Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung 1 COST – a flexible research networking tool European COoperation in Science and Technology Estonia, 24 August 2011 (based on presentations by SER/COST and COST Office) by Dr. Eva M. Klaper, SER Switzerland a)European framework b)COST in general c)COST in Switzerland

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung 2 Part a) European Framework European Research and Innovation Area ERA Concept launched in 2000 in order to go beyond a purely programmatic approach to research at EU level: towards an EU research policy (Lisbon Treaty) - objective of completing ERA by 2014 Although a model pupil within ERA for many indicators, the Swiss position within ERA and its related initiatives is often unclear because initiatives in the name of ERA have been launched in many different fields: Some are policy related (eg. social insurances or visa), others are «open» (eg. Charter and code) Limits of the Swiss association with regard to ERA-related funding initiatives (Technology Platforms, Art. 185, Joint Programming, EIT,.) Switzerland is associated to the EU Framework Programme

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung 3 Complementarity of European programs

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 4 Part b) COST in general The COST Mission: COST enables break-through scientific developments leading to new concepts and products and thereby contributes to strengthen Europes research and innovation capacities. COST is a unique means for European researchers to jointly develop their own ideas and new initiatives across all scientific disciplines through trans-European networking of nationally funded research activities. Through its inclusiveness COST supports integration of research communities, leverages national research investments and addresses issues of global relevance. COST reflects the human dimension of science, supporting researchers to share not only the results of their work but also their aims and methods.

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 5 COST main characteristics Bottom-up – no predefined priorities Coordination through cooperation in networks Networks based on funded research projects – national responsibility Non-competitive norms and standards; public utility Enabling agent – e.g. promotion of Early Stage Researchers Flexible participation – join in if you are interested Pan-European dimension / inclusiveness Open to global cooperation in the mutual interest Equal access / open call Focus often on multidisciplinary cooperation

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 6 COST dimensions Scientific Dimension – 269 Running COST Actions (in 2010) – Participating Researchers in Europe Geographic Dimension of membership – 35 Member States + 1 Co-operating state (Israel) – 4 Reciprocal cooperation agreements (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) Global Dimension – 38 non-COST countries participating with 459 institutions in 143 COST Actions (April 2011) Financial Dimension – EC Contribution: Euro 240 Mio. FP7 (0.49%)

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 7 The COST Open Call COST Open Call = thematically open and bottom up – Encourages multidisciplinary proposals – Encourages activities of early stage researchers Selection criteria are public and transparent Two collection dates per year (next: 30 September 2011, 17h00) 2-stage process / peer reviewed Time to COST Action: first meeting after 7 to 9 months after the collection date

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 8 COST Action life cycle (duration 4 years) CSO approves MoU CSO approves MoU Two Stage Process (approx. 6 months) Dissemination (x years) time Open Call Collection Date Implementation (4 years) Monitoring DC assesses pre-proposals Assessment Evaluation 1 st MC Meeting External experts & DC assess full proposals

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 9 COST scientific & technical Domains Biomedicine and Molecular Biosciences (BMBS) Chemistry and Molecular Sciences & Technologies (CMST) Earth System Science & Environmental Management (ESSEM) Food & Agriculture (FA) Forests, their Products and Services (FPS) Individuals, Society, Culture & Health (ISCH) Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) Materials, Physical & Nanosciences (MPNS) Transport & Urban Development (TUD) + Trans – Domain COST Actions

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 10 What is funded by the COST general budget? COST Actions receive a financial contribution based on a joint work programme for 4 years for: Action management and working group meetings Scientific workshops and seminars Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) Training Schools and Research Conferences Dissemination (publications, etc.) Strategic activities: to explore future scientific or societal needs, support policy developments or stimulate new activities Average funding ~ per year per Action

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 11 Who scientists from universities, public bodies, companies (industry and SMEs), etc. Minimum participation scientists from 5 different COST countries non-COST country participation is possible, but with some funding restrictions No closed consortia! Participation

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 12 The COST National Coordinator (CNC) Every COST country has a National Coordinator (National Contact Point) who Nominates Delegates to Domain and Management Committees Advises in all COST related matters Liaises with relevant institutions and the COST Office, whenever necessary The CNC provides a country specific portfolio of support measures e.g. national COST meetings for participants Switzerland: CNC at the State Secretariat for Education and Research

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 13 The COST CSO member Every COST country has a CSO* member with political tasks. The CSO member Represents his/her country in the COST CSO Liaises with relevant institutions / ministries and the COST Council Secretariat, whenever necessary * COST Governence: Committee of Senior Officials CSO Switzerland: CSO member at the State Secretariat for Education and Research

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 14 Role of the State Secretariat The role of the State Secretariat for Education and Research SER is to represent Switzerland in the governance of COST (CSO and CNC) prepare the political and financial basis for COST in Switzerland (Bill to Parliament , ) decide about Swiss participation in COST Actions (sign Actions) manage the Swiss COST budgetline (2011: CHF 6.3 Mio.) give support to researchers in all questions related to COST inform a broader public about COST activities

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 15 Swiss participation in COST over time

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 16 Swiss participation in COST Actions - Action level (1) Switzerland based researchers can submit proposals for new COST Actions to the COST Open Call Information and support from the SER Switzerland based researchers can participate in existing Actions: Contact the SER Statement of Interest Switzerland signs (accepts) the Action Participation in the Actions Management Committee and working groups

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 17 Swiss participation in COST Actions - project level (2) Switzerland based researchers can submit their research proposals for COST Actions to national funding agencies like the SNF and, in addition, also to the SER (Swiss COST Budget Line): 2 deadlines per year peer review (excellence criteria) Funding max. CHF 180k per project (max 3 years) Funding SMEs and industry max 50% No right to receive SER funding through participation in an Action seed – money: in particular for young researchers and to open up national activities

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 18 Swiss COST budget Line This budget Line (CHF 5.4 Mio. In 2011) is earmarked for COST and is used for: Support of networking activities in Switzerland related to COST Actions DC / MC / WG meetings in CH may be topped up Meetings / conferences organized by Swiss COST Participants in Switzerland may apply for funding Organization of COST Days Support of research projects Funding max. CHF 180k per project (max 3 years) PhD positions and young PostDocs (or similar qualifications)

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 19 Swiss COST Information System (COST-IMS) at the SER The SER operates a custom-made COST database (since 1992) which contains information on A list of all COST Actions Information on all COST participants in Management Committees Information on all COST participants in Domain Committees Information (scientific and financial) on all COST research projects with financial support from SER All reviewers of SER/COST research projects Short descriptions/abstracts of projects (CDROM / Website) The Swiss COST budget line Search functions

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 20 The Swiss participants: snapshot SER funded research

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 21 Guidelines for participation (general and specific for Switzerland) Annual Report (Swiss participation) Annual CDROM (SER funded Swiss projects plus some COST documents) COST section on SER website Various publications in Euresearch e-newsletter, SER News, etc. (Euresearch = FP7 Information plattform, NCPs) Products of the Swiss COST Office

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 22 Switzerland: State Secretariat for Education and Research International: COST Officehttp:// Thank you for your attention!

Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Staatssekretariat für Bildung und Forschung Estonia, 24 August 2011/Kl 23 In charge of Customer-service (Researchers) Enhances visibility and gives support to researchers for EU-FP7 COST FP-connected initiatives Appears as free Service Publique In charge of Policy and Political Decisions Communicates and disseminates Swiss participations, Swiss Strategies, Swiss Research Policy Official contacts to Governments and Parliaments (CH, EU, other states) SEREuresearch