On 19 May 2026, the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of the COST programme approved 80 new COST Actions resulting from Open Call 2025 (OC-2025-1). The new networks will officially launch in autumn 2026, with kick-off Management Committee meetings taking place between September and November 2026.

As of 12 June 2026, the profiles of all newly approved Actions, including their Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), are available on the COST website and open for applications.

Find the full overview of new Actions here:

• Announcement of the 80 new Actions
• Booklet with the full list and summaries (PDF)
• Browse Actions on the COST website

What Are COST Actions and Why Should You Get Involved?

COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a pan-European intergovernmental framework that funds networking activities in science, technology, and innovation. A COST Action is a four-year interdisciplinary research network that brings together researchers, innovators, and other relevant stakeholders from across Europe and beyond.

Unlike many other European programmes, COST Actions do not fund research itself — they provide support for networking, including the organisation of workshops, conferences, Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs), Training Schools, communication activities, and other collaboration tools. The average budget for a single Action is approximately €150,000 in its first year and around €180,000 per year for the remaining three years.

Key Benefits of Participating in COST Actions

• Building an international network: Collaborate with colleagues from dozens of European and non-European countries and institutions.
• Career development: 85% of participants report that involvement contributed to their professional advancement. COST Actions are widely regarded as a "career accelerator", particularly for early-career researchers.
• Access to mobility instruments: Opportunities to receive funding for short-term research visits (STSMs), participation in Training Schools, or ITC Conference Grants.
• Stepping stone to larger projects: Participation in a COST Action significantly increases the chances of success in follow-up funding schemes such as MSCA, ERC, or Horizon Europe collaborative projects.
• Openness and flexibility: You can join a running COST Action at any point during its lifetime — there is no need to have been part of the original proposal.

How to Join a New COST Action

1. Choose an Action: Visit the Browse Actions page to find an Action that matches your research interests. Read its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which describes the objectives, Working Group structure, and planned activities.
2. Contact the Action Chair: It is strongly recommended to reach out to the Main Proposer or Chair of the Action beforehand to discuss how you can contribute to the network.
3. Apply via e-COST: On the page of the selected Action, click the "Apply to join" button and fill in the application form on the e-COST platform. Your application will be reviewed by the Action's Management Committee once the Action starts.
4. Join the Management Committee: If you are interested in becoming a Management Committee member, contact your national COST National Coordinator (CNC). Each COST Member Country can nominate up to two representatives to the Management Committee of each Action.

More Information

If you would like to learn more about the COST programme, opportunities to join the newly approved Actions, or the upcoming Open Call 2026, please do not hesitate to contact jakub.zeman@phil.muni.cz