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COST: a research platform with greater added value

Interview with Mr. Martin GRABERT, European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), Director

What is the main objective of COST? Could you describe its activity in a few words?

COST is an intergovernmental framework for European Cooperation in Science and Technology, to allow the coordination of nationally-funded research on a European level. COST aims to help reduce the fragmentation in European research investments and open the European Research Area to cooperation worldwide. COST is the oldest European organisation operating in the field of research, it was founded in 1970. Since, its activity has constantly developed into a truly global network: we count today some 35 000 researchers among our partners coming from Latin America to China and Nepal.

How can you describe COST’s added value compared to other programs and cooperation frameworks?


Our main advantage, which undoubtedly makes COST more efficient, is the fact that we foster bottom-up cooperation. COST supports meetings, seminars, conferences which allow researchers to travel for the sake of science, communicate with each other, and exchange their knowledge. We bring people together. This way of working and enabling people to explore their potential is an efficient way of improving research. Moreover, COST is a very inexpensive but efficient organisation to run.


One can guess that you work in a close link with European Commission. What is the format of this interactivity? Is that a partnership? Are there any complementarities between you and, say, activities launched under FP7?


Of course, COST and official EU programs in the field of research are tightly linked. It is a multi-level partnership. We are financed by the FP7 to begin with. But, at the same time, COST enjoys a total independence in terms of the choice of its priorities, themes and activities, which means that we do not necessarily follow the European Commission’s scientific agenda. Initiatives come from researchers in our case. Therefore you could see COST as a pathfinder for setting the priorities in the heavy FP7. Let me also mention here that we are a gateway to the ERA for the rest of the world facilitating the interaction of researchers.


What are the scientific domains COST works with? Are there any particular areas on which you put an emphasis?


There are absolutely no restrictions concerning the nature and the fields of research that we cover. You can find COST Actions in every area of knowledge: humanities, exact sciences, natural sciences….We work with zoologists, physicians, chemists, poets….COST tries to support and to give impetus for cutting-edge fields. We are therefore one step before public research, but we try to bring the positive inputs of this research into practical life. For example, today we observe a strong interest in personalised medicine, which offers “tailor-made” treatments for a given individual, designed on the basis of a DNA footprint. Another example is research on the mitigation of climate changes’ effects on agriculture.
A piece of advice for our clients?


Use COST to explore your best ideas! This is particularly true for young researchers who have just entered or are about to enter the world of science. But I am calling on experienced researchers as well: we are open for everybody, both in geographical and professional respects. So, do not hesitate to contact us: we offer enormous opportunities!