As part of the COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) program, a call for proposals for 2026 for new international COST Actions will open this summer. The submission of proposals via the e-COST platform will begin on July 31, 2026, and close on October 28, 2026. This year, the program introduces several new features and changes to the rules.
Here is a brief overview of the changes:
Expanded network of proposers
- Previously, the network consisted of at least 7 entities from COST countries, of which at least 50% had to come from countries designated as “inclusivity” countries (including the Czech Republic). Now, at least 40% of proposers must be young researchers and innovators (under 40 years of age).
One role per call
- Within each call, a person may participate in only one proposal for a new COST Action, either as the Main Proposer or as a Secondary Proposer.
Changes to the e-COST system
- The technical annex is no longer a separate document but becomes an integral part of the online proposal submission process.
More funding opportunities
- COST plans to fund up to 80 new Actions under the 2026 call (an increase from 70 last year). This increases applicants’ chances of success and expands opportunities for mobility and knowledge transfer.
Timeline
- The e-COST proposal submission system will open on July 31, 2026 (12:00 PM) and close on October 28, 2026 (12:00 PM).
You can start building your network and preparing your proposal right away. General requirements can be found in the Guidelines for Applicants and the Call for Proposals in the Documents and Guidelines section.
Information Day
If you would like to learn more about participating in the call for proposals and the application process, please join our online information day. You will learn about the role and impact of the COST program, as well as the benefits it offers.
Date: June 16, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: online (Zoom)
Registration: Registration is required for this event. REGISTRATION.
Anyone interested in assistance with submitting a grant application may also contact the staff at the Project Service Office at Palacký University in Olomouc. We look forward to working with you!
What are COST Actions?
COST Actions are interdisciplinary research networks that bring together researchers and innovators to explore a selected topic over a four-year period. COST Actions typically consist of researchers from academia, small and medium-sized enterprises, public institutions, and other relevant organizations or stakeholders. They are open to all scientific and technological fields, including new and emerging fields; they offer an inclusive, pan-European environment for individuals at all career stages, where they can expand their professional research networks and advance their careers. Funding covers costs primarily for networking activities (meetings, workshops, and conferences; short-term researcher exchanges; training; internships; and virtual mobility). Research itself is not funded from these resources. The estimated budget for the COST action is EUR 150,000 in the first year and an average of EUR 180,000 per year for the following three years.
Source: cost.eu