Timeline

European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) is the longest-running European framework for Research and Innovation. For over 50 years, we have offered European researchers and innovators, a simple and flexible pathway to take part in the best science and technology networks in Europe and across the world. Below is the COST timeline which displays many of the major milestones that constitute the history of COST.

During the 1960s European countries began to frame science policies in order to close the gap in science and technology between Europe and the USA.

1960s

Mr Hans-Hilger Haunschild is appointed Chair of COST.

1970

Mr Rolf Berger is appointed Chair of COST.

1971

The Ministerial Conference of 22 and 23 November 1971 is generally presented as the official entry into force of COST and at which the first Inter-governmental agreements were signed.

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1971

Mr Cyril Silver is appointed Chair of COST.

1973

5 COST Actions running.

1975

Mr Stanley Nielsen is appointed Chair of COST.

1976

Mr Johan Martin-Löf is appointed Chair of COST.

1980

Mr Jean-Pierre Rozelot is appointed Chair of COST.

1985

28 COST Actions running.

1985

Mr Emilio Munoz-Ruiz is appointed Chair of COST.

1986

Mr Nicolas Roulet is appointed Chair of COST.

1990

Ministerial Conference in Vienna, 5 Members added: Serbia, Hungary, Iceland, Poland and Czecholslovakia.

1991

2 Members added: Croatia, Slovenia.

1992

2 Members added: Czech Republic, Slovakia

1993

Mr Maximilian Metzger is appointed Chair of COST. Read more about his role 

1994

COST Interaction Conference in Basel, Switzerland.

1995

117 COST Actions running.

1996

Ministerial Conference in Prague – 3 Members are added Malta, Romania, Estonia.

1997

Mr Gösta Diehl is appointed Chair of COST. Read more 

1998

4 Observer Members added, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia, Cyprus.

1998

4 Members added, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia, Cyprus.

1999

Israel becomes a Cooperating Member.

2000

The 6th framework programme FP6 commences in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA).

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2002

The Republic of North Macedonia joins COST as a Member.

2002

Ministerial Conference in Dubrovnik.

2003

ESF creates the COST office in Brussels to implement COST during FP7.

2004

Mr Tony Mayer is appointed the Director of COST.

2004

Prof. Dr Francesco Fedi is appointed President of COST.

2004

Dr Martin Grabert is appointed the Director of COST.

2005

170 COST Actions running.

2006

The 7th framework programme (FP7) for Research and Technical Development commences.

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2007

Bosnia and Herzegovina joins as a COST Member.

2009

Dr Angeles Rodríguez-Peña is appointed President of COST in June 2010, holding office until June 2017.

2010

Ministerial Conference in Palma de Mallorca.

 

2010

Dr Monica Dietl is appointed the Director of COST.

2011

COST Members established the COST Association as the legal entity to implement COST.

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2013

297 Actions running.

2014

Horizon 2020, the 8th framework programme commences.

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2014

Ministerial Conference – Montenegro added as COST Member.

2015

Ministerial Conference in Bratislava.

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2016

Dr Ronald de Bruin is appointed the Director of COST.

2016

Prof. Dr Sierd Cloetingh is appointed President of COST in June 2017.

2017

COST Connect launched. COST Connect are thematic workshops that bring COST Actions, policymakers and key European stakeholders together to network and grow their ideas.

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2017

Albania joins as a COST Member. Kosovo* becomes a COST Near Neighbour Country. *This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

2018

Moldova joins as a COST Member.

2018

The COST Association welcomes the Republic of South Africa as its first COST Partner Member.

2019

Prof. Paulo Ferrão is appointed President of COST in June 2019.

2019

Ministerial Conference 2021 under the auspices of the EU Portuguese Presidency (online).

COST celebrates it’s 50th anniversary.

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2021

Prof. Alain Beretz is appointed President of COST in June 2021.

2021

Georgia, Ukraine, and Armenia join as COST Members.

2022

Prof. Salvatore Grimaldi is appointed President of COST in July 2023.

2023