Helios

Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSM)

OPEN Call for STSMs Grant Period 1: 01/11/2023 – 31/10/2024

Application Period: 01/11/2023 -31/08/2024

Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) play a pivotal role in facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration within the context of the Haemoglobinopathies in European Liaison of Medicine and Science (HELIOS) COST Action. These exchange visits are meticulously designed to promote the exchange of knowledge and expertise among participants.

  • During STSMs, individuals have the opportunity to acquire new techniques, and access data, instruments, or methods that may not be readily available in their home institutions.
  •  The primary aim is to cultivate meaningful collaborations that contribute directly to the scientific objectives of HELIOS, fostering joint publications and advancements in the field of haemoglobinopathies research. STSMs thus serve as dynamic platforms for enhancing the collective knowledge and capabilities of participants, ultimately bolstering the impact and outcomes of the HELIOS COST Action.
  • Young Researchers and Innovators (YRIs) from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Eligibility rules:

  • COST Full or Cooperating Member Countries, Cost Near Neighbour Countries, and European RTD Organization are eligible for funding, for details visit 
  • The STSM applicant should be actively involved in an official research program, either as a researcher or innovator. Alternatively, they can be associated with an institution, organization, or legal entity engaged in research activities.
  • The STSM applicant must make a specific contribution to the research coordination and capacity-building objectives outlined by the HELIOS COST Action, aligning their proposed mission with the overarching goals of the initiative.
  • The selected visit location must be in a country different from the candidate’s country of residence and primary affiliation.
  • The visit duration is a minimum of 5 calendar days, inclusive of travel.
  • The STSM visit must align with the Grant activities period and alladministrative tasks must be completed within the provided grant activities period.
  • The number of STSM grants that will be funded in the 2023-2024 period will depend on funding availability.

Expenses covered:

  • Travel expenses from home to visiting location and back (bus, coach, 2nd class train, and economy plane tickets).
  • Visa fees for the visiting country, including expenses to obtain the visa. The COST Association and the Action Grant Holder institution cannot be held responsible in cases where individuals do not secure the necessary travel documents/visas needed to facilitate their participation in approved COST activities.
  • The maximum amount for an STSM Grant is 4000 EUR.

 

The final approved amount is determined by the HELIOS Core Group, on behalf of the management committee, considering factors such as the duration, location, and applicable fees for each individual application.

 

  • Costs related to personal security, health, taxation, social security, and pension matters are not covered.

STSM applicants can request a pre-payment of 50% of the approved grant amount. This is payable under 2 conditions: 1. The Grant Holder has sufficient funds to cover 50% of the grant in advance; 2. The host confirms to the Grant Holder that the mission has started.

Application Procedure:

  1. Download and complete the STSM grants application from the e-cost system  on page  consulting the Grant Awarding UserGuide as needed.
  2. Submit the STSM application on the e-COST system. Additionally, is required to upload a confirmation from the host institution, expressing their agreement to receive the applicant, as a supporting document along with the application (revisions of submitted applications are allowed before approval of the application).
  3. The HELIOS Action Core Group with the Grant Coordinator will assess your application. If your application is complete and formally meets all COST requirements the application will be approved and the applicant will receive an official grant letter. In the event of rejection, you will be notified with an explanation of the reasons for the decision.
Mandatory Acknowledgements:
  • STSM grantees must properly acknowledge their COST financial support in a scientific report and any additional research documentation, which is a direct result of the STSM visit.
After the STSM
  • Within 30 calendar days after the last day of the STSM visit, STSM grantees must upload a scientific report (2 pages) aligned with the template provided in the e-cost system.
  • This scientific report must be aligned with the template provided in the e-cost system.
  • This e-cost report must be submitted through the e-COST system within 30 days from the last of the STSM visit.
  • Failure to produce the above documentation or failure to submit it in time may result in the cancellation of the candidate’s STSM grant.

The payment of the STSM Grant is subject to the approval of the STSM Grant scientific report by the HELIOS Core Group, on behalf of the Action’s MC, and the final decision is uploaded in e-COST by the Grant Awarding Coordinator. Based on this, the Grant Holder will execute the payment of the grant directly to the grantee as requested in the application.

For further questions and inquiries, please contact the Grant Awarding Coordinator, Dr. Burak Durmaz ([email protected]).

Additional information is provided in the Annotated Rules and User Guide:

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