2nd STSM Call 2026

Applications of high quality and clearly aligned with the objectives of the Action that cannot be selected due to limited financial resources at the end of the grant period may be resubmitted next year in unchanged form and will be supported. Kindly indicate in your Motivation Letter whether such postponement would be acceptable, or whether you require the mission to be carried out before the end of October.

Please note that, due to the limited budget available for this specific call, the maximum amount per grant application has been reduced to €3,000.

What is an STSM in a COST Action?

Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) are mobility grants designed to support researchers and innovators in visiting a host institution in another country to foster collaboration, learn new techniques, gain hands-on experience in new methods, and access facilities or expertise not available at the home institution

Full guidelines can be found in the Annotated Rules for COST Actions.

This 1st Call is primarily designed to support interdisciplinary exchange. It aims to bring together students/researchers and mentors from different fields, including evolutionary biology, immunology, bioinformatics, and animal and veterinary sciences.

It is essential that each STSM clearly aligns with the objectives of the EVIM‑NET Action and contributes to specific tasks within the Working Groups (WG), as described in the Memorandum of Understanding available on the COST website and here. Applicants must explain this alignment in their Application form and more thoroughly in the Motivation letter.

EVIM‑NET gives priority to Early Stage Career Researchers and Innovators (PhD candidates and Postdoctoral researchers); however, there are no age or career‑stage restrictions for STSM applicants.

Essential information for applicants

1. Eligibility Requirements

• Affiliation: Applicants must be affiliated with a legal entity (e.g., university, research centre, company).
• Career Stage: STSMs are open to researchers at all career stages. However, EVIM‑NET gives priority to Early Stage Career Researchers and Innovators (PhD candidates and Postdocs).
• International Mobility: The mission must take place in a different country than the applicant’s country of primary affiliation.

2. Host Institution

• Location: The host institution may be any legal entity worldwide (except Russia and Belarus).
• Sector: Hosts may come from any relevant sector, including academia or industry.
• Interdisciplinary Focus: The main aim of this 1st Call is to connect students and researchers with mentors from fields different from their own.

3. Financial Support

• Each mission can receive up to €3,000. The exact amount will be determined by the Grant Evaluation Committee, chaired by the Grant Awarding Coordinator Stela Papa, in collaboration with the Core Group of the Action. The decision will be based on the duration of the mission (up to €1,000 per week), its location, and its overall complexity.
• Nature of Funding: The grant is a lump‑sum contribution intended to cover travel, accommodation, subsistence, and overall effort. It does not cover employment costs

How to apply for an STSM

All applications are accepted exclusively through the e‑COST system. Detailed instructions on how to apply can be found here.

1. Preparation and Profile Setup

• e-COST Profile: Applicants must have a registered profile in the e-COST system, which includes an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Affiliation: Applicants must be affiliated with a legal entity (such as a university, research center, or company).
• Finding a Host: Applicants must identify a host institution in a different country. Hosts may be located anywhere except Russia and Belarus.

2. Developing the Proposal

• Work Plan: Applicants must prepare a scientific project description defining the mission’s goals and explaining how it contributes to the scientific objectives of EVIM‑NET as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding
• Agreement with the Host: Applicants must obtain a written confirmation (invitation letter; template available here) stating that the host agrees to receive them and support the proposed work plan.

3. Online Application Submission

• Application Form: Applications must be submitted exclusively through the e‑COST portal before the submission deadline (2 September 2026). Detailed instructions on how to apply can be found here. The template of the Application Form is available here.
• Financial Request: Applicants must provide an estimated budget. The grant may cover up to €3,000 depending on location, complexity, and duration (up to €1,000 per week).
• Supporting Documents: Along with the online form, applicants must upload the Application form (template available in e-COST or here), the Host Confirmation Letter (template available in e-COST or here) and the Motivation letter explaining in more detail the scientific rationale and alignment with the Action’s objective.

4. Approval and Implementation

• Grant Letter: Selected applicants will receive an official Grant Letter specifying the approved amount and grant conditions.
• Mission Execution: The mission must be carried out in accordance with the approved schedule and work plan, and any changes must be communicated and approved in advance. Missions supported under this 1st Call must be completed no later than 31 October 2026.
  
  

5. Post-Mission Reporting

• Scientific Report: To trigger payment, grantees must submit a scientific report via e‑COST.
• Deadline: The report (template available here), summarising the work carried out, main achievements, and planned follow‑up activities, must be submitted within 30 calendar days after the mission ends, but no later than 14 November.
• Payment: The grant is paid as a lump sum once the report is reviewed and approved by the Action’s leadership.
• Acknowledgement: If a publication results, it is necessary to acknowledge the Programme as follows:
  “[Your name], via a Short-Term Scientific Mission from COST Action EVIM‑NET, CA24133, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)”.
  Please also inform us about any resulting publications at  contact [at] evim-net.com  

Contact

For questions regarding grant applications, please contact:
Stela Papa, EVIM‑NET Grant Awarding Coordinator
stela.papa [at] fshn.edu.al 

More information about COST Action EVIM‑NET, CA24133 is available at:
https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA24133/