Short Term Scientific Mission

Call is opened

6th Call for Short Term Scientific Missions (STSM) applications for missions occurring between 1st February 2022 and 31st August 2022 is opened.

Applications will be reviewed on first- come- first- served basis

Aim & regulations

Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) are exchange visits aimed at supporting individual mobility, strengthening existing networks and fostering collaboration between YOUNG-IN Participants. A STSM should contribute to the scientific objectives of the YOUNG-IN, whilst at the same time allowing visiting scholars to learn new techniques, gain access to specific data, instruments and methods not available in their own institutions.

STSMs are intended especially for (but not restricted to) young researchers.  Up to a maximum of EUR 160 per day can be afforded for accommodation and meal expenses. An STSM Grant is a fixed financial contribution which takes into consideration the budget request of the applicant and the outcome of the evaluation of the STSM application. STSM Grants do not necessarily cover all expenses related to undertaking a given mission.

The applicant is responsible for choosing and contacting the Host institution and for organizing the application process. All applicants must register for an e-COST profile at https://e-services.cost.eu/ and complete the online application form attaching the following documents:
– STSM Application https://www.cost.eu/STSM_GrantApplication  (including Workplan – Workplan should include objectives for visit, time-line and core tasks to be undertaken; expected outputs and  deliverables (e.g. new research model; draft outline of peer review publication); Work plan should be
structured with a particular research question in mind and with a view to developing work that will form the basis for a possible
peer review publication);
– CV (including a list of academic publications – if applicable);
– A letter of support from the Home Institution;
– Written agreement from the Host Institution that the STSM applicant can perform the activities detailed in the STSM work plan on the agreed dates;

Within 30 days after the end date of the STSM, the grantee must submit a scientific report to the Host institution. The scientific report should cover purpose of the STSM, description of work carried out during the STSM, description of the main results obtained and future collaborations (if applicable). It is obligatory to use a scientific report template which is available on the e-COST Supporting documents page or on-line here: https://www.cost.eu/STSM_Report

After the submission of the scientific report to the Host institution, the grantee must acquire an official acceptance confirmation from a researcher affiliated to the Host institution formally accepting the scientific report. The host approval of the report can be an email confirming that the STSM took place and the goals outlined in the Work plan were reached.

The grantee must upload both documents (scientific report and host acceptance confirmation email, both in pdf) to e-COST system, otherwise completion procedure will not be possible.

Applications will be assessed by the STSM Committee after the Call closure. Funding will be awarded according to the key principles of quality and excellence, country and gender balance, and inclusivity.
If the number of positively evaluated applications exceeds the number of offered grants, waiting list will be formed in case an additional STSM budget becomes available. Waiting list will be valid for this Grant Period only. Applicants included in the waiting list will be contacted about when and if additional grants will be available.

Review Committee:

Slaven Gasparovic, University of Zagreb, Croatia, STSM Coordinator
Tali Heiman, The Open University, Israel
Marge Unt, Tallin University, Estonia

More general details about STSMs could be found here: Annotated Rules for COST Actions https://www.cost.eu/funding/how-to-get-funding/documents-guidelines/

Passed missions

• Gintare Edintaite (Kaunas University of Technology) visited Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland in March 2019
• Triin Lauri (Tallinn University) visited Konstanz University, Germany in February 2019
• Rumiana Stoilova (Institute for the Study of Societies and Knowledge to the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) visited University of Bamberg, Germany in February 2019
• Muhammed Abdulai (Tallinn University) visited Aalborg University, Denmark in January 2019
• Anna Broka (Tallinn University) visited University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Switzerland in January 2020
• Tatjana Zorcec (University Children’s Hospital, North Macedonia) visited University of Belgrade, Serbia in February 2020
• Marge Unt (Tallinn University) visited University of Bamberg, Germany in February 2020
• Francisco Javier Moreno Fuentes (Institute of Public Goods and Policies, Spain) visited European Parliament, Belgium in March 2020
• Mirza Emirhafizovic (University of Sarajevo) visited University of Porto, Portugal in March 2020
• Mirza Emirhafizovic  (University of Sarajevo) visited University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal in April 2020
• Astrida Skrinda (Daugavpils University) visited Tallinn University, Estonia in October 2021
• Anu Toots (Tallinn University) visited University of Valencia, Spain in Marsh and April 2022
• Marge Unt (Tallinn University) visited Turin University, Italy in April 2022

POTENTIAL STSM HOST PROFILE