Virtual Networking Tools

Recently, most activities have been carried out online due to the Covid pandemic. This is new for most of the project’s participants and requires good planning with firm outlines. COST has introduced the concept of Virtual Networking Tools to minimize the impact of this situation. In addition to strengthening the internal virtual communication of this action, a focus on supporting researchers in COST Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) as well as promoting the participation of researchers from Near Neighbour countries (NNC) and International Partner Countries (IPC) will ensure a firm overall network with a wide outreach. The COST Excellence and inclusiveness Policy is followed through the development of these objectives:

VIRTUAL MOBILITY GRANTS

WHAT IS A VIRTUAL MOBILITY GRANT

Virtual Mobility Grants help to build a capacity and improve virtual collaborations through implementation of the Action’s overall objectives, which are described in the Action’s Memorandum of Understanding.

Examples of possible virtual activities that can be supported are listed below, however this is not an exhaustive list and creative suggestions are very welcome:

• organizing online workshops like ‘webinar series’
• coordinating discussions to create common protocols to be used by the network afterwards
• preparing questionnaires and surveys to be used by the Action members as part of virtual networking activities
• supporting the implementation of research-related activities that do not necessarily require in-person presence
• data analysis of the Action for a specific report or activity

6 grants of EUR 1,500 were awarded in the first Grant Period. The number of grants for each Grant Period (GP) depends on the accepted Action’s budget of each GP.

WHO CAN APPLY

Applicant(s) are Action participants with a primary affiliation to an institution located in a COST Full or Cooperating Member country or MC Observers from a COST Near Neighbour Country.

WHEN and HOW to APPLY

Applicant(s) can apply when the call for Virtual Mobility Grant is open. This happens usually once in every Grant Period. The application must be submitted in e-COST portal.

A Virtual Mobility Grant Application includes:

• The 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 contribution to the Action’s progress
• Contribution to the COST Action Strategy: How will Virtual Mobility contribute to the COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy and plans for stakeholder engagement and promoting the participation of researchers from NNC and IPC (COST Global Networking) and to the approved virtual networking strategy, if available.

APPLICATION TEMPLATE

Prospective Virtual Mobility Grant applicants can find an application template here.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The selection of successful grantee shall be based on contributions to

• the overall objectives of the Action
• clearly expressed and realistic benefits to the Action and its deliverables
• the implementation of the COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT

A report about the Virtual Mobility must be sent to the Action Chair/ the Virtual Networking Support Manager and the Science Officer of the Action including:

• Description of the outcomes and achieved outputs (including any specific deliverables, or publications resulting from the Virtual Mobility).
• Description of the benefits to the COST Action Strategy (what and how).
• Description of the virtual collaboration (including constructive reflection on activities undertaken, identified successful practices and lessons learned).

REPORT TEMPLATE

Virtual Networking Grantees can find a template for their final report here.

VIRTUAL COMMUNICATION CHANNELS SET UP DURING THIS ACTION

This website;

EuroWeb Slack Channel;

Facebook Page;

Twitter;

YouTube Channel;

Instagram.

LIST OF VIRTUAL EVENTS AND COLLABORATION ACTIVITIES