COST launches new virtual networking tools

The COST Office has launched two new types of grants in COST Actions to respond to the rising need of digital tools in the context of the COVID pandemic and to ensure the continuity of the COST Actions’ work activities. It concerns a pilot scheme that will run until 31 October 2021.

The two new types of grants are:

Virtual Networking Support (VNS) Grant: aims at promoting a virtual alternative to in-person collaboration. This grant intends to stimulate virtual collaboration by designating a Virtual Networking Support Manager.  The Virtual Networking Support (VNS) Grant amount per grant period is set at a maximum of EUR 4.000.

Virtual Mobility (VM) Grant: aims at strengthening the existing networks by allowing researchers and innovators to carry out collaboration in a virtual setting, to exchange knowledge, learn new techniques, disseminate Action results, etc. The maximum amount per VM Grant is EUR 1.500, with a maximum of 6 VM Grants per Action per Grant Period (up to 1,500 EUR per grant, max 9,000 EUR).

Please note that COST will not provide addtional budget for these new grants. Actions are expected to reallocate their current budget for these two types of grants.

More information on the virtual networking tools can also be found here.