In collaboration with the Tear Research Network 

📍 Maastricht, The Netherlands
📅 26–28 March 2026

This in-person meeting is a great opportunity to meet exchange ideas and lay the foundation for the activities that will help to develop our network and impact upon the future of tear-fluid research. The program will be made up of presentations, collaborative Working Group meetings, a Management Committee meeting and moments dedicated to social activities and networking.

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Programme Overview

Preliminary structure

Thursday, 26 March

• Afternoon: Registration, keynote lecture by the Action Chair, Prof. Marlies Gijs

• Evening: Social activities and networking

Friday, 27 March

• Morning: Management Committee meeting, Presenting TEAR-Precision, COST Action opportunities

• Afternoon: Working Group Breakouts

• Evening: City tour and conference dinner

Saturday, 28 March

• Morning: Working Group Breakouts

• Afternoon: General Presentations, Closing of the meeting

A detailed programme will be published in due course.

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Who Can Attend?

The meeting is open to:

• TEAR-Precision members and their affiliates

• Tear Research Network members

• Potential future members interested in joining the Action

We particularly encourage participation of Early Career Researchers, including PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and Young Researchers and Innovators (YRIs; under 40 years of age according to COST definition).

Participation requires an active eCOST profile.

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Expression of Interest

To help us with planning, please indicate your interest in attending the meeting by 31 January 2026 by completing the following form:

👉 Expression of Interest Form
https://forms.gle/Ttc4yHZFVforc5727

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Reimbursement

Reimbursement for participation will follow COST Association rules.

Eligible participants may receive:

• Full reimbursement of long-distance travel

• A Daily Allowance (DA) to cover accommodation and subsistence

For the Netherlands, the Daily Allowance is €217 per day.

More detailed information on reimbursement procedures is available in this document.

See also Claim submission quick guide

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Accommodation and Travel

Participants are asked to book their own accommodation and travel and retain all relevant documentation for reimbursement after the meeting.

The exact venue in Maastricht and practical travel information will be announced shortly.

We very much look forward to welcoming you to Maastricht and to launching the activities of the TEAR-Precision COST Action together.