Publications

COST Association commissioned Technopolis to conduct an Impact Assessment Study on short-term mobility, which was carried out between March and October 2022. This study assessed 44 Short-term scientific missions (STSMs) of diverse characteristics and duration, through interviewing the researchers involved in the research stays.

The study found that STSMs are utilised for a diverse range of activities and goals, including discussions on research topics, networking opportunities between the grantee and researchers at the host institute, collaborative research, learning new methods, and using the host institution’s research infrastructure. The study also observed that, although STSMs predominantly contribute to the individual beneficiary’s work, they can have impact for several parties involved

2021 has been a special year for COST, celebrating its 50th anniversary and giving rise to many key initiatives and activities. This edition underlines the unique features of the COST Programme and depicts the year’s main highlights, together with facts and figures.

The publication also features some of COST Actions’ success stories demonstrating the importance of COST for careers and scientific networks.

COST’s Final Impact Assessment under Horizon 2020, reflecting on the past seven years’ activities has been carried. The in depth study highlights the massive role played by COST in the European research and innovation landscape and provides an overview of the networking, scientific and societal impacts of COST activities. The Final Impact Assessment addresses the relevance of the COST Programme and also indicates the areas and topics to be developed for the next Framework Programme, Horizon Europe, which starts in November 2021.

The Final Impact Assessment vividly highlights the relevance of COST within the European Research Area (ERA), as an integral and complementary element of the European Framework Programmes. In that respect, COST truly is the largest and most important networking instrument for researchers in Europe.

With a challenging year and many initiatives taking place, this COST Annual Report 2020 highlights the positive developments that occurred as part of the Programme, as well as how  COST Actions have acted and collaborated on  COVID-19 research.

Inside are key facts and figures from the year, as well as success stories demonstrating the importance of COST for careers and scientific networks.

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) celebrates its 50-year anniversary.

This publication offers an extensive overview of COST in the last half century. It is a unique opportunity
to channel the voices of researchers and innovators both past and present through success stories,
testimonials and key milestones.

The COST Cross-Cutting Activity (CCA) on Science Communication brings together outstanding expertise
from over 50 organisations across EU Member States and beyond. Working to raise awareness of science communication and develop best practices for policy makers to stimulate research on science communication in Europe.

For this report a selective group of CCA Members were invited to provide their perspective on the role and relevance of science communication during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Common for the contributions are their focus on new approaches to science-based communication as an essential prerequisite for addressing contemporary health challenges as they cut across disciplines and stakeholders.

Since March 2020, multiple COST Actions have approached the COST Association wanting to collaborate with other Actions on COVID-19 research. In response to these requests, and to make the networking process smoother, COST produced the booklet ‘COST Actions against COVID-19, An interdisciplinary network’, with details of all of the Actions wishing to connect and collaborate

The Impact Assessment Study commissioned by the COST Association to ERDYN and ZSI in January 2019 aimed to evaluate whether participation in COST Actions has positively impacted the careers of researchers and innovators.