Brexit update: UK Government extends Underwrite Guarantee to COST Programme

The UK government has addressed the potential impact of a no-deal Brexit on COST Actions by issuing a government guarantee. The UK government has committed to provide funding for eligible UK participation in COST Actions until the end of 2020.

For UK participation in COST Action activities, the guarantee will cover reimbursement of travel expenses for meetings, training schools and short-term scientific missions. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will administer expenses claims for UK participation in COST.

For up to date information and a FAQ on how UK research organisations and researchers will continue to benefit from participation in European Cooperation in Science & Technology (COST) after Brexit, please visit the UK government page COST Actions after Brexit .

As communicated on July 5^th, Final Action Dissemination (FAD) and Local Organiser Support (LOS) will, in case of a no-deal Brexit, be directly covered by the COST Association. Please refer to Administrative measures regarding a potential no-deal Brexit.

COST Director Dr Ronald de Bruin states: “We are pleased that the UK government has now extended the Horizon 2020 Underwrite Guarantee to the COST Programme. This allows the more than 2000 UK-affiliated researchers and innovators to receive funding for their participation in COST activities in case of a no-deal Brexit. We know that Brexit has been a considerable cause of worry for many people within our community, so we are grateful that a sustainable solution has been found.”