OPEN CALLS
STSM call is open
This is a call for applications for STSM in the framework of the COST Action CorEuStem (CA20140), Grant Period 3
- Open calls: 15th November 2023
- Deadlines: 15th December 2023, 15th March 2024, and 15 May 2024.
- The applications will be evaluated within 7 days following the deadlines of the respective call.
- Missions should start from 1st January 2024 and be completed by 15th October 2024
- A report has to be sent within 30 days after the completion of the STSM.
Open Calls
Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs)
Short-term scientific missions (STSM) are exchange visits between researchers involved in a COST Action, allowing scientists to visit an institution or laboratory in another COST Member state. These scientific missions may last up to three months in another COST Member/Cooperating Member or Near-Neighbor Country joining the Action. They aim to foster collaboration in excellent research infrastructures and share new techniques that may not be available in a participant’s home institution or laboratory.
STSM coordinator CorEuStem: Jolanda van Hengel (Belgium)
STSMs aim to foster new collaborations between the laboratories participating in the Action and beyond, to learn new techniques or to use specific equipment not available in the applicant’s institute,
and promote the objectives of the Action.
Rules and eligibility criteria
For full information on COST STSM rules see COST Guidelines.
- The applicant must be engaged in an official research program as a PhD Student, postdoctoral fellow or can be employed by, or affiliated to, an institution, organization which has within its remit a clear association with performing research.
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The applicant must be engaged in a research program in a COST Member State and must go to an institution or laboratory in another Member State actively participating in the Action CorEuStem.
- The financial support is limited to travel and accommodation expenses and is not intended to cover experimental costs.
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The maximal financial support is 4000 Euros, and the mission duration should be minimum one week to maximum three months. In order to maximize the number of STSM stays that can be funded within one Grant Period, we advises that the financial support for each STSM should not exceed 2000€, unless particular conditions strongly require this (a detailed motivation needs to be given in the application). In particular, CorEuStem is providing the following reccomendations for STSM applications: (1) STSM stays should be planned well ahead to allow for early and economic bookings, (2) Accommodation in holiday flats or co-working locations is preferred over hotels to save costs (especially for stays exceeding 5 working days), and (3) for cost-intensive STSMs, applicants should be prepared to cover part of the expenses by other sources (private/institutional). -
Due to the limited number of fellowships, only one person per home institution and host lab can apply. -
The laboratory of origin and host laboratory must send recommendation letters with the application and agree to cover the rest of the expenses related to the travel and project if necessary. -
The grantee is required to submit a short scientific report within four weeks after his/her stay.
How to apply
To apply for an STSM within the COST Action CorEuStem, please follow the steps below:
- Submit an STSM application on e-COST;
- The applicant must have a profile on e-COST.
The following information has to be encoded with the registration:
- Indicate the right COST-action: CorEuStem, CA20140.
- Title of the planned STSM.
- Planned dates and length of stay.
- Motivation statement & description of the proposed work plan (2000 words maximum; see details below).
- Name, address & email of the prospective host at the receiving institute.
- Budget request with breakdown for the costs of the STSM. If the applicant is affiliated with an institute from an Inclusivenss Target Country, (s)he can apply for a pre-payment of 50% of the Grant. The applicant must keep in mind that the transfer of the 50% of the Grant can only take place after the mission has started and as such, requesting a pre-payment is more effective for STSMs longer than 1 month.
The supporting documents necessary for an STSM application include the following:
- Recommendation letter from a senior researcher affiliated to the home institution agreeing to cover the rest of the expenses related to the travel and project if necessary (letter of support home institution).
- Letter of invitation from a senior researcher affiliated to the host institution confirming that the applicant can undertake the STSM on the agreed dates.
- Full CV of the applicant (including a list of academic publications, if applicable).
After submitting the application, the online registration tool will issue a formal STSM application which will be automatically sent to the STSM Coordinator.
Instructions for writing the Motivation Statement and Work Plan. The maximum length of the STSM motivation and work plan summary is 2000 words. It is part of the online application form. A complete proposal should include the following sections:
- Aim and motivation: Explain the purpose of the STSM and what scientific and/or other outcomes you aim to accomplish with the STSM. Importantly, explain how the STSM aim/ outcomes relate to CorEuStem specific scientific objectives of and specific WGs objectives/tasks (check the CorEuStem’s proposal). Explain your choice for the Host institution (including a description of the Host Lab expertise and link to the web, max 200 words).
- Methods: Detail what methods/techniques you may learn to use, if applicable.
- Work plan: Detail the steps you will take to achieve your proposed aims.
- Expected output of the STSM: foreseen publications, future collaboration, etc.
Selection Criteria
The applications will be pre-processed by the STSM Coordinator who will then distribute a list of
applications to be ranked by the STSM Selection Committee (i.e. CorEuStem Core Group: Chair and
Vicechair, WG leaders, STSM Coordinator and other CorEuStem coordinators). The applications will
be assessed by the STSM Committee based on:
- Scientific quality of the proposal;
- The relevance of the proposed visit to the objectives of the Action CorEuStem (see Memorandum of Understanding);
- Technical feasibility (is the host lab equipment or technical knowledge required for the completion of a project, length of the STSM);
- Diversity and representativeness of contributions concerning the COST Action;
- Gender balance and country.
Obligations
- The grantee must upload a short scientific report within four weeks after his/her stay into e-COST. The scientific report should cover a statement of achieving the project aims, description of the work carried out and its outcome/results, and expected publications or abstract presentation that may arise from the STSM (if applicable).
- The applicant is also responsible for acquiring an official acceptance letter, invitation or email confirmation of acceptance from a senior researcher affiliated to the host institution formally accepting the scientific report. This formal acceptance is necessary for approving STSM for payment. The scientific report will require the approval of the Core Group in order to effect the payment of the Grant, so you will receive the money
- The STSM grantee must also send a summary and a copy of their scientific report to the Science Communication Manager of the Action, Mariastefania Antica (antica@irb.hr). It will be then disseminated using the official CorEuStem website, social media, etc. Photographic material from the STSM (e.g., the grantee with the team at the host institution or a video) will be much appreciated.
