ERRIN: Encouraging regional participation in the COST programme
On Friday 19 November, European Regions Research and Innovation Network, ERRIN, held an online meeting to highlight the COST programme to its members and demonstrate the opportunities available to regions through participation in COST Actions.
The event was opened by Director of ERRIN, Pirita Lindholm, who then passed the floor to Director of the COST Association, Ronald de Bruin, who encouraged participants;
“On a yearly basis, more than 45.000 researchers and innovators experience the COST spirit. It is now your chance to join them. I trust that today you will start a journey in which you will be able to connect with researchers across Europe.”
He continued
“Sharing and spreading knowledge across scientific disciplines, countries, regions and sectors advances ideas as much as it creates opportunities for people. It is reinforced by connecting and collaborating with regional knowledge hubs, research and innovation communities.”
Participants then learnt more about the practicalities of the COST programme. Christer Halen, Policy Administrator for COST, explained what a COST Action was and how researchers could apply, by submitting their own proposal or by joining existing Actions. Administrative Officer, Jeannette Nchung Oru, then gave an overview of which activities are funded by the programme before Dr Deniz Karaca detailed the submission process for COST Action proposals.
“As COST Actions aim to reduce the gap between scientists, policy makers, stakeholders and society as a whole, participants from ERRIN are welcome to join a COST Action at any level, whether it is the Management Committee, a Working Group, or any ad-hoc activity including workshops, conferences, or short-term missions.”
Christer Halen, Policy Administrator for COST
How COST benefits researchers at a regional level
COST offers platforms allowing regional research, technology, development and innovation (RTDI) actors to connect and exchange, as well as raise awareness of their research to local or regional authorities. The programme can also serve as an effective steppingstone to other Horizon Europe projects.
The COST Excellence and Inclusiveness policy aims to bring out excellence and inclusiveness in science Europe-wide, offering low-barrier access to research networks, and creating interdisciplinary research cooperation opportunities for researchers and innovators. Through bottom-up, open and excellence-driven COST Actions and activities, this policy nurtures talent and creativity, by contributing to capacity building and increased connectedness.
A personal account of regional success
Dr Martin O’Halloran, Vice Chair of COST Action, Development of a European-based Collaborative Network to Accelerate Technological, Clinical and Commercialisation Progress in the Area of Medical Microwave Imaging, addressed the important transformative effect of COST networking in Ireland
“Members of Actions from 10 years ago are now taking jobs in western Ireland in small med-tech companies. It is amazing to see the 10/20 years impact a COST Action can have.”
About ERRIN
The European Regions Research and Innovation Network, ERRIN, started as an informal network in 2001. Today, it is a well-established Brussels-based platform of around 120 regional stakeholder organisations from more than 20 European countries, most of whom are represented by their Brussels offices.
Its members are mainly regional authorities, universities, research organisations, chambers of commerce and clusters. Through our 13 Working Groups, ERRIN works with research and innovation in a very comprehensive way, promoting triple and quadruple helix cooperation approaches and the importance of regional innovation ecosystems.
ERRIN facilitates regional collaboration and knowledge exchange to the benefit of all its members and partner organisations, with a view to build a competitive Europe which supports smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth in all regions.
Further reading