There are various steps to follow to join a COST Action. It mainly depends on the location of the institution.

For institutions from the 36 COST Member Countries and one Cooperating State:

• If your country has not yet accepted the Action's Memorandum of Understanding:

contact your CNC who can launch your country's participation procedure in the relevant Action (only possible if national funding for the Actions’ activity is available). Once done, the CNC can officially nominate you as a representative of your country to the MC committee. It is also recommended that you inform the Chair of the Action of your interest.

• If your country has already accepted the Action's Memorandum of Understanding,-
  • - but has not yet nominated 2 representatives: contact your COST National Coordinator (CNC) who can officially nominate you as a representative of your country to the Management Committee (MC). It is also recommended that you inform the Chair of the Action of your interest.
  • - and has already nominated 2 representatives: contact the Action Chair for possible nomination by the Management Committee (MC) to a Working Group (WG).

 

• For institutions from Near Neighbour Countries and International Partner Countries:

Researchers from institutions in Near Neighbour Countries and International Partner Countries can participate in COST Actions on the basis of mutual benefit (see the Rules for International Cooperation and Specific Organisations Participation ), to be approved by the Executive Board on a case-by-case basis.

Once their participation is approved, researchers from these countries can participate in the relevant COST Action. In the Management Committee of the Action they are considered as Management Committee Observers (with no right to vote).

Additionally, when more than two institutions from the same near Neighbour Country or International Partner Country participate in a COST Action they are requested to coordinate their participation, as they can be represented by a total maximum of two members in the Management Committee of a COST Action.

Financial support

Researchers from Near Neighbour Countries are eligible for reimbursement, whereas researchers from International Partner Countries are not.