EpiLipidNET - Pan-European Network in Lipidomics and EpiLipidomics announced 1st call for Short Term Scientific Mission (STSM) grants
What is STSM?
STSM stands for Short Term Scientific Missions, which is an effective networking tool functioning within COST Actions. STSM are institutional visits aimed at supporting individual mobility, to strengthen the existing networks and foster new collaborations.
Grantees can visit an institution or laboratory in another COST Member state (another COST Member/Cooperating Member or Near-Neighbour Country joining the Action).
Remember: STSMs must be performed between COST countries – you cannot apply for an STSM within your own country.
EpiLipidNet will provide for 4-5 STSM grants under this call.
Who can apply?
You can apply for an STSM if you are a PhD student (engaged in an official research program), or a postdoctoral fellow, or anyone employed by, or affiliated to an institution, organization or legal entity that has within its remit a clear association with performing research.
If you obtained your PhD less than 8 years ago you are classified as an Early Career Investigator (ECI) and your application will be prioritized.
You will get priority also if you apply from one of the Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) participating in the COST Action 19105, which include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Croatia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Republic of Serbia, and Turkey.
If you are an international COST participant, you may host STSM researchers from European COST countries, but you cannot apply for STSMs yourselves.
What can you apply for?
You can apply for an STSM of a duration between 5 and 90 days (including travel), unless you are ECI, in which case you can extend your mobility up to 180 days. The STSM is a fixed grant and covers part of your travel expenses and living allowance. Remember: STSM does not cover the cost of your research materials.
Planning your budget, you can apply for:
- up to a max of EUR 2500 in total;
- up to a max of EUR 160 per day for accommodation and meal expenses;
- up to max of EUR 300 for travel;
- up to a max of EUR 3500 if you are ECI and apply for STSM with a duration of between 91 and 180 days.
Please note that, if your grant is awarded it will be paid only after you complete your STSM. Therefore, you must have approval and prior financial support, e.g., from your home institution.
You can combine your STSM grant with other funding sources, but these must be clearly stated in your application in the budget.
IMPORTANT: If you are from ITC you can request a pre-payment of 50% of your STSM grant after you complete the first day of your STSM. In such case, the representative of the host institution must confirm by e-mail to the grant holder that you officially started the mission on day 1. Only then can the grant holder arrange the payment of 50% of the STSM grant. The remaining 50% of the grant will be paid after you complete your STSM and fulfil all requirements.
When can you apply?
Calls for STSM applications will be opened twice times during each grant year, however during current period funding only one call is planned.
1st call will be opened on 12th of February and closed 22nd of March.
The STSM Committee will announce the results by 9th of April.
Please follow us on our social media channels to be kept up to date.
Webpage: https://www.epilipid.net
https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA19105
Twitter: @EpiLipidNet
How can you apply?
Below you can find a step-by-step instruction for applying for an STSM.
If you need more detailed information please check COST Vademecum or contact Joanna Godzien from the Medical University of Bialystok, your STSM coordinator (joanna.godzien@umb.edu.pl)