Description

A short-term scientific mission (STSM) consists of a visit to a host organization located in a different country to the country of affiliation of a Researcher in order to carry out specific work as part of a research project. In addition to research purposes, STSMs are aimed to support researchers’ individual mobility, to strengthen existing networks and to foster collaboration between individuals. The purpose of an STSM is thus to gain new partnerships, to learn new techniques and to gain access to specific data, instruments and/or methods not available in their own institutions/organizations.

Open calls will be published on the official COST Action webpage (https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA24140) until the ONWARD website is operational.

All applications must always be submitted via e-COST, even if the call text is promoted elsewhere.

Selection guidelines

The aim of this call is to promote collaborations across Europe to meet the goals of the ONWARD COST Action. We will strongly support innovative research plans submitted by action participants (with priority given to Young Researcher and Innovator (YRI) and Inclusiveness Target Country (ITC) that reinforce our planned deliverables (with priority given to ONWARD MoU D1, D2, D3, D9, D10, D14, D15, D17 https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA24140/) 

We envision 12-13 Short Term Scientific Missions with up to 2.000 Euros funding covering the costs of travel and living.  If higher costs are justifiable for very specific cases, this will be evaluated and eventually approved. The STSM length should be 1-3 weeks.

The selection committee will also consider to what extent the requested funds are commensurate to the activities that the STSM applicant plans to undertake. 

Timeline:

• Call announcement: 5 December 2025
• Call deadline: Open until 30 June 2026, or until funds are exhausted
• Selection results: Within 30 days after submission of the application
• STSM activities: January- September 2026
• Submission of the report and supporting documents: Reports must be submitted within 30 days after the end of the activity or within 15 days after the end of the Grant Period (30 September 2026 at the latest).

How to apply

Pre STSM

Step 1 – Contact the Grant Holder Representative (Mr. Marcos Núñez Navarro: marcos.nunez@imibic.org) with a Cc to the Training Task Force Leader Prof. Dr. Sandra Mojsova (kostova.sandra@fvm.ukim.edu.mk) and Training Task Force – Co-Leader Dr. Arjana Zerja (zerja.arjana@gmail.com) to inquire about the availability of funding.

Step 2 – If funding is available, login to the on-line registration tool to register the request for a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM)

(https://e-services.cost.eu/activity/grants). The maximum budget limit for a Short Term Scientific Mission (STSM) grant is up to €4,000.00 per grant. You may need to register and to upload your CV as well as other documents, including:

• The STSM application consisting of a summary of the project goal (200 words) a working plan (500 words) and a summary of the expected results (500 words) https://www.cost.eu/STSM_GrantApplication
• Acceptance letter from the host institute (template for optional use provided)
• Letter of Support from home institution (template for optional use provided)
• Motivation letter (template for optional use provided)
• Budget Plan (template for optional use provided)

Step 3 – The application is assessed by the Grant Awarding Coordinator (Prof. Dr. Reimar Johne) and the Training Task Force. If accepted, they will inform the Grant Holder. All evaluations will comply with the COST Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality policy.

Step 4 – Cost Office Acceptance Letter (Grant Letter). If the application is successful, the Grant Holder (GH) will provide the applicant with an Acceptance Letter confirming the approval of the STSM Grant and specifying the amount of financial support awarded.

Post STSM

Reports must be submitted within 30 days after the end of the activity or within 15 days after the end of the Grant Period, whichever comes first.

The grantee receives an e-notification to submit the report and other supporting documents on e-COST, the GH manager and the Grant Awarding Coordinator will be in copy of the notification. The grantee must complete the report template, upload, and submit it in e-COST along with a host approval letter of the report (free style). Please use the official scientific report (using the COST template). A report template is available on-line here: http://www.cost.eu/STSM_report_template

The Grant Awarding Coordinator is notified when the grantee submits the report and must verify the validity and content of the report by clicking the link in the notification. After review of the report by the procedures agreed by the MC, the Grant Awarding Coordinator needs to encode its approval. Upon the recording of the payment, an e-notification is sent to the grantee, with a copy to the Grant Holder manager.

If work resulting from an STSM visit is published in a journal, please add the following acknowledgement: This work is based upon work from COST Action CA24140, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology).

Grantees will be required to write a short report of their experience to be published in the newsletter and to contribute with content (posts, pictures, short videos…) for the Action social media and Website.

For further details please consult the official guide at https://www.cost.eu/uploads/2025/01/COST-Grant-Awarding-user-guide.pdf.