Early Stage Researchers
The definition of the term “early stage researchers” used in this document is based on the time that
elapses between the date of the PhD/doctorate (or similar experience) and the date of involvement
in the COST Action. If this time span is less than 8 years, a person fits the definition; of course,
periods of career’s leave have to be added to the time span mentioned.
(from COST Document 295/09 mentioned below)
Cost Document 295/09 “COST Strategy towards increased support of early stage
researchers as approved by the CSO at its 176th meeting on 1 – 2 December 2009”:
this document can be downloaded from ……….
Conference Grants for ESRs
- Each Domain offers 3 supporting grants (max. 3000 € each) per year for ESR to participate in an international conference (oral contribution) outside of the COST Action activities.
- ESR = (see new definition above)
- Grant can be used to cover travel and subsistence costs, conference fees, and the costs of conference workshops.
- Selection Process (COST 212/07, Annex 4) by written procedure.
- Written application through the COST Office Science Officer to the Core Group of the DC through the Action’s MC.
- Selection based on a list of criteria defined by the DC (see below).
- Final decision taken by written procedure by DC Chair and 2 members of the Core Group.
- After: applicant must send report to Action for MC approval to be forwarded to SO for DC.
Selection criteria:
- ESR required, post-doc or PhD preferably
- Applicant strongly involved in COST Action required, evidenced by at least 2 Action related publications with at least 1 in a peer review journal
- Applicant started with the Action in a new field preferred, plans to use conference to establish contacts in the new field
- Description of the conference required, European conference preferred
- Conference with contributions from industry preferred
- Oral contribution from the applicant required, mentioning COST Action
Procedure:
- *Apply as soon as oral contribution accepted (*You can apply before oral contribution accepted by the conference. DC can approve the application on condition that it will be accepted for oral contribution)
- send to Chair of Action luca.uzielli@unifi.it (for MC approval of the application) and to Science Officer (cwhelan@cost.esf.org) :
- CV, letter of motivation addressing above and including financial breakdown of expected main expenses (flight, accommodation, conference fees), description of the conference with web link, proof of abstract acceptance for oral contribution
- if application accepted, Administrative Officer sends letter of acceptance, Applicant completes before conference and payment request form submitted with report (see above)
(The above information extracted from the presentation “Update from the COST Office”
prepared by Caroline M. Whelan – Science Officer MPNS – for the 5th MC meeting of COST Action IE0601, Hamburg, Germany, the 7th and 9th October 2009)