On 17 March 2022, more than 130 researchers and research support staff based across the UK joined a virtual COST Info Session organised by the UK Research Office (UKRO). The session was open to all UKRO subscribing organisations.
Opening the session, Judith Litjens, COST Policy Officer, gave a presentation on opportunities that COST provides to researchers and innovators based in the UK and different ways in which UK scientists can get involved in COST Actions. One of the key messages conveyed was the ongoing possibility for researchers and innovators based in the UK to receive COST funding.
The presentation was followed by testimonials from three COST Action participants with different roles in COST Actions: an Action Chair, a researcher who joined a two up-and-running COST Actions, and a young researcher and WG leader.
Prof. David Manlove (University of Glasgow) shared his experience as Chair of COST Action ENCKEP: European Network for Collaboration on Kidney Exchange Programmes (CA15210). He described his experience in a COST leadership position as “very awarding” and provided an impressive overview of key achievements of his COST Action, including publications, Working Group handbooks and widely used digital simulation tools. Moreover, work of the Action has influenced the development of national and transnational kidney exchange programmes (KEPs).
In terms of sustainability, the Action successfully applied for follow-up funding in the form of a COST Innovators Grant (IG15210) to deliver a flexible software product for conducting national and transnational KEPs, suitable for deployment by National Transplantation Organisations. Joint Horizon Europe applications by the network are also in the planning.
An important message conveyed by Prof. Manlove was that the network’s activities and achievements would likely not have been possible without COST.
Dr Bernardino de la Serna (Imperial College London) has joined two running COST Actions over the years. His intervention had a very practical focus, using the COST website to demonstrate the straightforward process of joining an Action:
“In my experience it’s very fast and easy. Actions are very open. I enjoy the benefits of knowing more people and it’s really really rewarding.”
When summarising the steps to be taken, Dr de la Serna advised to “read about the Action’s activities, contact the relevant people, and don’t be afraid! Make sure to apply and get all the benefits that the COST networks offer.”
A Working Group leader in COST Action Non-conventional yeasts for the production of bioproducts (CA18229), Dr Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro (Imperial College London) highlighted the benefits COST Actions offer to young researchers. Dr Amaro’s Working Group consists of 60 participants spread over 30 countries. The opportunity to work together with all these different people has boosted his career development and network in the field:
“Thanks to this Action I have the opportunity to organise meetings for my WG in different countries, participated in the organisation of the Action’s training school, which was a great experience for both students and instructors. As a WG we have created a database, the point is that we generated knowledge that was previously not available or accessible: this achievement would not have been possible without the network.”
Career development of young researchers is a key objective of COST. Dr Ledesma-Amaro highlighted specific opportunities that the COST Action has facilitated for him, including published papers in collaboration with network members and the application for other grants with other Action participants: together with almost half of the participants from the network, he was successful in applying for a Horizon 2020 grant.
As overall benefits of participating in a COST Action, Dr Ledesma-Amaro mentioned the opportunity to “expand your network, gain visibility in the field, and build knowledge for the community. It’s a win-win for everyone”.
UK participation in COST
For more information, discover more information and statistics on the UK’s participation in COST here and the dedicated UK Horizon 2020 factsheet here.
Further information:
COST Action: European Network for Collaboration on Kidney Exchange Programmes (CA15210)
COST Innovators Grant: Software for Transnational Kidney Exchange Programmes (IG15210)
COST Action: Non-conventional yeasts for the production of bioproducts (CA18229)