Virtual Mobility Grants in GP5

NEP4DISSENT (COST Action 16213) announces the call for Virtual Mobility Grants in Grant Period 5.

Conditions set in this call follow the COST Association guidelines described in ANNEX 2 of the Annotated Rules for Cost Actions (ARCA).  In case of discrepancies, the ARCA shall be decisive.

OBJECTIVE OF VM GRANTS

Virtual Mobility consists of a collaboration in a virtual setting among researchers or innovators within the COST Action, to exchange knowledge, learn new techniques etc.

The examples of  activities expected to be performed by the successful applicant include but are not limited to:

1. To support the harmonization and standardisation of methods and procedures within the Action  Networking activities, e.g.:
   • setting up a survey amongst all Action members to collect different results and outcomes from
     experiments done in their respective labs and research groups.
   • coordinating the discussions to create common protocols to be used by the network
     afterwards.
   • preparing questionnaires and response scales to be used by the Action members as part of virtual networking activities.
2. To support the implementation of research coordination related activities that do not necessarily require in-person presence, e.g.:
   • computational or modelling activities.
   • data analysis of the Action for a specific report or activity.
3. Virtual mentoring scheme, with special focus on activities and exchanges that can generate capacity building and new skills, particularly for ECIs researchers (e.g. managerial skills, methodological skills, communication skills, etc).
   
4. Content preparation and coordination of science communication activities, e.g.:
   • Massive Online Open Courses (MOOC).
   • Online workshops like ‘webinar series’ or ‘tv series’-like format.
   • Online COST Action workshops in external international conferences or events, when the applicant can demonstrate a role in the organising committee, that could help in the promotion of the Action activities.

In the previous round, NEP4DISSENT proudly supported a historical data workshop, a virtual exhibit, a seminar and a blog series.

ELIGIBILITY

Individual researchers and innovators from COST Member Countries and Near Neighbor Countries (NNC) which signed the Memorandum of Understanding of this Action. For details see section 6.4 of the ARCA.

DEADLINES HOW TO APPLY?

The deadline for submitting applications is Thursday, 3 February 2022. 

Activities supported by the VM grant must be completed until 1 April 2022, in order to allow orderly reporting. Special cases will be considered.

To file the VM Grant application please go to: https://e-services.cost.eu/activity/grants. Click on “Apply for grant” and select “Virtual Mobility grant.”

The application should include the following information:

• Start and End Date
• Budget (max 1500 EUR)
• Main objective of the Virtual Mobility Grant.
• Working Plan: Description of the collaborative initiative to be implemented.
• Plan for Participation: List of participants in the collaborative initiative (short description of their expertise and contribution).
• Main expected outputs: results and how they contribute to specific Working Group goals and the Action MoU objectives (either research coordination and/or capacity building objectives can be tackled)*

*The NEP4DISSENT Virtual Networking Strategy can be downloaded here. You will find the listing of MoU Research Coordination and Capacity building objectives at the end of that document. About specific WG goals please consult the WG Chairs.

Please consult this guide for the details of the application process.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION OF APPLICANTS

The evaluation of the applications will be performed by the Action Core Group, acting as awards committee on behalf of the Action Management Committee.

The selection of successful grantees shall be based on contributions to the overall objectives of the Action, the approved strategy on the virtual networking for the Action and the implementation of the COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy.

REPORTING

The grantee submits the required reports in 30 calendar days from the completion of the Virtual Mobility Grant, or in 15 days after the end of Grant Period (15 April 2022), whichever date comes first.

For the report the grantee uses the relevant template provided in e-COST.  The report describes:

• work developed
• main outcomes and outputs
• future follow up collaboration (if any)

FINANCIAL SUPPORT, IMPLEMENTATION,  REPORTING AND PAYMENT

Each Virtual Mobility Grant cannot exceed EUR 1 500.

The MC shall define the exact amount of each grant reflecting the scope and complexity of the task and activities. The grant does not necessarily cover all expenses related to undertaking the virtual mobility activity.

The Grant Holder shall pay the grant to the grantee after the MC has approved the grantee’s report.

The COST Association and the Grant Holder of the Action cannot be considered as being the grantee’s employer who shall make their own arrangements for all provisions related to personal security, health, taxation, social security, and pension matters. The grantee must also ensure they have the required technical material/equipment and infrastructure to carry out the activities proposed in their application to the grant.