A COST Action is an interdisciplinary research network that brings together researchers and innovators to investigate a topic for four years. Open to all science and technology fields, including new and emerging ones, COST Actions are also bottom-up meaning you can propose a network based on your own interests or ideas.
The funding a COST Action receives covers the expenses of networking activities and can be used to fund events, Short-Term Scientific Missions, Training Schools, communication activities, and virtual networking tools. A COST Action has an estimate budget of €150,000 in its first year and on average €180,000 per year for the other three years.
Our 2026 Open Call for new COST Action proposals will open this summer. If you’re familiar with our existing submission and evaluation procedure you might notice some changes so we want to keep you up-to-date on what to expect and highlight what’s new:
Expand your network of proposers
Historically, a network of proposers comprises at least seven COST Full or Cooperating Members amongst which at least 50% are from COST Inclusiveness Target Countries. Now, in addition, at least 40% of proposers must be Young Researchers and Innovators.
One role per Open Call
In each Open Call, an individual may participate either as Main or Secondary Proposer in one proposal only.
New submission tool developments (e-COST)
To make it easier, the Technical Annex is no longer a separate document and is a integrated part of the submission process to be completed directly via the e-COST platform.
The system also won’t allow you to submit a proposal if you exceed page and text limits, helping ensure eligibility.
The timeline
e-COST will open for submission on 31 July 2026 (12:00 noon CEST) and close on 28 October 2026 (12:00 noon CET).
You can already start building your network and preparing your proposal. Please check the Open Call Proposers Guidelines for the general features of the proposal that will need be needed for submission and also the Open Call Announcement. All relevant documents are available in our Documents and Guidelines section.
More funding opportunities
COST will fund up to 80 COST Actions in it’s 2026 call, an increase on the 70 networks that were funded last year. This improves the success rate for applicants and provides greater opportunities for short-term mobility, networking, and transfer of knowledge.
Join our online Info Day
If you would like further information on the COST Open Call then join our online Info Day on 16 June (from 10:00 to 12:00 CEST). The aim of the event is to inform the research community on how to participate in COST Actions or submit a COST Action proposal, as well as the role and impact of the COST programme. Register your attendance here.
