The COST Programme

The Cooperation in Science and Technology Programme (COST) is an inter-governmental framework for European Co-operation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research. COST is managed by the European Science Foundation, and in May 2005 supported almost 200 Actions involving nearly 30000 scientists from 32 European member countries and more than 50 participating institutions from 11 non-member countries. These Actions are networks of coordinated national research project in fields which are of interest to a minimum number of participants (at least 5) from different member states. COST Actions cover basic and pre-competitive research as well as activities of public utility. The members of each Action are drawn from member countries which have ratified the Action, and their activities are informed by a programme accepted by the ESF management at time of application and reviewed on an annual basis throughout the Action. Each Action comprises three principal activities: the workshops where the science or technology matters of the Action are presented and discussed; the Action's short-term scientific missions, which allow contacts made during workshop networking to be developed; and, thirdly, the dissemination of the Action's science through publication or electronic communication.