Under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), EU support for COST amounted to 80 million, a figure which is set to rise to 210 million under FP7. An additional 40 million could be added to the pot if a mid-term evaluation in 2010 is successful.
"The contract and the increase in funding is indeed a strong vote of confidence towards the ESF-COST cooperation," said Dr Martin Grabert, Director of the COST Office. "With this contract, we can truly capitalise on previous successes. We will not rest on our laurels, however, and continue to focus on cross-disciplinary initiatives and strengthening the synergy between the various research actors in Europe."
The bigger budget will allow COST to expand its activities and boost support for both the scientific and technical committees and the COST Actions (networks of researchers).
The contract sets out a series of work packages which reflect the increase in funding through new and expanded activities, the development of new ideas for interdisciplinary science initiatives and a greater exploitation of the European 'Near Neighbours' policy. There is also a stronger focus on outreach and communications.
"The negotiation of this contract and the transition between FP6 and FP7 were two challenging processes," commented David Weber, the ESF's Director of Administration and Finance, noting that the ESF's commitment to COST, coupled with its experience of managing such a complex operation, had been key to the successful completion of the agreement.
"I very much welcome the positive conclusion of the negotiations for the signature of the EC-ESF contract for COST," added Professor Francesco Fedi, President of the COST Committee of Senior Officials. "COST has always been a unique instrument with a strong role to play towards the development of the ERA. Typical COST features such as its flexibility and bottom-up approach make it a perfect platform for innovative ideas on the frontiers of science."
A recent independent review of the Commission-ESF COST contract for FP6 noted the high levels of satisfaction among users of COST and concluded that the switchover from the COST Action managed by the European to the COST Office run by the ESF had been largely successful.
Established in 1971, COST is now used by researchers in 35 European countries to cooperate in common research projects supported by national funds.
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