Virtual Networking Grants:
Call Open until 28th January 2022
COST has developed two new types of Grants to respond to the rising need for digital tools in the context of the pandemic and to ensure continuity of COST Actions’ work activities.
The Virtual Networking Tools include two new types of Grants:
- Virtual Mobility (VM) Grants: to strengthen the existing networks by allowing individual participants to foster collaboration, exchange knowledge, 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.
- Virtual Networking Support (VNS) Grant: to stimulate virtual collaboration among all the members of a given Action by designating a Virtual Networking Support Manager. The successful applicant will be selected to promote the virtual collaboration, such as developing a virtual networking strategy for the Action, taking overall responsibility for Virtual Mobility Grants and supporting the MC in the discussions and planning of virtual events and collaboration activities
Information on COST Website and presentation 
VNT presentation_COST_webinar_7-May-21.pdf
1. VIRTUAL MOBILITY (VM) GRANTS:
Open to all individuals with a primary affiliation to an institution located in a COST Full or Cooperating Member country or a COST Near Neighbour Country participating in the Action. The applicant(s) shall inform the MC about the aim of the VM Grant and how its outcomes will generate benefits to the Action, actively contribute to the overall objectives and relevant deliverables of the Action and submit an activity report at the end, to be approved by the VNS manager on behalf of the MC.
Up to 1,500 EUR per grant.
Deadline: 28th January 2022
For further details of the VM role and criteria please refer to Annex 2 which can be consulted in the COST Annotated Rules: (https://www.cost.eu/funding/how-to-get-funding/documents-guidelines/).
The application process is as follows:
1. Applicants must carefully read the funding rules detailed in Annex 2 in the COST Annotated Rules (https://www.cost.eu/funding/how-to-get-funding/documents-guidelines/) and consult the VNT-userguide.pdf.
2. The applicant will need to encode an application by logging into e-COST and click on the VNT Application tab. To encode a new application you will need to click on ‘Apply for grant’ and select 'CA17122 - Increasing understanding of alien species through citizen science'. If you do not already have an e-COST account you will first need to 'create an account' - which will include providing the details of the bank account into which a grant would be made if an application is approved and the grant completed successfully.
3. Applicants must also send their application form and the relevant supporting documents for evaluation to: CA17122ALIEN-CSI@ceh.ac.uk
VM Application templates:
VM-grant-application-template.docx
2. VIRTUAL NETWORKING SUPPORT (VNS) GRANT:
Open to Action participants with a primary affiliation to an institution located in a COST Full or Cooperating Member country or a COST Near Neighbour Country participating in the Action. The applicant(s) shall be prepared, among others, to develop a virtual networking strategy, coordinate the call for expression of interest for the Virtual Mobility Grants, and draft a report to be approved by the MC (further details are provided in the Vademecum).
One VNS Grant (maximum EUR 4.000) per Action per Grant Year.
Deadline: CLOSED
The application process is as follows:
1. Applicants must carefully consult the VNT-userguide.pdf.
2. The applicant will need to encode an application by logging into e-COST and click on the VNT Application tab. To encode a new application you will need to click on ‘Apply for grant’ and select 'CA17122 - Increasing understanding of alien species through citizen science'. If you do not already have an e-COST account you will first need to 'create an account' - which will include providing the details of the bank account into which a grant would be made if an application is approved and the grant completed successfully.
3. Applicants must also send their application form and the relevant supporting documents for evaluation to: CA17122ALIEN-CSI@ceh.ac.uk
VNS Application templates:
VNS-grant-application-template.docx
VNS-grant-report-template.docx