COST Academy on COST Action sustainability – Helping Actions in creating lasting follow-ups
Connections enabled by the COST Actions’ research networks offer a strong basis to build long-lasting collaborations, generate new projects and create impact through sustained and coordinated research activities. In many cases, these connections extend beyond the initial four-year duration inherent to each COST Action. To inspire and to further inform on the range of existing possibilities, the COST Academy organised a special event on sustainability of COST Actions this Thursday 10 February 2022.
Dedicated to Chairs of ongoing COST Actions, this online event highlighted ideas and advises to keep the work related to the Actions’ objectives and deliverables ongoing after the end of an Action. As part of the different options, researchers can for example continue to organise common conferences, join forces to apply for successful spin-off projects in Horizon Europe or set-up new associations in the field of their Actions.
Three representatives of past COST Actions with successful follow-ups presented their stories, and helped participants get a better grip on the tangible results these long-lasting relations can steer to.
Prof Marcel Swart of COST Action ECOSTBio (Explicit Control Over Spin-states in Technology and Biochemistry) explained how his Action organised the Quantum Bio-Inorganic Chemistry Society, which now regularly hosts conferences as well as monthly virtual meetings.
Prof Rui A. Alves of COST Action Strengthening Europeans’ capabilities by establishing the European literacy network showed how his Action has been working towards a European Literacy Network (ELN), also involving partners from other Actions in a “network of networks”.
Finally, Dr. Uldis Berkis of COST Action EUROMENE (European Network on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrom) showcased how Actions can create synergies with other widening instruments in Horizon Europe. In the case of EUROMENE, the experience and the connections gained through the COST Action were essential in securing the VirA Twinning project, which is currently still running.
After the presentations, the attendees had the opportunity to exchange on the motivations, challenges, and opportunities of potential COST Actions’ spin-offs. Many Chairs underlined the importance of maintaining the COST “spirit” of bottom-up interdisciplinary networking during these discussions. The importance to secure the long-term impact of the Actions was also stressed, even after the end date of the Action.
COST regularly organises, under the banner of the COST Academy, events, workshops, and trainings to the benefit of the Actions, their leadership and their participants. These initiatives align with the broader COST philosophy of stewardship to COST Actions, working towards helping maximising impact. It is the fifth time that a workshop on this topic is organised with the view of keeping a successful exchange of experience amongst Actions’ Chairs.
Further information