{"id":142,"date":"2020-08-30T19:07:29","date_gmt":"2020-08-30T19:07:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/?page_id=142"},"modified":"2025-10-20T16:20:02","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T14:20:02","slug":"about-cost","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/about\/about-cost\/","title":{"rendered":"About COST"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-base-color has-text-color\" id=\"h-growing-ideas-through-networks\">Growing ideas through networks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) is a funding organisation for the creation of research networks, called&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/cost-actions\/what-are-cost-actions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">COST Actions<\/a>. These networks offer an open space for collaboration among scientists across Europe (and beyond) and thereby give impetus to research advancements and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>COST is bottom up, this means that researchers can create a network \u2013 based on their own research interests and ideas \u2013 by submitting a proposal to the COST Open Call. The proposal can be in any science field. COST Actions are highly interdisciplinary and open. It is possible to join ongoing Actions, which therefore keep expanding over the funding period of four years. They are multi-stakeholder, often involving the private sector, policymakers as well as civil society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Since 1971, COST receives EU funding under the various Research and Innovation Framework Programmes, such as Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"cookieconsent-optin-marketing\"><div class=\"cookieconsent-optin-marketing\"><iframe class=\"no-lazy no-lazy\" data-cookieconsent=\"marketing\" title=\"Why join a COST Action?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Y9XiSrCYbJ8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n            <div class=\"cookieconsent-optout-marketing youtube-placeholder\" style=\"position:relative;text-align:center;padding:40px;background:#f3f4f6;border:1px solid #ddd;border-radius:8px;\">\n                <p style=\"font-size:16px;color:#333;margin:0;\">\n                    This section is blocked until you accept <strong>marketing cookies<\/strong>.\n                <\/p>\n                \n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"cookieconsent-optout-marketing youtube-placeholder\" style=\"position:relative;text-align:center;padding:40px;background:#f3f4f6;border:1px solid #ddd;border-radius:8px;\">\n                <p style=\"font-size:16px;color:#333;margin:0;\">\n                    This section is blocked until you accept <strong>marketing cookies<\/strong>.\n                <\/p>\n               \n            <\/div>\n        \n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>COST funding intends to complement national research funds, as they are exclusively dedicated to cover collaboration activities, such as workshops, conferences, working group meetings, training schools, short-term scientific missions, and dissemination and communication activities. For more information, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/what-do-we-fund\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">please go to the Funding section of this website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The COST Association places emphasis on actively involving researchers from less research-intensive COST Countries (Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs)). Researchers from Near Neighbour Countries (NNCs) and International Partner Countries (IPCs) can also take part in COST Actions, based on mutual benefit. For more information, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/about\/strategy\/cost-global-networking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">please visit the&nbsp;global networking&nbsp;page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-base-color has-text-color\" id=\"h-cost-s-governance-structure\">COST&#8217;s Governance structure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) is an EU-funded, intergovernmental framework with currently 41 Members and 1 Cooperating Member. It has, therefore, a strong reach beyond the European Union. Its main objective is to manage the COST Open Call, dedicated to the creation of pan-European research networks in all science fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The COST Association, an international not-for-profit association under Belgian law, is located in Brussels and carries out all activities related to this Open Call. The COST Association integrates governance, management, and implementation functions into a single structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The COST Members established the COST Association, in September 2013. Its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/about\/who-is-who\/#tabs+Name:Committee%20of%20Senior%20Officials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">decision-making body<\/a> is the general assembly of Members, the&nbsp;Committee of Senior Officials&nbsp;(CSO), other legal bodies are the&nbsp;Executive Board, the Director of the COST Association&nbsp;and the COST Ministerial Conferences, which are organised every five years to gather the support and commitment of the Members\u2019 national governments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each Member and the Cooperating Member Israel nominate a&nbsp;COST National Coordinator (CNCs). The&nbsp;COST Scientific Committee (SC)&nbsp;advises the COST Association about the Open Call, its quality and procedures. Further information on can be found on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/about\/who-is-who\/\">Who is Who page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prof. \u00c5se Gornitzka is the\u00a0President\u00a0of the COST Association. The\u00a0Vice-President\u00a0is Prof.<strong> <\/strong>Zoran\u00a0Popovski. The\u00a0Director of the COST Association\u00a0is Dr Ronald de Bruin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-50-years-of-research-networks\">50 years of research networks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The creation of COST at the Ministerial Conference of 22 and 23 November 1971 was a solution to key challenges that researchers in Europe were facing at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On that date, 19 countries signed the General Resolution, in the form of a Cooperation Agreement, launching the first 7 COST Actions. These countries believed in advancing R&amp;I through the seemingly simple act of bringing people together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>COST was the first European funding programme at the pilot stage of experimental scientific and technological cooperation. For 50 years,&nbsp;COST has laid the foundations for scientific cooperation and to date has involve&nbsp;more than 500,000 researchers in its networking activities. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"922\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/uploads\/2021\/06\/AGENCY_50years_logo_colours21-2_withouttext-scaled-922x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-167725\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/uploads\/2021\/06\/AGENCY_50years_logo_colours21-2_withouttext-scaled-922x1024.webp 922w, https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/uploads\/2021\/06\/AGENCY_50years_logo_colours21-2_withouttext-scaled-270x300.webp 270w, https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/uploads\/2021\/06\/AGENCY_50years_logo_colours21-2_withouttext-scaled-768x853.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/uploads\/2021\/06\/AGENCY_50years_logo_colours21-2_withouttext-scaled-50x56.webp 50w, https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/uploads\/2021\/06\/AGENCY_50years_logo_colours21-2_withouttext-scaled-1600x1776.webp 1600w, https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/uploads\/2021\/06\/AGENCY_50years_logo_colours21-2_withouttext-scaled-1384x1536.webp 1384w, https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/uploads\/2021\/06\/AGENCY_50years_logo_colours21-2_withouttext-scaled-1845x2048.webp 1845w, https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/uploads\/2021\/06\/AGENCY_50years_logo_colours21-2_withouttext-scaled-1200x1332.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 922px) 100vw, 922px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-pink-600-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/50years.cost.eu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Visit our dedicated website &#8217;50 years of COST&#8217;<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-orange-600-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/uploads\/2021\/05\/COST_50-years_brochure-210503.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read our publication &#8217;50 years of research networks&#8217;<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-useful-links\">Useful links<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-blocks-block wp-block-list-of-links\">\n    <ul class=\"list-none pl-3 text-base\" data-aos=\"fade-up\">\n                    <li class=\"mb-1\">\n                <a\n                    class=\"flex items-center hover:text-orange-500 transition-colors duration-200\"\n                    href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Y9XiSrCYbJ8\"\n                    target=\"_blank\"\n                    title=\"Why join a COST Action? (Video)\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"text-orange-500\">\n                        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa  fal fa-long-arrow-right\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"color:currentColor\"><!-- Font Awesome Pro 5.15.3 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) --><path d=\"M311.03 131.515l-7.071 7.07c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971L387.887 239H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v10c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h375.887l-83.928 83.444c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971l7.071 7.07c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.97 0l116.485-116c4.686-4.686 4.686-12.284 0-16.971L328 131.515c-4.686-4.687-12.284-4.687-16.97 0z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"ml-3\">Why join a COST Action? (Video)<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                    <li class=\"mb-1\">\n                <a\n                    class=\"flex items-center hover:text-orange-500 transition-colors duration-200\"\n                    href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/corporate_brochure\"\n                    target=\"\"\n                    title=\"Growing ideas through networks (Brochure)\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"text-orange-500\">\n                        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa  fal fa-long-arrow-right\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"color:currentColor\"><!-- Font Awesome Pro 5.15.3 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) --><path d=\"M311.03 131.515l-7.071 7.07c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971L387.887 239H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v10c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h375.887l-83.928 83.444c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971l7.071 7.07c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.97 0l116.485-116c4.686-4.686 4.686-12.284 0-16.971L328 131.515c-4.686-4.687-12.284-4.687-16.97 0z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"ml-3\">Growing ideas through networks (Brochure)<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                    <li class=\"mb-1\">\n                <a\n                    class=\"flex items-center hover:text-orange-500 transition-colors duration-200\"\n                    href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/action-booklet\"\n                    target=\"\"\n                    title=\"Join an Action (Booklet)\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"text-orange-500\">\n                        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa  fal fa-long-arrow-right\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"color:currentColor\"><!-- Font Awesome Pro 5.15.3 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) --><path d=\"M311.03 131.515l-7.071 7.07c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971L387.887 239H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v10c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h375.887l-83.928 83.444c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971l7.071 7.07c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.97 0l116.485-116c4.686-4.686 4.686-12.284 0-16.971L328 131.515c-4.686-4.687-12.284-4.687-16.97 0z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"ml-3\">Join an Action (Booklet)<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                    <li class=\"mb-1\">\n                <a\n                    class=\"flex items-center hover:text-orange-500 transition-colors duration-200\"\n                    href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/uploads\/2022\/04\/20220419_COST-Association_-Statutes_EN.pdf\"\n                    target=\"\"\n                    title=\"Statutes of the COST Association\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"text-orange-500\">\n                        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa  fal fa-long-arrow-right\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"color:currentColor\"><!-- Font Awesome Pro 5.15.3 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) --><path d=\"M311.03 131.515l-7.071 7.07c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971L387.887 239H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v10c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h375.887l-83.928 83.444c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971l7.071 7.07c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.97 0l116.485-116c4.686-4.686 4.686-12.284 0-16.971L328 131.515c-4.686-4.687-12.284-4.687-16.97 0z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"ml-3\">Statutes of the COST Association<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                    <li class=\"mb-1\">\n                <a\n                    class=\"flex items-center hover:text-orange-500 transition-colors duration-200\"\n                    href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20201202-Internal-Rules-of-the-COST-Association.pdf\"\n                    target=\"\"\n                    title=\"Internal Rules of the COST Association\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"text-orange-500\">\n                        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa  fal fa-long-arrow-right\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"color:currentColor\"><!-- Font Awesome Pro 5.15.3 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) --><path d=\"M311.03 131.515l-7.071 7.07c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971L387.887 239H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v10c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h375.887l-83.928 83.444c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971l7.071 7.07c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.97 0l116.485-116c4.686-4.686 4.686-12.284 0-16.971L328 131.515c-4.686-4.687-12.284-4.687-16.97 0z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"ml-3\">Internal Rules of the COST Association<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-blocks-block wp-block-list-of-links\">\n    <ul class=\"list-none pl-3 text-base\" data-aos=\"fade-up\">\n                    <li class=\"mb-1\">\n                <a\n                    class=\"flex items-center hover:text-orange-500 transition-colors duration-200\"\n                    href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/uploads\/2025\/03\/COST-Annual-Report-2024.pdf\"\n                    target=\"\"\n                    title=\"Annual Report 2024\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"text-orange-500\">\n                        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa  fal fa-long-arrow-right\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"color:currentColor\"><!-- Font Awesome Pro 5.15.3 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) --><path d=\"M311.03 131.515l-7.071 7.07c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971L387.887 239H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v10c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h375.887l-83.928 83.444c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971l7.071 7.07c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.97 0l116.485-116c4.686-4.686 4.686-12.284 0-16.971L328 131.515c-4.686-4.687-12.284-4.687-16.97 0z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"ml-3\">Annual Report 2024<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                    <li class=\"mb-1\">\n                <a\n                    class=\"flex items-center hover:text-orange-500 transition-colors duration-200\"\n                    href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/publication\/cost-annual-report-2023\/\"\n                    target=\"\"\n                    title=\"Annual Report 2023\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"text-orange-500\">\n                        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa  fal fa-long-arrow-right\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"color:currentColor\"><!-- Font Awesome Pro 5.15.3 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) --><path d=\"M311.03 131.515l-7.071 7.07c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971L387.887 239H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v10c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h375.887l-83.928 83.444c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971l7.071 7.07c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.97 0l116.485-116c4.686-4.686 4.686-12.284 0-16.971L328 131.515c-4.686-4.687-12.284-4.687-16.97 0z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"ml-3\">Annual Report 2023<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                    <li class=\"mb-1\">\n                <a\n                    class=\"flex items-center hover:text-orange-500 transition-colors duration-200\"\n                    href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/cost-annual_report-2022\/\"\n                    target=\"\"\n                    title=\"Annual Report 2022\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"text-orange-500\">\n                        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa  fal fa-long-arrow-right\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"color:currentColor\"><!-- Font Awesome Pro 5.15.3 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) --><path d=\"M311.03 131.515l-7.071 7.07c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971L387.887 239H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v10c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h375.887l-83.928 83.444c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971l7.071 7.07c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.97 0l116.485-116c4.686-4.686 4.686-12.284 0-16.971L328 131.515c-4.686-4.687-12.284-4.687-16.97 0z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"ml-3\">Annual Report 2022<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                    <li class=\"mb-1\">\n                <a\n                    class=\"flex items-center hover:text-orange-500 transition-colors duration-200\"\n                    href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/cost_annual_report_2021\/\"\n                    target=\"\"\n                    title=\"Annual Report 2021\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"text-orange-500\">\n                        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa  fal fa-long-arrow-right\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"color:currentColor\"><!-- Font Awesome Pro 5.15.3 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) --><path d=\"M311.03 131.515l-7.071 7.07c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971L387.887 239H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v10c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h375.887l-83.928 83.444c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971l7.071 7.07c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.97 0l116.485-116c4.686-4.686 4.686-12.284 0-16.971L328 131.515c-4.686-4.687-12.284-4.687-16.97 0z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"ml-3\">Annual Report 2021<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                    <li class=\"mb-1\">\n                <a\n                    class=\"flex items-center hover:text-orange-500 transition-colors duration-200\"\n                    href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/cost-annual-report-2020-2\/\"\n                    target=\"\"\n                    title=\"Annual Report 2020\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"text-orange-500\">\n                        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa  fal fa-long-arrow-right\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"color:currentColor\"><!-- Font Awesome Pro 5.15.3 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) --><path d=\"M311.03 131.515l-7.071 7.07c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971L387.887 239H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v10c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h375.887l-83.928 83.444c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971l7.071 7.07c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.97 0l116.485-116c4.686-4.686 4.686-12.284 0-16.971L328 131.515c-4.686-4.687-12.284-4.687-16.97 0z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"ml-3\">Annual Report 2020<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                    <li class=\"mb-1\">\n                <a\n                    class=\"flex items-center hover:text-orange-500 transition-colors duration-200\"\n                    href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/cost-annual-report-2020\/\"\n                    target=\"\"\n                    title=\"Annual Report 2019\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"text-orange-500\">\n                        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa  fal fa-long-arrow-right\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"color:currentColor\"><!-- Font Awesome Pro 5.15.3 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) --><path d=\"M311.03 131.515l-7.071 7.07c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971L387.887 239H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v10c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h375.887l-83.928 83.444c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971l7.071 7.07c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.97 0l116.485-116c4.686-4.686 4.686-12.284 0-16.971L328 131.515c-4.686-4.687-12.284-4.687-16.97 0z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"ml-3\">Annual Report 2019<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                    <li class=\"mb-1\">\n                <a\n                    class=\"flex items-center hover:text-orange-500 transition-colors duration-200\"\n                    href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/cost_ar2018\/\"\n                    target=\"\"\n                    title=\"Annual Report 2018\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"text-orange-500\">\n                        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa  fal fa-long-arrow-right\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"color:currentColor\"><!-- Font Awesome Pro 5.15.3 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) --><path d=\"M311.03 131.515l-7.071 7.07c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971L387.887 239H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v10c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h375.887l-83.928 83.444c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971l7.071 7.07c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.97 0l116.485-116c4.686-4.686 4.686-12.284 0-16.971L328 131.515c-4.686-4.687-12.284-4.687-16.97 0z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"ml-3\">Annual Report 2018<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-further-reading\">Further reading<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-blocks-block wp-block-list-of-links\">\n    <ul class=\"list-none pl-3 text-base\" data-aos=\"fade-up\">\n                    <li class=\"mb-1\">\n                <a\n                    class=\"flex items-center hover:text-orange-500 transition-colors duration-200\"\n                    href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/research-and-innovation_en\"\n                    target=\"_blank\"\n                    title=\"European Research Area (ERA)\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"text-orange-500\">\n                        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa  fal fa-long-arrow-right\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"color:currentColor\"><!-- Font Awesome Pro 5.15.3 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) --><path d=\"M311.03 131.515l-7.071 7.07c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971L387.887 239H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v10c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h375.887l-83.928 83.444c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971l7.071 7.07c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.97 0l116.485-116c4.686-4.686 4.686-12.284 0-16.971L328 131.515c-4.686-4.687-12.284-4.687-16.97 0z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"ml-3\">European Research Area (ERA)<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                    <li class=\"mb-1\">\n                <a\n                    class=\"flex items-center hover:text-orange-500 transition-colors duration-200\"\n                    href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/research-and-innovation\/funding\/funding-opportunities\/funding-programmes-and-open-calls\/horizon-europe_en\"\n                    target=\"_blank\"\n                    title=\"Horizon Europe\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"text-orange-500\">\n                        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa  fal fa-long-arrow-right\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"color:currentColor\"><!-- Font Awesome Pro 5.15.3 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) --><path d=\"M311.03 131.515l-7.071 7.07c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971L387.887 239H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v10c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h375.887l-83.928 83.444c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971l7.071 7.07c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.97 0l116.485-116c4.686-4.686 4.686-12.284 0-16.971L328 131.515c-4.686-4.687-12.284-4.687-16.97 0z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"ml-3\">Horizon Europe<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                    <li class=\"mb-1\">\n                <a\n                    class=\"flex items-center hover:text-orange-500 transition-colors duration-200\"\n                    href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/about\/about-cost\/western-balkan-countries\/\"\n                    target=\"\"\n                    title=\"Western Balkan Countries\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"text-orange-500\">\n                        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa  fal fa-long-arrow-right\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"color:currentColor\"><!-- Font Awesome Pro 5.15.3 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) --><path d=\"M311.03 131.515l-7.071 7.07c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971L387.887 239H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v10c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h375.887l-83.928 83.444c-4.686 4.686-4.686 12.284 0 16.971l7.071 7.07c4.686 4.686 12.284 4.686 16.97 0l116.485-116c4.686-4.686 4.686-12.284 0-16.971L328 131.515c-4.686-4.687-12.284-4.687-16.97 0z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"ml-3\">Western Balkan Countries<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Growing ideas through networks The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) is a funding organisation for the creation of research networks, called&nbsp;COST Actions. These networks offer an open space for collaboration among scientists across Europe (and beyond) and thereby give impetus to research advancements and innovation. COST is bottom up, this means that researchers can create a network \u2013 based on their own research interests and ideas \u2013 by submitting a proposal to the COST Open Call. The proposal can be in any science field. COST Actions are highly interdisciplinary and open. It is possible to join ongoing Actions, which therefore keep expanding over the funding period of four years. They are multi-stakeholder, often involving the private sector, policymakers as well as civil society. Since 1971, COST receives EU funding under the various Research and Innovation Framework Programmes, such as Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. COST funding intends to complement national research funds, as they are exclusively dedicated to cover collaboration activities, such as workshops, conferences, working group meetings, training schools, short-term scientific missions, and dissemination and communication activities. For more information, please go to the Funding section of this website. The COST Association places emphasis on actively involving&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":140470,"parent":16,"menu_order":60,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-142","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>About COST - Funding Research Networking<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"COST is a European funding organisation supporting trans-national cooperation among researchers across Europe. Learn more about COST.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/about\/about-cost\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"COST\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/COST.Programme\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-20T14:20:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/uploads\/2022\/08\/What_are_COST_Actions.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"603\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"386\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@costprogramme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/about\/about-cost\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/about\/about-cost\/\",\"name\":\"About COST - Funding Research Networking\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/about\/about-cost\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/about\/about-cost\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.cost.eu\/uploads\/2022\/08\/What_are_COST_Actions.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-08-30T19:07:29+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-20T14:20:02+00:00\",\"description\":\"COST is a European funding organisation supporting trans-national cooperation among researchers across Europe. 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