1. Introducing Trans-Domain Proposals pilot procedure Christer Halen Senior Administrator of Science Operations Mafalda Quintas and Giuseppe Lugano Science Officers IGLO - Brussels, 13 March 2013

2. 2 Submission to a COST Domain - timeline (ex: n° proposals in collection 2012-1) MONTH 1 MONTH 2 MONTH 3 MONTH 4 MONTH 5 MONTH 6 MONTH 7 MONTH 8 Collection of Preliminary Proposals (612) Eligibility check & Domain allocation (593) Domain Committee assessment (116) deadline Full Proposal (115) External experts assessment (77) Domain Committee Hearings (final list) Approval CSOJAF Preparation of Full Proposal Preparation of MoU

3. 3 Overview  COST Open Call for Proposals  Trans-Domain Proposals (TDP)  Introducing TDP Pilot  Motivations and Key Features  Process and Calendar  Proposal Registration, Submission and Evaluation

4. 4 COST Open Call  Bottom-up implementation of new COST Actions  No pre-set topics and priorities  Trans-nationality, transparency, fairness, equality of treatment  Submission of proposals on a continuous basis  Two collection dates / year (March and September)  Announced in the Official Journal of the European Union  Science and Technology-Driven Evaluation Process  Peer-review: at least three evaluators per proposal  Domain Committees in charge of evaluation and quality control, supported by Science Officers  ~ 7% success rate

5. Growing Popularity of COST 5 Trans-Disciplinary Proposals account for ~ 17% (oc-2012-2) of whole proposals submitted to the COST Open Call Christer Please Add/Change

6. Trans-Domain Proposals (TDP)  2005 - “Interdisciplinary Exploratoria”: TDP predecessor to implement new means for fostering interdisciplinary approaches within COST  2008 – TDP evaluation procedure first introduced  2013 – TDP Pilot launched 6

7. Motivations for a Pilot TDP Evaluation Procedure  Need to better respond to the needs of growing trans- disciplinary research communities  Lighter and faster evaluation procedure so as to give quick answer to proposers  Opportunity to allow COST to adapt and contribute to ERA goals  Preparing integrated procedures for proposal evaluation, Action monitoring and impact assessment 7

8. 8 TDP Pilot Key Features 1.Revised evaluation criteria and proposal template, enabling clearer description, evaluation and implementation of Action objectives, added value of networking, and COST activities through which such objectives will be pursued 2.Shortened evaluation process (time gain: ~1,5 months) replacing the current two-proposal scheme with a one-proposal scheme (10-15 pages) 3.Efficient expert selection and allocation through newly developed Expertise Grid and Expert Database 4.Clearer description of the process through detailed Guidelines for Proposers and Evaluators

9. 9 TDP Pilot Proposal Template  More concise proposal without loss of meaningful information, easier for both proposers and evaluators TDP Pilot Proposal Template A. Scientific and Technological Challenge B. Added Value of Networking C. Milestones and Deliverables – Contents and Timeframes D. Action Structure and Participation (Optional) References Total length: ~ 10 – 15 pages

10. 10 New Challenges: Expert Identification Proposal Registration (Deadline 29.3) Mandatory step not part of the evaluation itself, used for a timely selection of experts  The Proposal is registered via e-COST to improve interaction and user-friendliness  What is registered:  Proposal Title, Acronym  Initial idea: short abstract (up to 250 words)  Areas of Expertise Needed for Evaluation: from a pre- defined multi-layered list of expertise areas

11. 11  COST Experts Database – Newly Developed  Used for a timely identification of relevant experts  Algorithm matching areas of expertise required by the proposal and experts with relevant expertise  Used in all steps of the evaluation procedure  As of 15/02/2013:  ~ 6000 registered experts (89% from COST Countries)  All COST Countries represented  Gender balance: 63% male, 37% female experts  Early Stage Researchers (PhD+ 8 years): 25%  Additional effort needed in covering all Research Areas New Challenges: Expert Identification

12. 12 Proposal Evaluation  1 st step “Challenge Selection”:  External experts evaluate remotely the scientific and technological soundness and timeliness for which networking provides a clear added benefit to address the challenge  2 nd step “Implementation Plan”:  DC Members and DC Experts evaluate remotely the coherence and feasibility of the implementation plan supporting COST mission and criteria  TDP Panel prepares consensus reports at a dedicated meeting  TDP Panel Hearings:  TDP Panel and DC Chairs evaluate leadership potential, motivation and drive, organisational and communication skills of the invited proposers

13. 13 Proposal Evaluation Criteria TypeIDTitle Section AA.1Features of the Challenge Criterion 1A.1.1State of the Art Criterion 2A.1.2Relevance and Timeliness Criterion 3A.1.3Challenge Feasibility Section AA.2Type of Impact Criterion 4A.2.1Risk Level Criterion 5A.2.2Scientific versus Societal Impact Criterion 6A.2.3Timeframe Section BBAdded Value of Networking Criterion 7B.1In Relation to the Challenge Criterion 8B.2In Relation to Existing Efforts Section CCSuitability for COST Criterion 9C.1Anonymity Criterion 10C.2Scope for COST Actions Criterion 11C.3Action Structure Suitability Criterion 12C.4Feasibility of Activities Section DDForeseen Participation Criterion 13D.1Network of Proposers Criterion 14D.2Plans to Involve Relevant Participants COST enables break-through scientific developments leading to new concepts and products and thereby contributes to strengthen Europe’s 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.

14. 14 TDP Pilot - timeline Submissions to Trans-Domain Proposals MONTH 1 MONTH 2 MONTH 3 MONTH 4 MONTH 5 MONTH 6 MONTH 7 MONTH 8 March 29th closing of registrations June 14th Collection Step 1 - Challenge selection: External experts evaluation Step 2 - Implementation Plan: TDP Panel Approval CSOJAF Preparation of Proposal Preparation of MoU TDP Panel Hearings (final list)

15. 15 New e-COST Tools: Proposal Registration (Deadline 29.3)

16. 16 New e-COST Tools: Proposal Submission (Collection Date: 14.6)

17. Proposer 1 University of Berne Dr. Proposer 1 (University of Berne) 17  Invitation tool allows proposers to interact and COST to monitor the growth of the network of proposers New e-COST Tools: Network of Proposers  At least 5 Proposers (1 Main Proposer, 4 Secondary Proposers) affiliated with legal entities based in at least 5 different COST Member Countries or Cooperating State

18. 18 New e-COST Tools: Evaluation

19. 19 Practicalities Proposal Registration Proposal Submission COST Experts database  Deadline: March 29th at 5pm  Mandatory – registration after this date: proposal will only be evaluated next Collection Date (OC2013-2)  Deadline: June 14th at 5pm  Always Open: Disseminate the opportunity to researchers in your country

20. 20 For Further Information  TDP page http://www.cost.eu/domains_actions/TDP  Open Call Guidelines for TDP Pilot http://www.cost.eu/download/TDPguidelines  e-COST (creation of user profile, proposal registration and submission) https://e-services.cost.eu  COST Experts page http://www.cost.eu/participate/experts

21. 21 For Further Information  TDP Science Officers We are available to support researchers in your country with any question regarding the TDP Pilot: Dr Giuseppe Lugano Tel. +32 (0) 2 533 3822 giuseppe.lugano@cost.eu Dr Mafalda Quintas Tel. +32 (0) 2 533 3834 mafalda.quintas@cost.eu

22. www.cost.eu Dr. Mafalda Quintas Science Officer COST Office Avenue Louise 149 1050 Brussels, Belgium T: +32 (0)2 533 3822 F: +32 (0)2 533 3890 giuseppe.lugano@cost.eu Thank you!