Grants

Call for Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSM) Applications 2025

What are STSMs?

Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) are exchange visits between researchers or innovators involved in the ORBIT COST Action. These missions allow participants to:

  • Advance their research by accessing expertise, facilities, or datasets not available in their home institution.
  • Foster collaboration and interdisciplinary knowledge exchange.
Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for an STSM, applicants must:

  1. Be actively affiliated with a participating institution in the ORBIT COST Action.
  2. Be an Early Career Investigator (ECI) or a researcher from an Inclusiveness Target Country (ITC), though applications from senior researchers are also welcome.
  3. Have a research proposal that aligns with the scientific objectives of the Action.
  4. Obtain a letter of acceptance from the host institution prior to applying.
Call for Grants 2026 Flyer
Checklist for Evaluating:

1. Eligibility

  • Affiliation: Is the applicant actively affiliated with a participating institution in the ORBIT COST Action?
  • Host Institution: Is the host institution in a different country from the applicant’s home institution?
  • Duration: Does the STSM duration comply with COST Action rules (typically 5 to 90 days, or up to 180 days for Early Career Investigators)?

2. Work Plan

  • Clarity of Objectives: Are the research goals clearly defined and achievable within the STSM period?
  • Methodology: Is the research methodology sound and appropriate for the project?
  • Expected Outcomes: Does the application outline clear, measurable outcomes, such as publications, collaborations, or further research developments?
  • Growth potential: Does the candidate clearly explain how the STSM will support their personal and professional growth?

3. Scientific Relevance and Relation to ORBIT

  • Alignment with Action Objectives: Does the proposed research align with the scientific objectives of the ORBIT COST Action?
  • Contribution to Working Groups: Does the proposal specify how the STSM will contribute to a specific Working Group within the ORBIT COST Action?
  • Broader Impact: Does the research contribute to the overall goals of the ORBIT COST Action?
  • Feasibility: Is the STSM feasible within the time frame and resources available?

4. Applicant’s Qualifications

  • Experience and Expertise: Assess the applicant’s CV, academic publications, and previous work on the STSM proposal.
  • Early Career Investigators: Give special consideration to Early Career Investigators (ECIs).

5. Host

  • Suitability of Host: Is the host well-equipped to support the proposed research (e.g., facilities, expertise)?
  • Confirmation of Support: Does the host provide a strong letter of support?

6. Budget and Financials

  • Budget Justification: Is the requested budget reasonable and well-justified based on the STSM duration and costs?
  • Financial Limitations: Does the budget adhere to the financial limits (€2000) set by the ORBIT COST Action?

7. Inclusiveness and Diversity

  • Geographical Inclusiveness: Give preference to applicants from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs).
  • Gender Balance: Consider gender balance as a factor when selecting applications.

1. Eligibility

  • Affiliation: Is the applicant affiliated with an institution in an Inclusiveness Target Country (ITC) participating in the ORBIT COST Action?
  • Career Stage: Is the applicant a PhD student or a young researcher (typically within 8 years of PhD completion and under 40 years old)?
  • Conference Type: Is the conference international and not organized by a COST Action?
  • Timing: Was the application submitted before the start of the conference?

2. Conference Plan

  • Presentation Involvement: Has the applicant submitted or been accepted to present a poster or oral presentation?
  • Clarity of Motivation: Is the motivation letter clear, well-articulated, and demonstrating specific scientific and career development goals?
  • Relevance of Conference: Is the conference scientifically relevant to the applicant’s field and aligned with the ORBIT COST Action?

3. Scientific Relevance and Relation to ORBIT

  • Alignment with ORBIT Objectives: Is the conference topic relevant to the scientific aims of the ORBIT COST Action?
  • Contribution to Working Groups: Will participation enhance the applicant’s involvement in ORBIT Working Groups or follow-up collaboration?
  • Broader Impact: Will the participation result in enhanced networking, knowledge exchange, or future contributions to ORBIT?

4. Applicant’s Qualifications

  • Academic Background: Does the applicant’s CV reflect potential and alignment with the COST Action?
  • Career Stage Consideration: Are they an Early Career Investigator, and does the application show professional development potential?

5. Conference Quality

  • Reputation of Conference: Is the conference scientifically credible, internationally recognized, and appropriate for the applicant’s research stage?
  • Networking Opportunities: Will the applicant have meaningful networking, visibility, and feedback opportunities at the conference?

6. Budget and Financials

  • Budget Justification: Is the budget reasonable and well-documented (registration, travel, accommodation)?
  • COST Compliance: Does it follow the COST rules for conference grant ceilings and eligible expenses?

7. Inclusiveness and Diversity

  • Geographical Inclusiveness: Priority for applicants from ITCs not yet represented or underrepresented in previous rounds.
  • Gender Balance: Consider gender equity when evaluating applications.

1. Eligibility

  • Affiliation: Is the applicant affiliated with an institution in a COST Member or Cooperating Member country participating in the ORBIT COST Action?
  • Career Stage: Is the applicant a Young Researcher and Innovator (YRI) — typically within 8 years of PhD completion and under 40 years old?
  • Conference Type: Is the conference international, high-impact, and not organized by a COST Action?
  • Timely Application: Was the application submitted before the conference start date and within the current Grant Period?

2. Conference Plan

  • Presentation Participation: Has the applicant submitted or been accepted to give an oral or poster presentation?
  • Motivation and Objectives: Is the motivation letter well-developed, articulating clear learning goals, expected benefits, and how the conference supports the applicant’s development?
  • Strategic Relevance: Does the conference align with the applicant’s research or innovation goals and the ORBIT COST Action?

3. Scientific Relevance and Relation to ORBIT

  • Alignment with Action Goals: Is the conference topic related to key research areas or Working Groups of the ORBIT COST Action?
  • Potential for Contribution: Will the applicant’s participation result in follow-up activities, collaborations, or integration into ORBIT Working Groups?
  • Broader Impact: Will participation help foster innovation, interdisciplinary dialogue, or knowledge transfer relevant to ORBIT?

4. Applicant’s Qualifications

  • Research Background: Does the applicant’s CV reflect a solid academic or innovation-oriented profile that benefits from the conference?
  • Innovation Track Record: Is there evidence of research creativity, practical applications, or problem-solving capacity?
  • Stage of Development: Is this a key moment in the applicant’s trajectory to benefit from broader exposure or input?

5. Conference Quality

  • Academic/Innovation Reputation: Is the conference a recognized, high-quality venue in the applicant’s field?
  • Opportunities for Growth: Will participation offer career-boosting experiences (networking, mentoring, expert feedback)?

6. Budget and Financials

  • Budget Soundness: Is the proposed budget (travel, accommodation, registration) justified and reasonable?
  • COST Rules Compliance: Does it comply with COST Grant Awarding rules, including max limits for YRI Conference Grants?

7. Inclusiveness and Diversity

  • Geographical Inclusiveness: Is the applicant from an Inclusiveness Target Country (ITC) or a COST Inclusiveness Priority group?
  • Gender Balance: Consider gender and broader equity dimensions when prioritizing applications.
  • Widening Participation: Priority for first-time grantees or applicants from underrepresented institutions or countries.

1. Alignment with ORBIT Objectives

  • Does the proposal support ORBIT’s MoU goals and strengthen collaboration through innovative online or hybrid approaches?
  • Does it contribute to European leadership in knowledge and innovation?

2. Added Value for the Action

  • Will the plan enhance collaboration, inclusivity, and visibility within the ORBIT network?
  • Does it address existing gaps or challenges in internal or external collaboration?

3. Benefits for the Grantee

  • Is the grantee’s profile suitable for leading virtual networking activities?
  • Does the position help the grantee develop valuable digital collaboration and coordination skills?

4. Strategy and Implementation

  • Is there a clear, actionable strategy for online and hybrid networking that aligns with ORBIT’s needs and timeline?
  • Does the proposal include effective coordination of events, technical preparation, and follow-up?

5. Tools and Communication

  • Are appropriate, GDPR-compliant tools proposed with attention to usability and value for money?
  • Is online networking integrated into ORBIT’s communication and dissemination strategy?

6. Outcomes and Feasibility

  • Are the expected results realistic, measurable, and relevant to ORBIT’s objectives?
  • Is the plan feasible within the given resources and timeframe?
  • Are the resources and budget allocations clearly justified and aligned with COST principles?
  • Does it show potential for sustainable impact beyond the grant period?
Financial Support
  • Funding Coverage: Grants cover travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs, up to €2000 per STSM.
  • Reimbursement: All expenses will be reimbursed based on actual costs and must comply with COST rules.
How to Apply for an STSM

Follow these steps to apply:

  1. Applications need to be submitted through e-COST via https://e-services.cost.eu/activity/grants
  2. The application will be assessed by the Grant Awarding and approved by the Core group leaders
  3. The applicant will be formally notified of the outcome of their STSM application by the Grant Awarding Coordinator no more than 4 weeks after the application was received.

Successful applicants need to complete and submit a STSM report, within 30 days from the end date of the activity, or 15 days after the end of the Grant Period, whichever date comes first.

Application Deadline
Application for 2025 Closed
Don’t miss this opportunity to collaborate, learn, and advance your research in the ORBIT COST Action!

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