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AUSTRALIAN PARTICIPATION IN EUROPEAN COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH (COST)

This call for applications is now closed as all funds for this program have now been expended.

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The Australian Academy of Science receives funding from the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) to deliver the project Australian participation in European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST).

The project is supported by the International Science Linkages (ISL) program. The ISL program supports Australian professional scientists, from both the public and private sectors, to collaborate with international partners on leading edge science and technology in order to contribute to Australia's economic, social and environmental wellbeing.

The objectives of the ISL program are to:

• Increase the uptake of leading edge science and technology (S&T) through:
  • promoting access to and participation by Australian researchers in strategically focussed, leading edge, international scientific research and technology; and

  • increased strategic alliances between Australian and overseas researchers.

• Facilitate Australia's access to the global S&T system by supporting bilateral and multilateral relations with other countries.

In order to deliver the project, the Academy and COST have signed a reciprocal agreement for Australian and European scientists to participate in COST Actions (http://www.cost.esf.org/about_cost). Under the terms of the agreement and COST guidelines, Australia is regarded as a country with reciprocal arrangements.

Financial Assistance for Australian professional researchers who are official members of a COST Action to undertake Short Term Scientific Missions (STSM) of COST and/or attend a workshop/meeting of COST.

Missions are aimed at strengthening existing networks by allowing scientists to visit an institution or laboratory in another COST country to foster collaboration, to learn a new technique or to make measurements using instruments and/or methods not available in their own institution/laboratory.

Funding is available to support up to twelve visits in FY 2009-2010 for Australian researchers to participate in COST Actions. Australian researchers need to be official members of a COST Action to be eligible for funding. This program does not fund students.

Australian researchers travelling to Europe may receive a grant in aid of up to A$5,000 for a STSM, covering a return airfare of up to A$2,500 and daily living allowances. Daily living allowances, covering accommodation and meals are provided at the rate of A$200 per day or a maximum of A$2,500 per month, whichever is the smaller amount.

Researchers are only eligible to receive one grant in a financial year.

All STSMs must be for five days minimum and three months maximum duration.

Priority areas

Priority areas of interest to Australia in COST Actions fall under the six broad themes of medical and health research; agriculture, biotechnology and food; nanotechnology; information and communications technology; environment and climate change; and social sciences and humanities.

Eligibility

Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents residing in Australia at the time of application and must be official members of a COST Action.

Application procedure

1. To become an official member of a COST Action, Australian researchers need to contact the Chair of the relevant COST Action Management Committee. http://www.cost.esf.org/library/newsroom/About-COST-2008-Now-Available

2. The Action Chair and the Australian researchers will need to make a formal request for participation as a non-COST country institution. The Chair is familiar with the appropriate formalities.

3. Once researchers become official members, Action Chairs are able to invite Australian researchers to participate in STSM.

4. Once the above conditions are met, Australian researchers will need to complete the Australian Academy of Science's online summary form and an application form.

5. Applications will be processed by the Academy in order of receipt. Australian researchers will receive confirmation of the grant approval, on a first-come first–serve basis, approximately within one month, provided funds are available. Researchers are expected to submit a short report of the success of the mission at the end of the process to the COST Action chair, to the Australian Academy of Science and the COST Office.

Reporting requirements

Two reports are required for each funded trip: a 30 day report, to be submitted within 30 days of the conclusion of the funded travel and a 12 month report, to be submitted 1 year after the funded travel. The objective of the reports is to gather information to demonstrate that the project is contributing to the objectives of the International Science Linkages program.

• Guidelines for first report
• Guidelines for second report

For further information contact:

Nancy Pritchard
Manager – International Programs
Australian Academy of Science
GPO Box 783
Canberra ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA
Email: nancy.pritchard@science.org.au

This project is supported by the Australian Government Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research International Science Linkages program.