The Committee focused on the optimisation of efforts during the remaining period of Horizon 2020 and on the preparations for the next Framework Programme. The Committee also focussed on the COST Strategic Plan 2018-2028, which outlines COST’s ambitions and challenges while setting long-term goals to reinforce the position of COST as the leading networking tool in the European Research Area (ERA).
In order to achieve these goals, the plan defines three strategic priorities: 1) Promoting and spreading excellence, 2) Fostering interdisciplinary research for breakthrough science, 3) Empowering and retaining young researchers and innovators. The Strategic Plan also describes how COST will strengthen its core business by expanding the number and reach of COST Actions, while introducing a set of activities to strengthen its position in the European Research Area (ERA).
The document received broad support from the COST Members and the European Commission and is expected to be approved during the 202 nd Extraordinary CSO meeting on 12 December 2017, which will be held in Brussels.
The CSO approved the prolongation of the Targeted Network “The Voice of Research Administrators: building a network of administrative excellence” (BESTPRAC) for a period of 2 years until the end of H2020 with the recommendation of assigning more key leadership positions to ITC.
The Committee of Senior Officials (CSO), Tartu, Estonia October 2017