The COST Action CA20133 “Cross-border transfer and development of sustainable resource recovery strategies towards zero waste” (“Fullrec4us) encourages and supports the Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs). STSMs are Exchange Visits aiming at strengthening the existing networks by allowing individual researchers to go to an institution or laboratory in other COST country to foster collaboration and contribute to the scientific objectives of the COST Action CA20133.
Until September 27, 2022, there are up to 4 STSMs to be awarded and conducted. Applicants are invited to apply for one of proposed topics related to specific Working Group objectives or propose their individual research theme up to March 15, 2022. Please note that all STSMs must be in line with the general COST Action CA20133 goals and objectives.
Please remember that the STSM must take place abroad (in other COST country) and the applicant should get in touch with a proposed hosting institution individually.
Proposed Topics/Ideas
- Wg 1: “Bioenergy recovery from wastes". The STSM could deal with the question: Which waste feedstocks are relevant for bioenergy production (e.g., bioethanol, biohydrogen, biodiesel) in a given European region?
- Wg 2: "Biochemical recovery from wastes" The STSM could deal with the question: Which waste feedstocks are relevant for recovery of added value chemicals (e.g., biopolymers, enzymes, biosurfactants) in a given European region?
- Wg 3: "Biological extraction of food and feed from residues and wastes". Which are the best methods and techniques for determination of biologically active compounds contained in food waste and feed (e.g., polyphenols, sugars, fatty acids, dietary fibre)?
- Wg 4: "Water and nutrients recovery from wastewater". The STSM could deal with the question: Which types of wastewater/sludge are relevant for metal and nutrient recovery in a given European region?
Apart from above mentioned topics, applicants may propose their own research theme as long as it is also of interest for COST CA20133.
STSMs offer a possibility to get involved in this international, multidisciplinary project, to learn new methods and techniques, gain new knowledge and experience in working abroad.
What is a STSM?
Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) are exchange visits aiming at strengthening the existing networks by allowing individual scientists to go to an institution or laboratory in other COST country to foster collaboration, to learn new techniques or gain access to specific instruments and/or methods or techniques not available in their own institutions. They shall have a minimum duration of 5 calendar days that includes travel.
A STSM should specifically contribute to the scientific objectives of the COST Action CA20133. To learn about aims of COST Action CA20133, please look at Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) available on the Cost website.
More information about the COST rules on the Short-Term Scientific Missions is available at the COST Annotated Rules COST Annotated Rules for COST Actions.
Rules:
- The STSM applicant must be a PhD candidate or be engaged in a research programme as a postdoctoral fellow or be employed by an institution of a COST Country that has signed the MoU of the Action. Applications from Young Researchers (under 40 years) are privileged. The host institution should be actively participating in the COST Action CA20133. For the period of the STSM neither the MC, nor the COST Office nor the Grant Holder may be considered as an employer. The grantees must make their own arrangements for all health, social, personal security, and pension matters.
- The selection of STSM applicants is based on the scientific scope of the STSM application that must be in line with the COST Action CA20133 objectives. The selection of successful candidates is made by the STSM Coordinator following the recommendations of the WG Leaders, MC Chair and Action Core Group. The STSM Coordinator informs the Grant Holder (GH) about successful candidate and then the GH sends a grant letter generated from e-COST system to the approved applicant. The grant letter must be signed by the applicant and returned to the GH.
- A STSM grant is a fixed contribution based on the requested budget which is evaluated by the STSM Coordinator. The grant is for travel and subsistence costs only. It does not necessarily cover all such expenses.
- Successful applicants will receive an allowance up to €160/day and up to €600 for travel - up to a maximum total budget of €2,300. The budget will be divided among the successful applicants in accordance with COST rules.
- After the STSM, the STSM participant must submit a scientific report to the Host and to the STSM Coordinator within 30 days after the end of his/her stays.
- The STSM grant will be paid after the exchange visit (acceptance of the scientific report and a letter from the Host are required). The STSM candidates must therefore pre-finance costs related to the STSM (travel, stay, meals). STSM applicants with an affiliation in an institution in an Inclusiveness Target Country (ITC) country can request a pre-payment of 50% of grant. This is payable under two conditions: 1) the GH has funds to cover 50% of the grant in advance, and 2) the host confirms to the GH that the mission has started. Please not that transfer of the 50% of the Grant can only take place after the mission has started; therefore, requesting a pre-payment is more effective for STSMs longer than 1 month.
Application
If you are interested in applying, complete the online application available at your eCOST account, after selecting COST Action CA20133 (Grant Applications, left menu) up to 15 March 2022. More information on the procedures is available in the STSM user guide.
The following supporting documents must be included in the application:
- Cover letter, explaining how your work will benefit from this STSM and how the STSM will contribute to the achievement of the COST CA20133 objectives
- Work plan specifying what you intend to do (800 words), the start and end dates, and budget (accommodation/travel)
- A written agreement of the host institution
- A letter of support from the home institution
- CV (2 pages), including a list of publications.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed by the Cost Action CA20133 WG leaders, the Core Group and the STSM Coordinator according to the following criteria:
- Scientific quality and relevance of the work plan. Namely, how well it addresses the proposed topics and the COST Action CA20133 objectives
- Anticipated outcomes in respect of COST Action CA20133 objectives
- Contribution to personal development of the candidate
- Other criteria include early career, gender balance and geographical inclusiveness.
After the STSM
The grantee is obliged to submit a short scientific report to the host institution (for information) and to the STSM Coordinator or MC Core Group (for approval) within 30 days after the end date of the STSM. The report must contain the following information:
- Purpose of the STSM
- Description of the work carried out during the STSM
- Description of the main results obtained
- Future collaboration with the host institution (if applicable)
- Foreseen publications / articles resulting from the STSM (if applicable)
- Confirmation by the host institution of the successful execution of the STSM
- Other comments (if any).
Please note that failure to submit the scientific report on time will effectively cancel the grant.
The STSM Coordinator will inform the GH about the acceptance of the report. Afterwards, the GH will execute the payment of the fixed grant directly to the grantee or to home institution as stated in the application form.