Networking Tools and Grant Opportunities
COST provides a wide range of networking tools designed to support collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building among researchers. Here you can find a short overview of the main funding instruments available within the TEAR-Precision Action and the rules on how to apply for each of them.
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All grant applications and reimbursements must comply with the official COST rules and procedures as outlined in the current version of the Annotated Rules for COST Actions.
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If you have questions or need assistance with your application, please contact Grant Awarding Coordinator​ Suzanne.Hagan@gcu.ac.uk
Short Term Scientific Mission
No specific deadline
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The TEAR-Precision STSM grant calls are open on a continuous, first-come, first-served basis.
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The STSM call for the first Grant Period of the Action (1 November 2025 – 31 October 2026) is now open.
General Rules
Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) are exchange visits aimed at supporting individual mobility, training young researchers, and fostering collaboration between institutions through the activities of the Action’s Working Groups. Each year, several STSMs will be funded to promote the exchange of techniques, knowledge, and expertise between laboratories in different COST Member States. An STSM must directly contribute to the scientific objectives of the TEAR-Precision COST Action (CA24112), while enabling participants to acquire new skills, access specific data, instruments, or methods not available at their home institutions.
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Who Can Apply
STSM applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
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Be engaged in an official research programme as a PhD student or postdoctoral researcher.
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Be employed by, or affiliated with, an institution, organisation, or legal entity with a clear research remit.
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STSM Duration
STSM must have a minimum duration of 5 days and a maximum duration of 90 days. All STSM need to be carried out in their entirety within a single Grant Period and within the Action’s lifetime. For the period of the STSM neither the MC, nor the COST Association nor the Grant Holder may be considered as an employer. The grantees must make their own arrangements for all health, social, personal security, taxation and pension matters.
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Application Requirements
Applications must include:
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A research/work plan (max. 2000 words).
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A letter of invitation from the host institution/researcher.
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A budget plan.
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A short scientific CV.
Applications are reviewed by the STSM Committee on a rolling basis (first come, first served).
Evaluation results are communicated within approximately 14 days of submission.
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Criteria for Evaluation
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Scientific quality and relevance to the Action objectives.
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Benefit to both applicant and host institution.
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Expected outcomes (e.g., planned publications, ongoing collaboration).
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Balance across Working Groups, gender, and countries.
Priority is given to Young researchers and innovators (YRIs) and applicants from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs), provided proposals are of comparable quality.
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Awarding Procedure
Recommendations made by the STSM Coordinator are subject to approval by the Core Group.
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How to Apply
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Obtain a Letter of Support from your home institution and a Letter of Acceptance from the host institution (templates available here).
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Log in to the e-COST portal.
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Go to STSM Applications → create a new request.
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Fill in all required information, including Action number CA24112, project title, start/end dates, motivation, and work plan.
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Upload supporting documents (CV, letters, and STSM plan).
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Notify the STSM Coordinator, Dr. Guglielmo Di Molfetta (guglielmo.di.molfetta@gu.se), once your application has been submitted.
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After Approval
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Carry out the STSM.
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Within 30 days of completion, submit a scientific report (template available [here]).
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The report must be approved by the host and the STSM Coordinator.
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After approval, the grant will be reimbursed to the applicant’s bank account.
For transparency, the grantee’s name, home and host institutions, duration, and project title will be published on the TEAR-Precision website. After completing the STSM, grantees will be asked to fill out a short communication form summarizing their experience and key outcomes of the visit. Based on this information, the Science Communication Coordinator will prepare a short post to be shared on the Action’s website and social media channels.
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Virtual Mobility
No specific deadline
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The TEAR-Precision VM grant calls are open on a continuous, first-come, first-served basis.
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The STSM call for the first Grant Period of the Action (1 November 2025 – 31 October 2026) is now open.
General Description
A Virtual Mobility (VM) Grant supports collaboration in an online setting among researchers and innovators within the COST Action. These grants enable participants to exchange knowledge, develop new skills, and coordinate Action-related activities remotely.
VM Grants are flexible tools that help Actions achieve the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) objectives and extend the network’s impact beyond physical meetings. They are not intended to compensate for regular tasks or responsibilities of leadership positions (e.g., Grant Holder Manager, Grant Awarding Coordinator).
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Benefits For the Action
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Facilitates online collaboration and coordination within the network.
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Contributes to achieving the Action’s objectives and increases the overall impact of activities.
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Strengthens Europe’s leadership in knowledge creation and innovation.
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BenefitsFor the Grantee
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Builds experience and capacity in virtual collaboration and networking across Europe.
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Promotes new competencies such as project coordination, communication, or methodological skills.
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Examples of Eligible Activities
Virtual Mobility Grants can support a wide range of remote, collaborative activities, such as:
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Virtual mentoring schemes, especially those that build capacity among Young Researchers and Innovators (YRIs) — e.g. developing managerial, methodological, or communication skills.
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Harmonisation and standardisation efforts within the Action’s networking activities, such as:
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Setting up surveys among Action members to collect results and outcomes from different research groups.
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Coordinating discussions to develop common protocols or guidelines.
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Preparing questionnaires or shared datasets to support Action-wide analyses.
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Research coordination activities that can be conducted online, including:
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Computational or modelling work.
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Data analysis for Action reports or specific scientific outputs.
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How to Apply
Applications for Virtual Mobility Grants are managed through the e-COST system.
Applicants are asked to describe:
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The planned online activities and their relevance to the TEAR-Precision Action objectives.
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Expected deliverables and how the results will be shared with the network.
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A timeline and budget for the virtual collaboration.
All proposals will be reviewed by the Grant Awarding Committee on a rolling basis.
ITC (Inclusiveness Target Country) & YRI (Young Researcher and Innovator) Conference Grants
Grant Awarding Coordinator​
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Suzanne Hagan
No specific deadline
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The conference grant call is open on a continuous, first-come, first-served basis.
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General Description
ITC Conference grant funds an oral presentation of their own work within the scope of the Action by an Action Participant affiliated to a legal entity located in an Inclusiveness Target Country / Near Neighbour Country in a high-level conference fully organized by a third party, i.e. not organized nor co-organized by the COST Action.
YRI Conference grant funds a presentation (poster/oral presentation) of their own work within the scope of the Action by a Young Researcher and Innovator (YRI) in a high-level conference fully organized by a third party, i.e. not organized nor co-organized by the COST Action..
These grants serve the COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy, supporting both:
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Researchers affiliated with institutions in Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs) or Near Neighbour Countries (NNCs), and
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Young Researchers and Innovators (YRIs) across Europe and beyond.
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Purpose of the Grant
ITC Conference Grants are designed to:
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Serve the COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy.
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Support young and early-career researchers and researchers from ITC and NNC countries in establishing strong international networks and increasing their visibility within the research community.
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Enable grantees to share their work and gain new knowledge by participating in high-level scientific events.
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Contribute to the visibility and dissemination of the TEAR-Precision Action.
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Benefits For the Grantee
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Receives financial support to attend and deliver an oral presentation of their own research at an international conference.
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Gains the opportunity to establish new contacts, foster collaborations, and raise their scientific profile.
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Benefits For the Action
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Promotes the Action’s goals and results through the participation of its members in international scientific forums.
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Strengthens COST’s commitment to inclusiveness and capacity building across Europe and neighbouring regions.
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Eligibility
Applicants must:
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Be Action Participants affiliated with an institution in an ITC/NNC or qualify as Young Researchers and Innovators (YRIs).
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Deliver an oral presentation directly related to the objectives of the TEAR-Precision (CA24112) Action.
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Acknowledge COST support in their presentation and conference materials.
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How to Apply
Applications for Conference Grants are submitted through the e-COST system.
Applicants are asked to provide:
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Conference details (title, organizer, location, dates).
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Abstract of the presentation.
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Proof of acceptance for an oral presentation.
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Motivation letter explaining the relevance of the conference to the Action objectives.
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Estimated budget (travel, registration, accommodation).
Applications will be reviewed by the Grant Awarding Committee on a rolling basis.
Dissemination Conference Grant
Grant Awarding Coordinator​
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Suzanne Hagan
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Please contact Action Chair, Marlies Gijs, and Grant Holder Manager, Dale Lawson, if you wish to disseminate awareness of TEAR-Precision at a third-party conference or event.
No specific deadline
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The conference grant call is open on a continuous, first-come, first-served basis.
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General Description
A Dissemination Conference Grant provides financial support for an oral presentation by an Action Participant presenting the work and results of the Action at a high-level international conference fully organized by a third party (i.e. not organized or co-organized by the COST Action). This grant aims to showcase the achievements and impact of the TEAR-Precision (CA24112) Action to a broader research and stakeholder community.
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Purpose of the Grant
Dissemination Conference Grants are designed to:
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Increase the visibility of the Action in the wider research and innovation community.
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Disseminate the Action’s results to relevant audiences, including potential end-users and stakeholders.
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Promote collaboration and engagement, attracting new participants or partners to the Action.
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Enhance the professional visibility of the presenter representing the Action.
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Benefits For the Grantee
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Receives support to attend and deliver an oral presentation showcasing the Action’s objectives, activities, and results.
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Gains visibility and recognition within the research community.
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Builds new professional connections and potential future collaborations.
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Benefits For the Action
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Increases the visibility and outreach of the Action.
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Establishes new contacts with stakeholders and end-users.
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Strengthens the dissemination and impact of the Action’s outcomes.
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Eligibility
To be eligible for a Dissemination Conference Grant, the applicant must:
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Be an Action Participant of the TEAR-Precision (CA24112) Action.
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Deliver an oral presentation about the Action and its activities, including acknowledgment of COST support in the presentation and conference materials.
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Present at a high-level international conference fully organized by a third party (not by the COST Action).
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How to Apply
Applications are submitted via the e-COST system.
Applicants are required to provide:
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Conference details (title, organizer, location, dates).
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Abstract and proof of acceptance for the oral presentation.
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Motivation letter explaining how the presentation will promote the Action.
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Estimated budget (travel, registration, accommodation).
Applications are evaluated by the Grant Awarding Committee on a rolling basis.