Introduction
Founded in 1971, COST (European Co-operation in the Field of Scientific and Technical Research) is an intergovernmental framework for European Co-operation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research, allowing the co-ordination of nationally funded research at a European level. Cyprus participates in the COST Programme since 1996 as an observer, and from May 1999 as a full member.
COST has developed into one of the largest frameworks for research co-operation in Europe and is a valuable mechanism for the co-ordination national research activities in Europe. Today, COST involves approximately 30,000 scientists from 34 European member countries and more than 160 participating institutions from 23 non-member countries and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Benefits from participating in COST
COST has clearly shown its strength in non-competitive research, in pre-normative co-operation and in solving environmental and cross-border problems and problems of public utility. It has been successfully used to maximise European synergy and added value in research co-operation and it is a useful tool to further European integration, in particular concerning Central and Eastern European countries. Ease of access for institutions from non-member countries also makes COST a very interesting and successful tool for tackling topics of a truly global nature.
The Programme gives the opportunity to researchers to discuss issues relative to their discipline. Participation in COST Actions enables the coordination of researchers Actions. This kind of cooperation fosters the submission of proposals relating to other European Programmes.