NNC countries in a conference to present their work.

The application should be linked (content-wise) to one of the main activity areas of OPEN COST See: www.opencostaction.eu 

Financial Support:

Financial support for successful applicants will include up to 2000 Euros per grantee (500 EURO for virtual conference).

A Conference Grant is a fixed financial contribution which takes into consideration the budget request of the applicant and the outcome of the evaluation of the application by the delegated person(s). Conference Grants do not necessarily cover all the expenses related to participating in a given conference. A Conference Grant is a contribution to the overall travel, accommodation and meal expenses of the selected Grantee.

Obligations:

Grantees and host researchers commit to writing a blog post and sending pictures of their experience at the conference for the social media network.

Reporting and claim for payment of the grant:

Upon the conclusion of the conference, within 30 days after the end of the activity, the grantees have to submit via e-COST system:

• The claim for the payment of the grant is made via e-COST system.
• Report to the Action MC on the main achievements of the participation in the conference and planned future follow up activities.
• Documentary evidence of the conference fee amount must be provided by the applicant and in kind, must be archived by the Grant Holder along with the relevant administrative documents.

Eligibility:

• Conference Grants are Open to Young Researchers and Innovators (individuals younger than 40 years old) with a primary affiliation in an institution located in Inclusive Target Countries (ITC) and Near Neighbour Countries (NNC), participating in OPEN COST Action (CA22121).
• The applicant must make an oral/poster presentation at the conference in question and must be listed in the official event/conference program. The main subject of the oral presentation / poster presentation / speech at the approved conference must be related to the OPEN COST mission.
• The participation of each applicant must be pre-approved by the OPEN COST Grant Award Coordinator.
• The conference must take place no later than September 30, 2025.
• Grantees can perform the mission anywhere in the world (and as long as it serves the purpose of the ITC conference grant).

Priorities:

Priority will be given to applications supporting the main activities of the OPEN Cost Action.

Gender balance will be taken into consideration.
 

Timeline:

Open of call: March 5, 2025

Deadline for application: May 5, 2025, 12:00 PM Brussels time.

Decision process and announcements of results: May 31, 2025.

ITC conference grants can be carried out from June 1, 2025 until September 30, 2025.

How to apply?

The applicant submits an application via e-COST. You may have to create an account before submitting your application. OPEN COST is Action Number CA22121.
 

Required elements of the application:

• Within e-COST you will need to create a “Conference Grant Request”.
• You will need to submit the following documentation:

• ITC Conference Grant application form (you can download this through the system).
• CV (including a list of academic publications, if any).
• Provide a short description of your involvement in the OPEN COST Action.
• Acceptance letter from the conference organisers (confirming either your speaking slot or your poster presentation).
• A copy of the abstract or poster submitted to the conference.
• Dates and duration
• Bank details
• Detailed financial support requested:

Total amount: 2000 EURO (500 EURO for online events)

For questions, please feel free to contact the OPEN COST Grant Award Coordinator Dr. Hila Zahavi: hilape@bgu.ac.il