Conference Grants

Aim & regulations

Conference Grants are aimed at supporting young researchers from International Target Countries to attend high profile international scientific events not specifically organised by the YOUNG-IN. Attendance at European conferences is preferred; conferences held elsewhere can be considered.

The applicant must

a) be a PhD student or young researcher (max 8 years passed from defence of the PhD) with a primary affiliation in an institution located in any of the following countries: 

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Republic of North Macedonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey

b) be engaged in an official research programme as a PhD Student or postdoctoral fellow

c) have an oral/ poster presentation on the topic of the YOUNG-IN listed in the conference’s programme. 

The evaluation of applications and selection of grantees is performed by the STSM Expert Panel. The grant is awarded to support covering participation fee, travel, accommodation, and meal expenses. Different grant amounts can be attributed to each trainee depending on effective needs and budgetary resources.  

Coming Calls

2nd Call for Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) conference grant applications is OPEN

– For conferences occurring no later than the 19th September 2021

– All ITC activities must occur until the date specified above

– Final application deadline is the 9th August 2021

Please, consult following documents for more detailed information:

COST VADEMECUM (https://www.cost.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Vademecum-V8-1-May-20202.pdf)

INCLUSIVENESS TARGET COUNTRIES (ITC) CONFERENCE GRANTS User guide (https://www.cost.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Inclusiveness-Target-Countries-Conference-Grants-userguide-V2-003-Oct-2018-1.pdf).

All other COST documents could be found here: https://www.cost.eu/funding/how-to-get-funding/documents-and-guidelines/

AMOUNT OF GRANTS

Conference Grants do not necessarily cover all the expenses related to participating in a given conference. A Conference Grant is a contribution to the overall travel, accommodation and meal expenses of the selected Grantee.

Please, consider the current COVID-19 situation which has been resulted in many limitations, suspensions and restrictions, so you are strongly advised to

search for more information about travel conditions and restrictions, home and host institution restrictions where national and international recommendations

and regulations should be followed, quarantine issues and all other issues related to the COVID-19 situation.

The calculation of the financial contribution for each Conference Grant shall respect the following criteria:

  • Up to a maximum of EUR 2500 in total can be afforded to each successful applicant.
  • Up to a maximum of EUR 160 per day can be afforded for accommodation and meal expenses.
  • Up to a maximum of EUR 500 can be claimed for the conference fees to be incurred by the selected Grantee. Virtual conference fees can be considered eligible provided all other eligibility conditions are fulfilled.

In addition, when meal and accommodation expenses are supported by the hosting institution as part of the provisions offered in their conference package, the amount for subsistence afforded to each eligible participant shall be deducted from the Grant. Documentary evidence of the conference fee amount shall be provided by the applicant and shall be archived by the Grant Holder along with the relevant administrative documents.

Multiple applications to several Actions by the same person to attend the same conference is strictly forbidden and may lead to the cancellation of the grant.

Different country rates to cover accommodation and meal expenses based on the perceived cost of living in the host country may apply.

The application process is organised on a ”first come first served basis”.

HOW TO APPLY?

The applicant has to complete the online application https://e-services.cost.eu/conferencegrant accompanied with the following documents:

  • Application in PDF
  • CV (including a list of academic publications – if applicable)
  • A short description of personal involvement in this COST Action
  • Acceptance letter from the conference organisers (confirming either your speaking slot or your poster presentation)
  • A copy of the abstract or poster submitted to the conference.

HOW ARE PROPOSALS EVALUATED?

Submitted applications will be reviewed by the STSM/ITCCG Expert Panel. The following criteria will be considered when evaluating the application:

  1. How well is the presentation linked to the theme of YOUNG-IN?
  2. What is the contribution (current or planned) of the applicant to the activities of YOUNG-IN?
  3. What is the level and rank of the conference? (pan-European events of established research networks and associations will be given priority compared to the regional or national events)
  4. Paper presentations will be given priority over posters.

WHEN WILL I KNOW IF I GOT IT?

Application will be assessed by the ITC Expert Panel following which applicants will be informed on the results.

You will know whether your application has been granted within 10 days after submission of the application.

  • The following criteria will be considered when evaluating the application:
  • How well is the presentation linked to the theme of YOUNG-IN?
  • What is the contribution (current or planned) of the applicant to the activities of YOUNG-IN?
  • What is the level and rank of the conference? (pan-European events of established research networks and associations will be given priority compared to the regional or national events)
  • Paper presentations will be given priority over posters.

Expert Panel:

Slaven Gasparovic, University of Zagreb, Croatia, ITCCG Manager

Tali Heiman, The Open University, Israel

Marge Unt, Tallinn University, Estonia

AFTER THE CONFERENCE

After 30 days from the end date of the Conference the grantee has to submit either a certificate of attendance or a report to the ITCCG Manager. Failure to do so will cancel the Grant.

27.01.2021