Georgia: High-level meeting reflects on success and looks to further increase participation
Participation in COST activities by researchers from Georgia has grown threefold throughout Horizon 2020, with strong participation in fields related to math, computer and medical sciences.
On Tuesday 7th December, COST warmly welcomed a delegation from Georgia at its premises in Brussels, Belgium. Representatives in attendance, included, Dr Mikheil Chkhenkeli, Minister of Education and Science and Vakhtang Makharoblishvili Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Head of Mission of Georgia to the EU.
The high-level meeting proved to be very positive and fruitful with discussions centering on Georgian participation in COST activities and potential for growing representation even further during Horizon Europe.
Georgian participation in COST – a growing story of success
COST Actions are an effective tool for Georgian researchers to participate in international research activities and consequently grow their ideas and research networks. Researchers from the country currently participate in 31 COST Actions, with strong representation in the fields of mathematics, medical and computer sciences. Georgian researchers are welcome to participate in ongoing COST Actions, prepare proposals for new Actions and also to become external experts, a vital role ensuring the fair, inclusive and transparent nature of the awarding of COST Action funding.
Georgia joins Horizon Europe
Georgia signed an agreement on the 7th December, granting the country association status to the EU’s research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe, which is foreseen to run from 2021-2027. The agreement will enable researchers from the country to participate in the €95.5 billion programme, under the same conditions as entities from EU Member States.
Further reading
Georgia signs agreement to participate in Horizon Europe
Moldova and Georgia Info Days inspire future COST Action researchers