About this programme

COST – European Cooperation in Science and Technology – is the European intergovernmental framework for the coordination of national or regional funded research.

COST plays an important role in the development of the European research area. COST's mission is to strengthen Europe in scientific and technological research through the support of European cooperation and interaction between European researchers.

COST offers financing for the coordination of pan-European research networks (COST actions). The actual research is financed via other (national or regional) channels.

The main features of COST are:

  • bottom-up approach: European researchers determine themselves the idea and topic of a COST action;
  • inclusiveness and equal access: participation is open to all COST member states;
  • flexible structure: simple implementation and management of networking initiatives;
  • commitment to participate in capacity building by linking up high quality scientific networks across Europe and worldwide;
  • particular attention to offering networking opportunities to young researchers;
  • increasing the impact of research on policy makers, regulatory authorities and national policy makers as well as the private sector.

COST is financed with specific budget lines from the EU Framework Programmes. At present, COST supports some 300 ongoing actions and reaches out to more than 30,000 researchers across Europe. 

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Your NCP contact for this programme

Image of Man Hei To

Man Hei To

manhei.to@fwo.be

+32 2 550 15 55

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Testimonial

image of YoPA – Youth-centered participatory action for a healthy lifestyle

YoPA – Youth-centered participatory action for a healthy lifestyle

The YoPA project, ‘a youth-centred preventive action approach towards co-created implementation of socially and physically activating environmental interventions’ obtained funding from Horizon Europe’s Health Cluster. The project addresses the multifaceted challenges of physical inactivity and health inequalities through a unique participatory approach. The project places teenagers between 12 and 18 years old in vulnerable situations at the forefront of the intervention process. The Institute of Tropical Medicine is a partner in the project and will conduct a Realist Evaluation to understand how youth co-creation contributes to improved adolescent health and well-being in four cities in Denmark, Netherlands, Nigeria and South Africa.  By integrating its results and sharing its approach in an open access Toolbox, ITM aims to contribute to fostering sustainable, youth-led solutions for healthier urban environments.