1. To be read in conjunction with COST VADEMECUM Part 1: COST Action
SARCOS
CA 15202
GUIDE FOR APPLICANTS
To be read in conjunction with COST VADEMECUM Part 1: COST Action

2. THE APPLICANT
OBJECTIVES OF STSM
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
EVALUATION PROCESS

3. THE APPLICANT
Eligible applicants* must be engaged in a research programme: PhD students, postdoctoral fellows or researchers, officially affiliated to an institution or legal entity, public or private.
The institution where the applicant is affiliated is the HOME institution.
The institution hosting the applicant is the HOST Institution.
The HOME and HOST institution should be located in different countries. STSMs within the same country are NOT ELIGIBLE.
Early Career Investigator (ECI) are researchers within a time span of up to 8 years from the date they obtained their PhD/doctorate (full-time equivalent).
* Master students are not eligible

4. OBJECTIVES OF STSM
To support short term missions contributing to the scientific scope of the SARCOS ACTION
To stimulate mobility of researchers and cross fertilization among different WG
To strengthen the exploitation and dissemination plan
To build ties between partners
To stimulate the research career of young researchers and experiences abroad
MISSIONS: FROM 5 UP TO 90 DAYS*
* Early Career Investigators (ECI) may extend beyond 91 days up to 180 days

5. STSM-Eligibility Rules
STSM must respect the following criteria:
1. They must have a minimum duration of 5 days.
2. They must have a maximum duration of 90 days.
3. STSM need to be carried out in their entirety within a single Grant Period and always within the Action’s lifetime.
Specific additional provisions have been enacted by the CSO to encourage the participation of Early Career Investigators (ECI) in STSM. To qualify for these specific provisions, the following conditions apply:
1. The mission must have a minimum duration of 91 days.
2. The mission must have a maximum duration of 180 days.
3. STSM performed by ECI need to be carried out in their entirety within a single Grant Period and always within the Action’s lifetime.

6. STSM-Financial Rules
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. A STSM Grant is a contribution to the overall travel, accommodation and meal expenses of the Grantee.
The calculation of the financial contribution for each STSM must respect the following criteria:
up to a maximum of EUR in total can be afforded to each successful STSM applicant;
up to a maximum of EUR 160 per day can be afforded for accommodation and meal expenses.
For ECIs, the calculation for an increased financial contribution must respect the following criteria:
up to a maximum of EUR in total can be afforded to ECIs for missions with a duration of between 91 and 180 days;

7. THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The applicant must:
Provide the written agreement of the HOST institution and of the HOME institution, using the template provided, whenever possible
Complete the application form
Provide a maximum 2 pages CV, highlighting the indicators that are relevant for the STSM scope.
Make your registration at
Submit the application in a unique pdf file at at:

8. EVALUATION PROCESS EVALUATION PANEL
Evaluation by a panel of 3 experts, having no conflicts of interest appointed by the STSM
Reviewers selected from different WG
In case of conflict the Action Chair will be called
EVALUATION RANKING
Quantitative Marks
Gender issue balance
Geographical inclusiveness

9. EVALUATION PROCESS For each criterion: Marks: 1 to 5
RELEVANCE FOR THE COST ACTION (Weight 30%)
Compliance with the objective and work plan of the CA
Impact for the CA
SCIENTIFIC QUALITY OF THE WORK PLAN (Weight 40%)
Scientific relevance of the research programme
Industrial relevance of the research programme outcomes
SCIENTIFIC QUALITY OF THE APPLICANT AND HOST (Weight 30%)
Skills of the applicant
Facilities and conditions offered by the host institution
For each criterion:
Marks: 1 to 5
Where: 1 is poor, 2 fair, 3 good, 4 very good, 5 excellent

10. APPLICATION FORMS (3 pages maximum)
TITLE, IDENTIFICATION, GENDER AND INSTITUTIONS (AND COUNTRIES) INVOLVED*
OBJECTIVES AND RELEVANCE FOR THE COST ACTION
Detailed work plan
Compliance with the objective and work plan of the CA
Impact for the CA
Max 1 page
SCIENTIFIC QUALITY OF THE WORK PLAN
Expected output of the research programme
Scientific relevance of the research programme
Industrial relevance of the research programme outcomes
SCIENTIFIC QUALITY OF THE APPLICANT AND HOST
Skills of the applicant
Facilities and conditions offered by the host institution
*EXCLUDED FROM PAGES LIMIT

11. FINANCIAL RULES*
Contribution for a STSM:
• The reimbursement rate per day is EUR 160 maximum
• Up to EUR 500 may be attributed for the travel expenses
• A maximum of EUR in total can be awarded to the grantee
Contribution for an ESR STSM (for duration of more than 91 days):
• A maximum of EUR in total can be awarded to the grantee
(ADDITIONAL READING - COST VADEMECUM Part 1: COST Action)
A CONCISE REPORT MUST BE PROVIDED WITHIN THE NEXT 30 DAYS AFTER STSM END. IF NOT, THE PAYMENT WILL NOT BE RELEASED (the template will be availabe before ending the STSMs).
*CA MC can approve differentiated country rates for subsistence per day, based on the cost of living in each respective country

12. (Please make your registration at https://e-services.cost.eu
and submit the application at:
QUESTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED TO:
EMILIJA FIDANCHEVSKI
STSM Coordinator