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Short-Term Scientific Missions

OPEN COST project is happy to announce the opening of the call for applications for STSM: Short-Term Scientific Missions. STSMs are directed to facilitate and support mobility of individuals for short scientific missions, to inspire research, and to forge new links among OPEN COST partners.

Duration:

There is no minimum or maximum duration. 
STSM can be carried out from July 1, 2024 until September 30, 2024.

Content and Focus:

The purpose of the STSMs is to support the action in achieving its objectives, assist participants’ career development, and help establish new and reinforced collaborations. The STSMs directly support a visit to a host organization for specific work to be carried out for a determined period of time. 

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

Financial Support:

Financial support for successful applicants will include up to 4000 EURO per grantee.

Obligations: 

Grantees and host researchers commit to writing a blog post and sending pictures of the STSM for the social media network. 

Reporting and claim for payment of the grant:

Upon the conclusion of the STSM, 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 STSM and planned future follow up activities.

Eligibility:

A short-term scientific mission consists of a visit to a host organization located in a country different from the country of affiliation by a researcher or innovator for the specific work to be carried out and for a determined period of time.

Both Young Researchers and Innovators (YRI) and senior researchers are eligible to apply. STSM applicants must be engaged in an official research programme as a PhD Student or postdoctoral fellow or can be employed by, or affiliated to, an institution, organisation or legal entity which has within its remit a clear association with performing research.

Grantees can perform the mission anywhere in the world, as long as the host organization is in a different country than the grantee's institutional affiliation (and as long as it serves the purpose of the STSM and relates to main activity areas of the OPEN Cost Action).

Priorities:

Special priority will be given to “Young Researchers and Innovators” (YRI) and Researchers from Inclusiveness Target Country. Gender balance will be taken into consideration.

Additional priority will be given to researchers from Ukraine.

Applicants from an Inclusiveness Target Country can request for pre-payment of 50% of the grant.

Timeline:

Open of call: April 30, 2024 

Deadline for application: May 31, 2024, 12:00 PM Brussels time.

Decision process and announcements of results:  June 15 , 2024.

STSM can be carried out from July 2024 until September 30, 2024.

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. For further assistance, please consult the COST STSM userguide.

Required elements of the application:

A) Confirmation letter from your host institution (please append it to your application in e-COST in the supporting documents section)

B) Motivation and work-plan summary (limited to 1000 words), including:

  1. Aim & motivation – Please explain the scientific and/or other motivation for the STSM and what scientific and/or other outcomes you aim to accomplish with the STSM.           
  2. Proposed contribution to the scientific objectives of the Action.
  3. Techniques – Please detail what techniques or equipment you may learn to use, if applicable.
  4. Planning – Please detail the steps you will take to achieve your proposed aim.

C) Dates and duration

D) Bank details

E) Host details

F) Detailed financial support requested:

Total Amount in EUR 4000.

Clarifications:

The COST Association and the Grant Holder of the Action cannot be considered as being an STSM grantee’s employer. STSM grantees must make their own arrangements for all provisions related to personal security, health, taxation, social security and pension matters.

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