Apply for COST Open Call 2026 – Research Funding Up to €600,000

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) is a European research and innovation funding organisation that supports networking and collaboration among researchers and innovators. COST Actions bring together experts from different countries and disciplines to develop research networks, exchange knowledge and strengthen scientific collaboration. The programme follows a bottom-up approach, allowing researchers to propose networks around emerging scientific, technological, economic, cultural and societal challenges. COST supports interdisciplinary cooperation across a wide range of science and technology fields. Selected Actions generally operate for four years and provide funding for networking activities that connect researchers, support knowledge exchange and encourage the participation of young researchers and innovators.ry global issues.

The COST Open Call 2026 invites proposals for new COST Actions that create interdisciplinary research networks addressing scientific, technological and societal challenges. The 2026 call is expected to approve up to 80 new COST Actions, subject to available funding. A COST Action normally runs for four years and its funding supports networking rather than research infrastructure or direct research costs. Eligible networking activities can include meetings and events, Short-Term Scientific Missions, Training Schools, communication activities and virtual networking tools. The estimated budget is around €140,000 in the first year and an average of €180,000 annually during the following three years, with approximately €600,000 over four years depending on the Action and available budget.