Short -Term Scientific Mission
STSM (Short-Term Scientific Mission) is a visit of a host organization (e.g. institution, organisation, company or research centre) located in a different country than the country of applicant’s affiliation with the aim to carry out specific work during a determined period of time.
Grant applicant(s) is Action participants with a primary affiliation to a legal entity located in a COST Full or Cooperating Member Country, a COST Near Neighbour Country or a European RTD Organisation.
Aims
Access to equipment or techniques not available in the home institution. Reach specific objectives and deliverables within the working groups and the Action MoU.
The Average cost per STSM is EUR 2500, up to a maximum of EUR 4000.
Covered costs: travelling, accommodation and subsistence expenses, implementation of the project, delivery of the report to the COST Action MC and overall effort.
STSM Topics proposed by Action Members
Procedure for STSM application
Applicants are encouraged, before starting the procedure, to carefully read the rules detailed in Annotated Rules for COST Actions and the Grant Awarding user guide here.
The Applicants create an application by logging into e-cost, clicking on the Grant Applications tab and selecting “Short-Term Scientific Mission grant”.
After encoding the Grant application form by filling all the sections, the applicant will need to upload the required supporting documentation in the e-COST:
- STSM grant Application based on e-COST template.We strongly recommend applicants to contact the respective working group leaders prior to submitting their application to ensure that the proposed outcome of their STSM agrees with the objectives of the Action and working group topics.
- Confirmation of the host on the agreement from the host institution in receiving the applicant.
- Applicant's CV.
- Master students shall provide the approved research programme enrolment form signed by the University.
The application will be assessed after the collection date indicated in the open call by the Grant Awarding Coordinator and Committee on behalf of the MC and according to the following criteria related to the proposed project:
- Connection to the objectives of ParAqua (see MoU)
- Realistic budget planning.
- Scientific quality of the proposed project.
- Expected outcome/chance for publication.
- Involvement of inclusiveness target countries (ITCs).
- Career stage, gender balance.
After the evaluation, the applicant will be formally notified of the outcome of their STSM application by the Grant Awarding Coordinator.
Important
All the communication tools (e.g. publications) granted by the Action need to acknowledge COST as the funding source by using the logos of ParAqua, EU and COST. Wrong or incomplete acknowledgement of the funding source may entail not eligibility for a refund.
Funding should be acknowledged as follows: Participation in this conference has been funded by the EU COST Action CA20125 – “Applications for zoosporic parasites in aquatic systems” through an STSM Grant.
Grantees will be required to write a short report of their experience to be published in the newsletter and to contribute with content (posts, pictures, short videos…) for the Action social media.
Affter the STSM
The grantee submits the required documentation in e-COST within 30 days after the end date of the activity or 15 days after the end of the Grant Period. To facilitate the administration of the grant payment, we strongly recommend finishing the activities within 30 days of the end of the Grant Period.
Supporting documentation to be uploaded in the e-COST:
-
STSM Report based on COST template
The report should clearly state the purpose of the STSM, a description of the work carried out, results and main achievements obtained during the STSM, planned future collaborations and the impact of conducted STSM for personal career development. - Written approval of the STSM report provided by the host institution.
- Invoices of covered costs and travel tickets
Failure in submitting the required documents within the set timeframe may cancel the Grant.
Payment of the Grant
The Grant Awarding Coordinator will verify the validity and content of the report and coordinate the approval or rejection of the report.
If rejected, a justification is required and its content will be included in the e-notification to the grantee, who is asked to revise and re-submit the report.
Once the report is approved and all supporting documents are submitted the Grant Holder pays the Grant.
STSMs grantees may request up to 50% pre-payment of the approved grant.
The complete Grant Awarding System Action document and open call are consultable on the website repository.