On 19 May 2026, the COST Commitee of Senior Officials (CSO) has approved 80 new COST Actions (results from OC-2025-1) that will have their first kick-off meetings between beginning of September and November 2026. An overview of the newly approved COST Actions can be found in this booklet.

All COST Member States (including Belgium) are part of new COST Actions once approved by the CSO. Researchers and innovators in Belgium can directly participate in these new COST Actions. Applications for participation to the working groups of the COST Actions can be submitted through the e-cost platform and are subjected to the approval of the management committee of the COST Action. Working groups perform the tasks required by the COST Action to fulfil the objectives of the network’s project plan.

When submitting an application for participation to the working groups you can also indicate your wish to be part of the management committee. The management committee supervises and coordinates the proper implementation and management of the respective COST Action. Applications for participation to the management committee are however subjected to an additional national application procedure. Please contact FWO for further guidance regarding the application procedure for participation in the management committee. Each COST Member State can nominate up to two national representatives in the management committee of a COST Action. On page 5 of the rules for COST Actions (level B) document you will find more information about the role and responsibilities of the management committee members.

Please note that it is strongly advised and encouraged to contact the main proposer or chair of the COST Action in advance if you would like to join the new COST Action to discuss your participation and contribution to the COST Action and in which capacity. More information and contact details for the 80 newly approved COST Actions will be available on the COST Website as from 12 June 2026 onwards.

Any further queries related to COST can be directed to cost@fwo.be or more information on how to participate in COST Actions can also be found here.

COST Press Release