COST – European Cooperation in the Field of Scientific and Technical Research
Encyclopedia
Objectives
COST contributes towards the realisation of the European Research AreaEuropean Research Area
The European Research Area is a system of scientific research programmes integrating the scientific resources of the European Union . Since its inception in 2000, the structure has been concentrated on multi-national co-operation in the fields of medical, environmental, industrial and...
and is presently used by the scientific communities of 36 European countries to cooperate in common research projects supported by national funds. Projects (called "COST Actions") cover basic and pre-competitive research as well as activities of public utility.
COST anticipates and complements the activities of the Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development
Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development
The Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development, also called Framework Programmes or abbreviated FP1 through FP8, are funding programmes created by the European Union in order to support and encourage research in the European Research Area...
, works with the scientific communities of emerging countries, increases the mobility of researchers across Europe and fosters the establishment of "Networks of Excellence".
Finance
The Seventh Framework Programme foresees EUR 210 million in support for COST (2007–2013) with the possibility of another EUR 40 million depending on a positive mid-term evaluation in 2010. The panel that conducted the mid-term evaluation in 2010 "recommend that the appropriate process be put in place to allocate the additional €40 million reserved in FP7 for COST".Structure
COST has around 200 running "COST Actions" in nine scientific domains:- Biomedicine and Molecular Biosciences
- Chemistry and Molecular Sciences and Technologies
- Earth System Science and Environmental Management
- Food and Agriculture
- Forests, their Products and Services
- Individuals, Societies, Cultures and Health
- Information and Communication Technologies
- Materials, Physics and Nanosciences
- Transport and Urban Development
In addition, "Trans-Domain Proposals" give the opportunity to strike across the scientific domains. COST Domain Committees are composed of scientists of the European scientific community. Its highest decision-making body is the "Committee of Senior Officials" which consists of COST country representatives. The European Science Foundation
European Science Foundation
The European Science Foundation is an association of 78 member organisations devoted to scientific research in 30 European countries. It is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit organisation that facilitates cooperation and collaboration in European research and development, European...
implements the COST Office through a contract with the Directorate-General for Research
Directorate-General for Research (European Commission)
The Directorate-General for Research or DG Research, located in Brussels, is a Directorate-General of the European Commission.- Mission :The Directorate General’s mission is evolving as work on the European Research Area continues...
.
See also
- COST Action IC0905 TERRA - Techno-economic policy for Cognitive radioCognitive radioA cognitive radio is a kind of two-way radio that automatically changes its transmission or reception parameters, in a way where the entire wireless communication network -- of which it is a node -- communicates efficiently, while avoiding interference with licensed or licensed exempt users...
- COST Action 231Cost 231 ModelThe COST-Hata-Model is the most often cited of the COST 231 models. Also called the Hata Model PCS Extension, it is a radio propagation model that extends the Hata Model to cover a more elaborated range of frequencies...
- Radio Propagation models such as Hata Model - COST Action MP0902 - Composites of Inorganic nanotubes and Polymers