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Domains and Actions
Domains and Actions
COST is a flexible, fast, effective and efficient tool to network and coordinate nationally funded research activities, bringing good scientists together under light strategic guidance and letting them work out their ideas.
COST is based on networks, called COST Actions, centered around research projects in fields that are of interest to at least five COST countries.
COST Actions cover basic and pre-competitive research for peaceful purposes as well as activities of public utility, as part of the Lisbon objectives.
Every COST Action has an objective, defined goals and clear deliverables. These are described in a Memorandum of Understanding, signed by participating COST Countries.
There are currently more than 200 Actions running in the 9 scientific Domains.
In addition, Trans-Domain Proposals (TDP) offer scientists fertile ground for future networks across many scientific disciplines, by allowing unusually broad, interdisciplinary proposals to strike across the scientific Domains.
A Standing Assessment Body (SAB) reviews submitted TDPs and, once approved, assigns the Trans-Domain COST Action to one of the nine scientific Domains below.
The SAB is composed of the Chairs of the nine COST Domain Committees, as well as two additional scientific experts per Domain, and is led by a neutral coordinator, Georges Wanet, who is directly appointed by the CSO President. The COST Office's own Science Officers may also serve as experts with the SAB.
An overview of the nine scientific Domains:
The Domain Chemistry and Molecular Sciences and Technologies (CMST) has the mission of fostering European expertise in discovering, understanding, producing and manipulating molecular species. These research activities aim to develop experimental, theoretical and analytical tools to enhance the development of chemical transformations, reactivity and function. The CMST aims to apply such knowledge and innovation to industrial processes and production.
The domain Earth System Science and Environmental Management (ESSEM) encompasses the rapidly-growing science and technology agendas relating to better understanding, observing, modelling and predicting the Earth system and thereby improved management of environmental conditions.
The Domain Food and Agriculture (FA) covers all aspects of research in the field of agricultural and food sciences in its widest sense. The primary aim of the Domain is to encourage networking of research in any field linked to these activities as well as the related demands and needs.
The Domain Forests, their Products and Services (FPS) has the mission to promote research along the whole forest-wood-chain by providing a platform for the effective coordination of nationally funded research activities in the areas of forestry, wood technology and pulp & paper.
The Domain Individuals, Societies, Cultures and Health (ISCH) supports the development of knowledge and insights for citizens, democratic debate and decision-making in the public, private and voluntary spheres.
The Domain Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) covers scientific and technical research in all areas of information and communication science and technologies.
The Domain Materials, Physics and Nanosciences (MPNS) is home to materials science and physics, extending from conception through production, characterization, examination, evaluation, fabrication, joining to actual application and service, including related databases, simulation tools, standards and inspections.
The Domain Transport and Urban Development (TUD) aims at fostering international research networking activities of scientists and experts dealing with transport systems and infrastructures, urban land use and development, architecture and design, and civil engineering issues.
The domain Biomedicine and Molecular Biosciences (BMBS) covers all areas of medicine as practiced in Europe and basic, preclinical and clinical medical research developed to materialise the “bench to bedside” concept.
