European COoperation in the field of Scientific and

European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical research A New Era has begun for COST

COST mission Strengthen Europe in scientific and technical research for peaceful purposes through the support of cooperation and interaction between European researchers European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research January 2006 2

COST characteristics • Co-ordination through networking • Bottom-up and flexible “a la carte” participation • Pan-European • Multi-disciplinary: wide range of disciplines • “Non-competitive” (pre-normative; public utility) • “Interdisciplinary Exploratoria” • Enabling agent: focus on • National financing of younger researchers and projects – national responsibility • Open to wider cooperation European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research January 2006 3

COST Countries COST Member States The 25 EU Member States u EFTA Member States Iceland Norway Switzerland Candidate Countries Bulgaria Romania Turkey Other Countries Serbia and Montenegro* Croatia* FYR of Macedonia (FYROM)* COST Co-operating States Israel * not associated to FP European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research January 2006 4

What is a COST Action? Council COST Secretariat COMMITTEE OF SENIOR OFFICIALS (CSO) COST National Coordinators COST OFFICE COST Domain Committees (9 June 2006) COST Actions (~200) …. . TUD …… ……. MC Action WGs WORKING GROUPS (NETWORKS) …… ~30. 000 researchers Scientific Domain MC = Management Committee European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research January 2006 5

COST Actions – what is supported? Nationally funded projects (min. 5 signatories) with a joint work programme are supported in: • • • Science management meetings (MC and WG) Scientific workshops and seminars Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) Training Schools and Research Conferences Evaluations and Studies Dissemination European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research January 2006 6

COST Actions – Running Actions 1980 -2005 (Running any time of the year - status 30/11/2005) European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research January 2006 7

CSO Timetable 2005/2006 • 163 rd meeting [Nov 2005] – decisions (among others) on new COST Structure, Open Call, Budget 2006 (incl. . Support for ex-SU, BH, AL & Mediterranean) , Voting Procedures [3/4 majority], Dissemination Policy • 164 th meeting [29 -30 March] – proposals C 24 (Exergy), C 25 (Sustainable Constructions), C 26 (Catastrophic Events) < “old procedure”; UCE quota = 3 • April-May: Open Call • June: Open Call assessment by new DCs • 165 th meeting [27 -28 June] – 2 TUD proposals (“old procedure”); approval of DC Rules of Procedure and Mandates • 166 th meeting [14 -15 Nov] – proposals according to “Open Call” procedure European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research January 2006 8

COST Scientific and Technical Domains The CSO has decided to restructure the scientific and technical Domains in COST in November 2005. Presently the nomination procedure for the Domain committee members is under way. This new committee structure will be in place 1 June 2006. 1. Biomedicine and Molecular Biosciences 2. Food and Agriculture 3. Forests, their Products and Services 4. Materials, Physical & Nanosciences 5. Chemistry and Molecular Sciences & Technologies 6. Earth System Science & Environmental Management 7. Information & Communication Technologies 8. Transport & Urban Development [Constituting Meeting 17 May] 9. Individuals, Society, Culture & Health European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research January 2006 9

Next steps ”Open Call“: • COST published an “Open Call” on 01. 04. 2006 • selection criteria published in a transparent way • emphasis will be on young researchers to foster their joint efforts to become better known and recognised • specific collection dates (first: end May 2006) • 2 stage process / peer reviewed • first Actions following the “Open Call” to start early 2007 European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research January 2006 10

COST Open Call Timetable 1 April – announcement, 1 st phase [on-line abstracts] 31 May – collection date [“deadline” 22: 00 CEST] > 820/720 proposals, 49 in TUD June – allocation to Domains, evaluation by new DCs - notification on selected (75=10 %)/rejected proposals July > 15 September – preparation of full text - nomination of External Experts’ Panel September – independent review, external consultation October – selection & decision by DCs 14 -15 November – final approval by CSO > ca 30 new Actions Early 2007 – expected kick-off (FP 7) European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research January 2006 11

New instrument proposed “Young Investigators Networks” (YIN): • Exclusively for young scientists at postdoc level, (Ph. D + max. 5 years); min. 8 young scientists with international experience from 5 COST member states, holding their first position • Work plan organisation: normally 4 targeted Working Groups • Eligible activities: meetings, Short Term Scientific Missions, seminars, conferences, outreach activities, plus: [centrally organised & funded] special “YIN Conferences” and research management training • Support: 90 k € p. a. (2006 prices) as annual grant for up to 4 years • Pilot case: C 20 (Urban Knowledge Arena) European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research January 2006 12

Further news & changes • Grant funding system > compulsory from 2007 (contract ESF – grant holder/financial administrator (usually chair’s org) > 75+25 %) • COST Day at the EP • New Actions: – March: C 24 Exergy [? ? ], C 25 Sustainable Constructions {after summer], C 26 Constructions under Catastrophic Events [28 June] – June: C 27 Sustainable Strategies for Rural Deprived Areas, 358 Pedestrians’ Quality Needs – Other pending [= recommended by TC but above quota] to be proceeded again – TUD involvement in “Cultural Heritage” (C 17, C 20) • From 15 May > new Science Officer: Marcus Zisenis European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research January 2006 13

Contact: Dr. -Ing. Martin Grabert Director COST Office Av. Louise 149 B 1050 Brussels mgrabert@cost. esf. org tud@cost. esf. org – isilva@cost. esf. org – mzisenis@cost. esf. org European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research January 2006 14

Thank you for your attention European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research January 2006 15