COST

What it is

COST is a funding organisation for the creation of research networks, called COST Actions. These networks offer an open space for collaboration among scientists across Europe and beyond. COST is an intergovernmental framework funded by the EU and administered by the COST Association, based in Brussels.

COST Actions are bottom-up, interdisciplinary networks funded for a four-year period. They bring together researchers, innovators and other professionals — including industry specialists, policymakers and civil society — to collaborate on a research topic. It is possible to join ongoing Actions, which continue to grow during the funding period.

Albania has been a full member of COST since 2018. It is also one of the Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) — the less research-intensive members, towards which COST specifically directs its inclusiveness policy.

In November 2025, Tirana hosted the 225th COST Senior Officials Meeting (CSO) and the COST Information Day.

Objectives

• To create open, interdisciplinary research networks that give impetus to research advances and innovation.
• To widen participation across Europe, with particular attention to researchers from countries of lower research intensity.
• To serve as a bridge to other funding instruments: the network of contacts built within an Action helps teams form consortia for Horizon Europe and other EU programmes.

Who can apply

Scientific researchers, innovators and professionals from universities, research institutes, industry and public institutions in the Republic of Albania, in any field of science and technology.

Any one person may be involved in a maximum of three active Actions. Applications from researchers who already have three active Actions are automatically rejected.

What it funds

COST funding is dedicated exclusively to cooperation activities — workshops, conferences, working group meetings, training schools, short-term scientific missions, and dissemination and communication activities. COST does not fund the scientific research itself.

The COST Innovators Grant aims to bridge the gap from research to the market introduction of a product or service. The grants run for 12 months and benefit from the same networking activities as COST Actions.

The application process

As a Management Committee (MC) member. Each Action allows up to two representatives per member country. To be nominated, send a CV and a motivation letter, both in English, to cost@nasri.gov.al, putting the Action code (CA______) and its exact title in the subject line. The assessment period may take up to 90 working days. If the application is successful, notification comes by automatic e-mail from the system, with the steps for registering a profile on the COST platform. Where the Action has already begun, the nomination remains pending until the next Management Committee meeting, which may be up to four calendar weeks away.

As a Working Group member. Contact the Action Chair or the Management Committee members from Albania to discuss your contribution. The application can also be made directly through the Action’s page on cost.eu.

In an Action’s activities. Actions offer opportunities to take part through training schools, short-term scientific missions, seminars and conferences. These are promoted on their websites and social media channels.

To propose a new Action. The proposal is made through the COST Open Call, which has a single-stage application process and is open to any field of science.