Calls for Grants

Applicants shall not receive different overlapping grants during the same grant period.

Action summary

Mobility of Researchers and Innovators

Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSM) and Virtual Mobility (VM) grants support:

Capacity building and transfer of knowledge, particularly for Young Researchers and Innovators, through enabling bilateral/multilateral collaborative work and provision of training.
Activities in specific / general topics to achieve the objectives and deliverables (research coordination) of ‘ICPLASTIC’.
The creation of new networks and collaborations and the consolidation of existing ones, including both interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral (e.g., academia and industry / SMEs), with potential impact on career development, including through mentorship by qualified professionals.
Activities that lead to the generation of outcomes (e.g. spin-off publications, funded projects and the organisation of conferences/workshops or schools etc) that contribute to the visibility and impact of COST Actions, encouraging other researchers to join.

o STSM Grants

Short Term Scientific Mission (STSM) grants fund secondments of researchers and innovators to carry out specific work for a determined amount of time at a host organisation in a different country to that of their affiliation, in doing so supporting individual mobility, strengthening existing research networks and fostering collaboration between researchers.
An STSM must directly fit within the scope of one or more of the Working Groups of the COST Action CA23131 ‘ICPLASTIC’ and specifically contribute to one or more of its objectives as seen in the ICPLASTIC MoU.
They are great opportunities for researchers to share/learn techniques, gain skills, gain access to specific data, instruments and/ or methods that may not be available at their home institution or laboratory.

STSM

- Successful applicants will receive a contribution of up to 2500€ (subject to availability of funds and Grant Holder approval) towards their costs of transport, accommodation, subsistence, implementation of the work undertaken and the delivery of a report on that work, and overall effort.

- Grants awarded, including their amount, are approved by the Core Group from proposals presented to them by the Grant Award Coordination Committee following the evaluations of applications using criteria established by the Core Group.

- For the amount awarded the criteria includes the consideration of the applicant’s proposal, including the duration of the STSM and its location.

Successful applicants (STSM grantees) are required:

- to submit within 30 days after the STSM ends, or 15 days after the end of the Grant period, whichever is the sooner, a report to the Host Institution, Vice Chair, appropriate Working Group Leader and Grant Awarding Coordinator for approval by the Core Group. Failure to do so will effectively cancel the grant. The report should contain:

- A scientific report using the COST template, describing the work carried out, its main achievements and planned follow up activities.

- An official letter/confirmation by the Host Institution of the successful execution of the STSM.

Once the report is approved and the payment request submitted, the payment of the STSM grant will be carried out by bank transfer to the grantee’s bank.

- to present the results of the STSM during internal meetings or events organized by ICPLASTIC (e.g. Core Group or Working Group meetings).

- to acknowledge in any scientific journal publication or (inter)national conference (oral or poster) presentation where results from the STSM are disseminated, the support of the COST Action CA23131 ICPLASTIC according to the COST guidelines on visual identity, as follows: “This article/publication/contribution is based upon work from COST Action CA23131 ISO compatible, efficient and reproducible protocols/equipment for mICro-nanoPLASTIC detection through machine-learning – ICPLASTIC, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). www.cost.eu” Posters should also include the COST and EU logos as specified in the guidelines on visual identity (see COST visual identity).

Any researcher affiliated to a legal entity located in a COST Full/Cooperating Member, a Near Neighbour country (NNC) or a European RTD can apply for an STSM. An affiliation is considered as any form of recognized relationship between the individual and a legal entity. The Host Institution must be in a country different to that of the Institution to which the applicant is affiliated. The activity of STSMs can take place anywhere in the world. Priority, in this order, will be given to applicants: from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs)/Near Neighbour Countries (NNCs), of underrepresented genders and less than 40 years old (Young Researchers and Innovators).

Following registration on E-COST, the applicant must develop the proposal jointly with a research team participating in the Action, being at the Host Institute, before submitting it via the dedicated COST online tool. It shall include:

- The COST STSM application form, within which the applicant must clearly describe the goal of the proposed STSM and how the expected outputs contribute to the objectives of the ICPLASTIC COST Action (either research coordination and/or capacity building objectives), the description of work to be carried out, as well as the exact start and end dates of the STSM.

- A motivation letter

- The applicants CV (to be included within the E-COST profile of the applicant).

- A letter of invitation from the Host Institution, stating that the STSM can be performed within the given dates should the application be approved.

- A letter of support from the Institution to which the applicant is affiliated.

- A justification for the requested budget, i.e. transport accommodation, subsistence costs.

It should be noted that the Applicant must obtain an agreement with the Host Institution before submitting the application.

STSM Grant Calls

o VM Grants

Virtual Mobility (VM) grants fund online collaborations among researchers or innovators to exchange knowledge, learn new techniques, etc.

A VM must directly fit within the scope of one or more of the Working Groups of the COST Action CA23131 ‘ICPLASTIC’ and specifically contribute to one or more of its objectives as seen in the ICPLASTIC MoU.

‘ICPLASTIC’ expects to fund activities such as the following:
- Virtual mentoring schemes, with special focus on activities and exchanges that can generate capacity building and new skills, particularly for Young Researchers and Innovators.
- The harmonisation and standardisation of methods and procedures used within the Action.
- The implementation of research coordination related activities that do not necessarily require in person presence.

- Successful applicants will receive a contribution of up to 1500€ (subject to availability of funds and Grant Holder approval) towards their costs of undertaking the collaborative work, not necessarily covered by an employer or by a Grant Holder institution. and the delivery of a report on that work, and overall effort.

- For the amount awarded the criteria includes the consideration of the applicant’s proposal, including the duration, scope and complexity of the task and activities to be undertaken.

Successful applicants (VM grantees) are required:

- to submit within 30 days after the VM ends, or 15 days after the end of the Grant period, whichever is the sooner, a report to the Action Chair, appropriate Working Group Leader and Grant Awarding Coordinator for approval by the Core Group. Failure to do so will effectively cancel the grant. The report should contain:

- The report should contain:

- A scientific report using the COST template, describing the work carried out, its main outcomes, achieved outputs and planned follow up activities.

- An official letter/confirmation by the Collaborating Institutions(s) of the successful execution of the VM, as relevant.

Once the report is approved and the payment request submitted, the payment of the VM grant will be carried out by bank transfer to the grantee’s bank.

- to present the results of the VM during internal meetings or events organized by ICPLASTIC (e.g. Core Group or Working Group meetings).

- to acknowledge in any scientific journal publication or (inter)national conference (oral or poster) presentation where results from the VM are disseminated, the support of the COST Action CA23131 ICPLASTIC according to the COST guidelines on visual identity, as follows: “This article/publication/contribution is based upon work from COST Action CA23131 ISO compatible, efficient and reproducible protocols/equipment for mICro-nanoPLASTIC detection through machine-learning – ICPLASTIC, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). www.cost.eu” Posters should also include the COST and EU logos as specified in the guidelines on visual identity (see COST visual identity).

Any researcher affiliated to a legal entity located in a COST Full/Cooperating Member, a Near Neighbour country (NNC) or a European RTD can apply for an VM. An affiliation is considered as any form of recognized relationship between the individual and a legal entity. Priority, in this order, will be given to applicants: from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs)/Near Neighbour Countries (NNCs), of underrepresented genders and less than 40 years old (Young Researchers and Innovators).

Following registration on E-COST, the applicant must develop the proposal jointly with a research team participating in the Action, before submitting it via the dedicated COST online tool. It shall include:

- The COST VM application form, within which the applicant must clearly describe the goal of the proposed VM and how the expected outputs contribute to the objectives of the ICPLASTIC COST Action (either research coordination and/or capacity building objectives), the description of work to be carried out, as well as the exact start and end dates of the VM.

- A motivation letter

- The applicants CV (to be included within the E-COST profile of the applicant).

- A letter of invitation from the Collaborating Institution(s), stating that the VM can be performed within the given dates should the application be approved.

- A letter of support from the Institution to which the applicant is affiliated.

- A justification for the requested budget.

It should be noted that the Applicant must obtain an agreement with the Collaborating Institution(s) before submitting the application.

VM Grant Calls

Presentations at Conferences Organised by 3rd parties

Applicants to Conference Grants shall only apply to one type of conference grant in the current period.

o YRI Conference Grants

Young Researcher and Innovator (YRI) conference grants fund YRIs to present their own work, that is within the scope of ‘ICPLASTIC’, orally or as a poster, at a high-level conference fully organised by a 3rd party, i.e. not (co)organised by ‘ICPLASTIC’. In doing so they:
• Serve the COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy
• Support YRIs to establish a strong network with potential new contacts for future collaborations and increase their visibility in the research community through sharing their work and gaining knowledge
• Can contribute to increasing the visibility of ‘ICPLASTIC’.

YRI

- Successful applicants will receive a contribution of up to 1500€ (subject to availability of funds and Grant Holder approval) towards their costs of transport, accommodation, subsistence, registration fee and overall effort.

- For the amount awarded the criteria includes the consideration of the fee, duration and location of the conference, and whether the presentation is to take place in person or online.

- Payments are made after the Conference therefore:

- Applicants must have prior financial support e.g. from their affiliated institution and approval from their Institution. Consequently, the reimbursement can be paid either to a private or to an institutional account, should the affiliated institution give prior financial support.

- Applicants should contract suitable travel cancellation insurance prior to making any travel reservations in case their presentation is later changed from face to face to online as awarded amounts will be reduced correspondingly prior to payment.

Successful applicants (YRI Conference grantees) are required:

- to submit within 30 days after the Conference ends, or 15 days after the end of the Grant period, whichever is the sooner, a report to their Affiliated Institution, Action Chair, Vice Chair, and Grant Awarding Coordinator for approval by the Core Group. Failure to do so will effectively cancel the grant. The report should contain:

- A report using the COST template on the outcome of the presentation of the accepted contribution, in terms of grantee’s visibility, including the establishment of new contacts for future collaborations.

- The certificate of actual attendance, indicating in person or online.

- The programme of the conference or book of abstracts / proceedings indicating the presentation (oral or poster) of the grantee.

- A copy of the given presentation (oral or poster).

Once the report is approved, the applicant then submits their Payment Request form, upon its processing the payment of the YRI Conference grant will be carried out by bank transfer to the grantee’s bank.

- to present the results disseminated at the Conference during internal meetings or events organized by ICPLASTIC (eg. Core Group or Working Group meetings) and accept that they may be used as part of the Communication Strategy of the Action.

Any researcher affiliated to a legal entity located in a COST Full/Cooperating Member or in Near Neighbour Countries (NNCs) can apply for a YRI Conference Grant. An affiliation is considered as any form of recognized relationship between the individual and a legal entity. Priority, in this order, will be given to applicants: of underrepresented genders and from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs)/Near Neighbour Countries (NNCs). In addition, the following must be observed:

- The applicant’s contribution (of their own work) must be listed in the official event/conference program and its main subject must be a topic of the Action ICPLASTIC.

- The work presented during the conference must mention explicitly and acknowledge the support of the COST Action CA23131 ICPLASTIC according to the COST guidelines on visual identity as follows: “This article/publication/contribution is based upon work from COST Action CA23131 ISO compatible, efficient and reproducible protocols/equipment for mICro-nanoPLASTIC detection through machine-learning – ICPLASTIC, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)”.

Following registration on E-COST, the applicant must their application via the dedicated COST online tool. It shall include:

- The COST YRI Conference application form, within which the applicant must clearly describe

- how the scientific scope of the results to be presented fit both to the Conference topic and to the Action ICPLASTIC and how they contribute to the achievement of its scientific objectives.

- the motivation describing the potential for impact on the applicant’s career.

- Title of the presentation

- A copy of the abstract

- Conference title, date (within the active Grant Period) and country

- The acceptance letter (or invitation) from the conference organisers for the work to be presented. If not available, the evaluation of the application can be processed by uploading a screenshot of the conference website indicating the expected date of notification of abstract acceptance. However, the upload of the acceptance letter will be mandatory for the final attribution of the grant.

- The applicants CV (to be included within the E-COST profile of the applicant).

- ID student card and approval of supervisor in the case of a PhD student.

- A justification for the requested budget

The Grant Holder will e-mail successful applicants with a Grant letter demonstrating official approval of the YRI Conference Grant application, a “Payment Request” document (to be completed and submitted after their ‘post conference’ report is approved) and the amount of the award. Failure to sign and return the Grant letter within 5 working days will be considered as an unsuccessful application. All unsuccessful applicants will be directly informed by the Grant Awarding Coordinator via e-mail.

YRI Conference Grant Calls

o ITC Conference Grants

Inclusiveness Target Country (ITC) conference grants fund Researchers and Innovators who are ‘ICPLASTIC’ participants and are affiliated to a legal entity an ITC or Near Neighbouring Country (NNC), to present their work, that is within the scope of ‘ICPLASTIC’, orally at a high-level conference fully organised by a 3rd party, i.e. not (co)organised by ‘ICPLASTIC’. In doing so they:
• Serve the COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy
• Support ‘ICPLASTC’ Participants affiliated to a legal entity located in an ITC/ NNC to establish a strong network and increase their visibility in the research community through sharing their work and to gain knowledge;
• Can contribute to increasing visibility of ‘ICPLASTIC’.

ITC

- For the amount awarded the criteria includes the consideration of the fee, duration and location of the conference, and whether the presentation is to take place in person or online.

- Payments are made after the Conference therefore:

Successful applicants (ITC Conference grantees) are required:

- The certificate of actual attendance, indicating in person or online.

- The programme of the conference or book of abstracts / proceedings indicating the oral presentation of the grantee.

- A copy of the given oral presentation.

Once the report is approved, the applicant then submits their Payment Request form, upon its processing the payment of the ITC Conference grant will be carried out by bank transfer to the grantee’s bank.

Any researcher within the COST Action ICPLASTIC that is affiliated to a legal entity located in an Inclusiveness Target Country or Near Neighbour country (NNC) can apply for an ITC Conference Grant. An affiliation is considered as any form of recognized relationship between the individual and a legal entity. Priority, in this order, will be given to applicants: of underrepresented genders and less than 40 years old (Young Researchers and Innovators). In addition, the following must be observed:

- The applicant’s contribution (of their own work) must be listed in the official event/conference program and its main subject must be a topic of the Action ICPLASTIC.

- The work presented during the conference must mention explicitly and acknowledge the support of the COST Action CA23131 ICPLASTIC according to the COST guidelines on visual identity. The Action can be acknowledged as follows: “This article/publication/contribution is based upon work from COST Action CA23131 ISO compatible, efficient and reproducible protocols/equipment for mICro-nanoPLASTIC detection through machine-learning – ICPLASTIC, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)”.

Following registration on E-COST, the applicant must their application via the dedicated COST online tool. It shall include:

- The COST ITC Conference application form, within which the applicant must clearly describe

- how the scientific scope of the results to be presented fit both to the Conference topic and to the Action ICPLASTIC and how they contribute to the achievement of its scientific objectives.

- the motivation describing the potential for impact on the applicant’s career.

- Title of the presentation

- A copy of the abstract

- Conference title, date (within the active Grant Period) and country

- The applicants CV (to be included within the E-COST profile of the applicant).

- ID student card and approval of supervisor in the case of a PhD student.

- A justification for the requested budget

The Grant Holder will e-mail successful applicants with a Grant letter demonstrating official approval of the ITC Conference Grant application, a “Payment Request” document (to be completed and submitted after their ‘post conference’ report is approved) and the amount of the award. Failure to sign and return the Grant letter within 5 working days will be considered as an unsuccessful application. All unsuccessful applicants will be directly informed by the Grant Awarding Coordinator via e-mail

ITC Conference Grant Calls

o Dissemination Conference Grants

Dissemination conference grants fund ‘ICPLASTIC’ Participants to present work undertaken by ‘ICPLASTIC’, orally at a high-level conference fully organised by a 3rd party, i.e. not (co)organised by ‘ICPLASTIC’. In doing so they:
• Significantly increase the visibility of ‘ICPLASTIC’ in the research community and can contribute to increasing the visibility of the presenter;
• Attract additional participants and stakeholders and disseminates ‘ICPLASTIC’ results to relevant end-users at high profile conferences in the field on a topic relevant to ICPLASTIC.

DCG

- For the amount awarded the criteria includes the consideration of the fee, duration and location of the conference, and whether the presentation is to take place in person or online.

- Payments are made after the Conference therefore:

Successful applicants (Dissemination Conference grantees) are required:

- A report using the COST template on the outcome of the presentation of the accepted contribution, including the establishment of new contacts for future collaborations.

- The certificate of actual attendance, indicating in person or online.

- The programme of the conference or book of abstracts / proceedings indicating the oral presentation of the grantee.

- A copy of the given oral presentation.

Once the report is approved, the applicant then submits their Payment Request form, upon its processing the payment of the Dissemination Conference grant will be carried out by bank transfer to the grantee’s bank.

- to present the work disseminated at the Conference during internal meetings or events organized by ICPLASTIC (eg. Core Group or Working Group meetings) and accept that they may be used as part of the Communication Strategy of the Action.

Any researcher within the COST Action ICPLASTIC that is affiliated to a legal entity located in a COST Full/Cooperating Member, a Near Neighbour Country (NNC) or a European RTD can apply for a Dissemination Conference Grant. An affiliation is considered as any form of recognized relationship between the individual and a legal entity. Priority, in this order, will be given to applicants: from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs)/Near Neighbour Countries (NNCs), of underrepresented genders and less than 40 years old (Young Researchers and Innovators). In addition, the following must be observed:

- The applicant’s contribution (of the work done by the Action) must be listed in the official event/conference program and its main subject must be a topic of the Action ICPLASTIC.

- The work presented during the conference must mention explicitly and acknowledge the support of the COST Action CA23131 ICPLASTIC according to the COST guidelines on visual identity, as follows: “This article/publication/contribution is based upon work from COST Action CA23131 ISO compatible, efficient and reproducible protocols/equipment for mICro-nanoPLASTIC detection through machine-learning – ICPLASTIC, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)”.

Following registration on E-COST, the applicant must their application via the dedicated COST online tool. It shall include:

- The COST Dissemination Conference application form, within which the applicant must clearly describe how the presentation of the work:

- aligns with the Science Communication Plan of ICPLASTIC.

- is expected to impact the Action ICPLASTIC

- Title of the presentation

- A copy of the abstract

- Conference title, date (within the active Grant Period) and country

- The applicants CV (to be included within the E-COST profile of the applicant).

- ID student card and approval of supervisor in the case of a PhD student.

- A justification for the requested budget

The Grant Holder will e-mail successful applicants with a Grant letter demonstrating official approval of the Dissemination Conference Grant application, a “Payment Request” document (to be completed and submitted after their ‘post conference’ report is approved) and the amount of the award. Failure to sign and return the Grant letter within 5 working days will be considered as an unsuccessful application. All unsuccessful applicants will be directly informed by the Grant Awarding Coordinator via e-mail.

Calls for Grants

Important dates

Duration

Financial support

After completion of the STSM

Open access

Who can apply?

How to apply

For further information

Relevant links

Important dates

Duration

Financial support

After completion of the VM

Open access

Who can apply?

How to apply

For further information

Relevant links

Important dates

Duration

Financial support

After completion of the Conference

Who can apply?

How to apply

For further information

Relevant links

Important dates

Duration

Financial support

After completion of the Conference

Who can apply?

How to apply

For further information

Relevant links

Important dates

Duration

Financial support

After completion of the Conference

Who can apply?

How to apply

For further information

Relevant links