Virtual Mobility (VM) Grants are a new networking tool launched by the COST Association during the pandemic. They aim to support individual participants to foster collaborative research activities, to network with other researchers, exchange of knowledge, etc. in a virtual setting. As an example, activities supported by VM Grants may include surveys, questionnaires or preparation of protocols, virtual mentoring of activities that can generate capacity, build new skills, etc.

How to apply?

Open Calls

Open Call for Virtual Mobility Grant proposals for the 4th Grant Period

Purpose of the Virtual Mobility Grants

Virtual Mobility (VM) Grants aim to strengthen the existing networks by allowing individual participants to foster collaboration, to exchange knowledge, to learn new techniques, etc. The successful applicants will be selected to perform activities that do not necessarily require in-person presence. These activities may include surveys, questionnaires or preparation of protocols, virtual mentoring of activities that can generate capacity, build new skills, etc. You can find more ideas on activities in Section A2-1.1.2 of the COST annotated rules.

When to apply

You can apply for a VM Grant at any time until the 15th of July 2023 (or until the budget is spent) but the applications will be evaluated at set collection dates. Reminders will continue to be issued periodically to invite and encourage STSM applications. The number of granted proposals is determined by the available budget in each Grant Period.

For the 4th Grant Period (ending in October 2023), the collection dates have been set at: 31st January, 31st March, 31st May, 31st July 2023. VM applications will be evaluated within 2 weeks after the collection dates.

Note: Upon extraordinary conditions, the evaluation of an application may take place between the set collection dates, provided that the applicant adequately justifies this and the Grant Evaluation committee accepts this.

Important instructions

Applications are submitted online at: https://e-services.cost.eu/activity/grants.

You will find all information regarding the procedure, eligibility criteria and the application contents here.

Contact/Further information

For further information, please contact our Grant Awarding Coordinator Penny Labropoulou (penny@athenarc.gr) or Vice-Coordinator Vojtěch Svátek (svatek@vse.cz).