Overview
The European Cooperation in Science and Technology, known as COST, funds international research and innovation networks called COST Actions.
- These Actions bring together researchers and innovators to collaborate on a topic of their choice for 4 years.
- They are open to all areas of science and technology and can involve academic and non-academic organisations.
- They can be disciplinary or multidisciplinary including emerging topics.
- They fund the activities needed to build and develop a network, they do not fund the research itself.
UK entities including academics, businesses and others may participate in or lead COST Actions as the UK is a Full Member State. You can view the Full Member State list on the Cost website.
What COST Actions funds
COST funds networking and leadership activities that help researchers and innovators collaborate, exchange knowledge and develop international research communities. It does not fund research staff, equipment or direct research costs.
Who this is for
COST is open to researchers and innovators from all areas of science and technology and at all career stages.
It may be relevant for people working in:
- universities and research organisations
- businesses, start-ups and SMEs
- public authorities and public sector organisations
- charities and civil society organisations
- professional and learned societies
- healthcare, cultural and education organisations
- other organisations involved in research and innovation.
COST Actions can bring together participants from academia, businesses, public institutions and other relevant organisations.
They are particularly useful for people who want to:
- develop an international research network
- connect separate research activities
- explore an emerging or interdisciplinary topic
- build links between academic and non-academic organisations
- develop skills and career opportunities
- prepare future collaborative research proposals.
Participants do not need to hold a permanent academic position, but they will normally need an appropriate organisational or professional affiliation.
Eligibility
UK-based researchers and innovators can:
- propose and lead a new COST Action
- join an existing COST Action
- take part in networking and training activities
- receive funding for eligible COST activities
- act as independent external experts
- represent the UK in Management Committees in actions where they are Proposers and/or Working Group members.
The UK is a founding and full participating member of COST.
A proposal for a new COST Action must be submitted by a network of proposers from eligible COST countries. The detailed country, network and proposal requirements are set out in the current Open Call documents on the COST website.
COST Actions must:
- address a research or innovation topic selected by the proposers
- involve international collaboration
- be open, inclusive and interdisciplinary where appropriate
- support peaceful purposes
- provide clear added value through networking.
Eligibility requirements differ when proposing a new Action, joining an existing Action or applying for an activity grant. Always check the current rules and the requirements of the individual Action.
Ways to participate
There are 2 main ways to take part in COST.
Propose a new COST Action
The COST Open Call allows researchers and innovators to propose a new international network on a topic of their choice. Proposals are submitted through e-COST and assessed through a competitive evaluation and selection process.
Join an existing COST Action
Existing Actions remain open to new participants throughout their 4-year duration. You can search for an Action related to your interests and contact its representatives to ask about joining its Working Groups or activities.
Next steps
- Decide whether you want to propose a new COST Action or join an existing network.
- Read on their website the COST Open Call documents and proposers’ guidelines for the latest eligibility rules, proposal requirements and submission deadline. Please note that these have been updated in 2026.
- Build an international network of proposers and agree the Action’s objectives, activities, areas of expertise and expected impact.
- Contact the COST National Contact Point for guidance and support.
You will need to create an e-COST account before you can submit a proposal or manage your participation in a COST Action.
**COST does not use the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, EU Login or Participant Identification Codes for its application process.