Brussels, Tuesday 3 May – COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) and the European Science Foundation (ESF) have been informed by the European Commission Directorate-General for Research & Innovation of their decision to allocate an additional 30 million euro to COST.
The additional funding raises the total budget for COST to 240 million euro for the second half of the EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). An additional 10 million euro may be released to COST depending on developments in the EU budget.
COST implements networking activities for researchers, contributing to the European Research Area (ERA) goals and participating in the delivery of the Europe 2020 agenda.
"This is a clear vote of confidence in COST's governance and our intergovernmental framework's ability to contribute to building a globally competitive ERA. COST's potential to be an important driver in delivering excellence and leading innovation has been recognised and fuelled for future growth," stated Dr Ángeles Rodríguez-Peña, President of the COST Committee of Senior Officials.
"ESF, as implementing agent for COST, recognises this additional budget allocation as an acknowledgement for a successful partnership between ESF and COST," said Marja Makarow, Chief Executive of the European Science Foundation. "It also reflects the valuable contribution COST can make tomorrow, by enhancing capacity building in Europe. ESF will continue to support COST in achieving its goals and increasing the competitiveness of the ERA."
Dr Monica Dietl who started as newly appointed COST Office Director on 1 April 2011 adds "the additional budget will give us a fresh impetus and reinforce the collaboration between ESF and COST for the remainder of the programming period."