Grants

Overview of the types of available grants and any other relevant info

The COST Action mSPACE proposes three types of grants.

1. Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs)

An STSM offers a valuable experience for researchers in supporting their career development. It is designed to strengthen existing networks by enabling researchers and innovators to foster face-to-face collaboration. In addition, it supports the development of new collaborations between Working Groups (WGs) and external partners, including those from industry.

Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) and Near Neighbors Country (NNC) members, early-career researchers, and underrepresented genders are particularly encouraged to apply.

Important dates

	Application Month	Announcement of the results	Implementation of the projects
Call 1	December	Mid-January	Mid-January to September
Call 2	May	Mid-June	Mid-June to September

Two calls are issued per Grant Period. For each call, applications are open for one month (December for Call 1, May for Call 2), and the results are announced in the middle of the following month. Projects must be completed by the end of September.

A third call might be open at the beginning of September, depending on the remaining available funds, with projects to be completed by mid-October.

Criteria.

Location of the host institution must be in a different country to the country of affiliation of the applicant.
Application should be in English.
Minimum time of stay: 5 days. Maximum time: 2 months.
The maximum budget is €4000, corresponding to a stay of up to 2 months. Applicants should request a proportionate budget for the duration and provide a clear justification.
Applicants must have joined the action at least one month before their application date.

Application process.

Applicants will be asked:

To fill out the Application page accessible via the e-COST platform.
To upload the Application form that describes the goals, scientific content of the STSM, and expected outcomes.
To upload confirmation of the host on the agreement from the host institution to receive the applicant. This should be an electronic letter on the host university letterhead.
To add a budget plan (max. 200 words) describing the amount of resources allocated to accommodation, travel, meals, and possible other costs. The budget plan should also detail any other sources of funding available.

Applicants should be aware that their CV will be checked.

More information about the application process can be found in the following user’s guide.

2. Inclusiveness Target Country (ITC) Conference grants

An ITC Conference grant provides financial support to Action Participants affiliated to a legal entity located in an Inclusiveness Target Country/ Near Neighbour Country (NNC) to present their own work within the scope of the action at a third-party conference. It helps grantees to establish a strong network and broaden their exposure to the research community through sharing their work.

In addition, it contributes to increasing visibility of the Action.

Important dates.

The call will remain open on a rolling basis until the available funds are fully committed.

Criteria.

Applicants must give an oral presentation at the conference about their own work within the scope of the Action.
The conference should be high-level and not organized by COST.
Applicants must be affiliated to a legal entity located in an Inclusiveness Target Country / Near Neighbour Country.
Application should be in English.
Maximum budget: 1000 €.
Applicants must have joined the action at least one month before their application date.

Application process.

Applicants will be asked:

To fill out the Application page accessible via the e-COST platform.
To upload the Application form that describes the conference details, contribution details, relevance of the conference topic to the Action, motivation and expected impact.
To upload a copy of the abstract of the accepted oral presentation.
To upload an acceptance (or invitation) letter from the conference organisers.
To add a budget plan (max. 200 words) describing the amount of resources allocated to accommodation, travel, meals, and possible other costs. The budget plan should also detail any other sources of funding available.

Applicants should be aware that their CV will be checked.

More information about the application process can be found in the following user’s guide.

3. Young Researchers and Innovators (YRI) Conference grants

An YRI Conference grant provides financial support to Young Researchers and Innovators to present their own work at a third-party conference. It helps grantees to establish a strong network and broaden their exposure to the research community through sharing their work. In addition, it contributes to increasing visibility of the Action.

Important dates.

Review of the applications will start on 12 January 2026, and will continue until all available funds are fully committed.

Criteria.

Applicants must give an oral presentation or present a poster at the conference.
The conference should be high-level and not organized by COST.
Applicants must be under the age of 40.
Application should be in English.
Maximum budget: 1000 €.
Applicants must have joined the action at least one month before their application date.

Application process.

Applicants will be asked:

To fill out the Application page accessible via the e-COST platform.
To upload the Application form describing conference details, contribution details, relevance of the conference topic to the Action, motivation and expected impact.
To upload a copy of the abstract of the accepted oral or poster presentation.
To upload an acceptance (or invitation) letter from the conference organisers.
To add a budget plan (max. 200 words) describing the amount of resources allocated to accommodation, travel, meals, and possible other costs. The budget plan should also detail any other sources of funding available.

Applicants should be aware that their CV will be checked.

More information about the application process can be found in the following user’s guide.