STSM

Description

Short Term Scientific Missions are exchange visits between researchers involved in a COST Action, allowing scientists to visit an institution or laboratory in another COST country. They are aimed at fostering collaboration, sharing new techniques and infrastructure that may not be available in other participants' institutions or laboratories. Successful applicants receive a fixed grant of up to €2500 for their overall expenses.

Rules

For a detailed and complete description of the eligibility rules and financial support according to COST, please consult the latest version of the COST Vademecum, at the relevant section. We summarize below the most important points.

Eligibility

Min duration: 5 days
Max duration: 90 days
Up to €2500 in total to each successful applicant
Up to €160 per day to each successful applicant

The applicant can be a PhD student, a PostDoc or staff member from an institution located in a TIDES COST Participating Country or in a Near Neighbour Country part of TIDES.

NOTE:

The grant amount will be transferred only AFTER the successful completion of the STSM and once the grantee has written a short report on the research visit.
It is possible to change the dates of a successful STSM application if both applicant and host agree. The applicant must contact the STSM coordinator and inform him of the suggested change. However, the STSM duration should not be reduced!!!! STSMs that do fall short of the originally specified duration will not be reimbursed the full amount originally allocated. The budget reduction will be prorated to the original budget allocated.

Topic

The proposed STSMs projects should fall within the field of research defined by the TIDES action. For more info look at our WG topics.

Application Procedure

When a call is open:

1) Follow this link to apply on-line for a Short-Term Scientific Mission: apply on-line

2) Send a formal STSM application by e-mail to the STSM coordinator of the Action ES1401 (mdsilveira@NOSPAMfc.ul.pt) consisting of:

A cover letter stating the science topic of the STSM (for information on this action science topics, please visit TIDES webpage http://www.tides-cost.eu)
A copy of the “COST STSM Application form” which has been filled on-line
A description/work-plan of the proposed visit (in PDF format) – no more than two A4 pages
A detailed Curriculum
A letter of acceptance from the Host institute of the STSM
A letter from either the Host or Home institute indicating any extra support that may be given to the applicant (if applicable)
In the case of PhD students applicants, a support letter for the proposed visit from their advisor.

After the STSM

The grantee is required to submit a short scientific report (main text of 3-5 pages with any attachments if necessary) to the STSM coordinator for approval by the STSM Committee and subsequently by the Management Committee within 30 days after the end date of the STSM keeping the STSM host institution in copy.

This report will include (but not restricted to):

The objectives of the STSM
A short description of the work carried out during the STSM
A description of the main results obtained, stating (if applicable) any deviations from the initial purposes, possible impacts achieved or expected
An indication of any problems that may have appeared;
A reference to future collaboration with the host institution (if applicable)
A letter by the host institution, confirming the successful execution of the STSM
The actual results that may be used directly by the COST action (beyond the 2-5 pages, e.g. to be included in the action’s deliverables)
Other comments (if any)

Failure to submit the scientific report within 30 days after the end of the STSM will effectively cancel the grant.