Here you will find the call for the short-term scientific mission (STSM) grant.
(Closing date 14 February 2026)
What is STSM?
A Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) consists of a visit to a host organization located in a country different from the country of affiliation by a researcher or innovator for a specific work to be carried out and for a determined period. The aim is to strengthen the existing networks and foster collaborations with other institutions.
The STSM in EuroHealthHist Cost Action CA22159 intends to contribute to the scientific objectives and deliverables of the COST action while providing mission participants with the opportunity to establish long-term collaborations with an international team and gain new knowledge or access to sources or techniques not available in the home institution/organisation.
Who can apply?
These opportunities are open to all members of EuroHealthHist Cost Action CA22159 (students, professors, and/or researchers).
Eligibility for the STSMs and a reimbursement scheme are described in the Annotated Rules for COST Actions (section 6.4).
The STSM applicant can be any person affiliated with a legal entity located in a COST Full or Cooperating Member or a Near Neighbour Country or a European RTD Organisation. The applicant must have an e-COST profile.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for one of the proposed topics that are related to the specific objectives of the five Working Groups (WG) as set out in the MOU (p.10-11).
WG 1 Provision
Explores the provision of healthcare and healthcare infrastructure across Europe in the modern period.
WG 2 Providers
Looks at who provided formal healthcare – doctors of different types, nurses, paramedics and issues around legitimacy, professionalisation and religion.
WG 3 Patients
This group will consider the experience of the patient from below, barriers to access and relationships with family, community and health care professionals.
WG 4 Finance, Management and Control
Will examine the interaction of finance, management and control in the provision of institutional and domiciliary healthcare, with a particular focus on how they affected access to treatment.
WG 5 Public Engagement
This more practical WG will work with the GLAM sector and with the community to explore the experience of healthcare and the diverse ways that has been and can be represented.
How to apply?
Only one award is allowed per member per year. The call for the period January-July 2026 will close on 14 February 2026 and selection of candidates will follow. According to the MC decision, the maximum amount for an STSM grant in this period is €1700 for a visit of up to one month or €2500 for between 1-3 months. We will award up to 6 STSM grants in this period. There will be a second call in March 2026 for further applications.
We are also keeping continuously open the expressions of interest to host Short Term Scientific Missions (STSM). Please email Barry Doyle for details (barry.doyle@manchester.ac.uk).
Applications are submitted online in the e-COST platform using dedicated forms available after registration at: https://e-services.cost.eu/activity/grants
- All applicants must carefully read the funding rules detailed in the Annex 2 of the Annotated Rules for COST Actions (section 6.4)
- For guidance on the e-COST tool, applicants can consult the Grants User Guide (see Documents & Guidelines).
- All applicants must have an e-COST profile with bank account information and an updated CV.
- STSM applications must be made through the above link by logging into e-COST and clicking on the Grant Applications tab.
- All applicants must obtain a letter of invitation from the host institution confirming that they can undertake the STSM on the given dates prior to submitting an application.
- All applicants must complete and submit their STSM application on the e-COST-system using dedicated forms available.
To be filled in e-COST:
• Title
• Start and end date (within the active Grant Period i.e. before 1 October 2026)
• Details of budget requested by the applicant
• Information about the host institution and contact person
To be uploaded in e-COST:
• Application form (template available on e-COST) describing: Goals; Description of the work to be carried out by the Applicant; Plan for participation; Expected outcomes; and Description of the contribution to the EuroHealthHist Cost Action MoU objectives (available in the Action documents here);
• Confirmation of the host on the agreement from the host institution to receiving the applicant. A STSM Grant Application Form is available at: https://www.cost.eu/STSM_GrantApplication
Priority criteria for selection
Applications will be assessed by the Assessment Committee, consisting of the Chair, the Vice-Chair, the Grant Awarding Coordinator, and a member of the Core Group.
The criteria for selection and preferences of candidates are as follows:
- Excellence of the application promoting the direct contribution to EuroHealthHist WGs assessed by the Assessment Committee,
- Active contribution of the Applicant in the COST working groups assessed by the WG leader,
- 1st-time participant in EuroHealthHist STSM and/or other networking tools, including ITC and YRI grants
- COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy:
- ITC, NNC, and IPC members
- Young Researcher (< 40 years)
- Early-stage Researcher (< 4 years of research career)
- Gender balance
- Geographical diversity (host and/or applicant)
The requested budget must be compatible with the activities and the time frame proposed by the applicant to be developed during the STSM.
The Applicant will receive an official confirmation of the STSM with a link to the official grant letter.
Financial support - reimbursement
• STSM grants CONTRIBUTE to travel, accommodation, subsistence expenses and project implementation. They do not necessarily cover all the expenses.
• According to the MC decision, the maximum amount for an STSM grant in this period is €1700 for a visit of up to one month or €2500 for between 1-3 months. We will award up to 6 STSM grants in this period. There will be a second call later in 2026 for further applications.
Obs.: STSMs grantees may request up to 50% pre-payment of the approved grant. The remaining 50% of the grant is paid after the completion of the activity and approval of all required reporting/documentation.
After the STSM
Reporting and claim for payment of the grant:
- Payment will be completed when a short scientific report is approved.
- The required report for claiming the grant of a STSM should describe the work developed, main achievements of the STSM and planned future follow up activities.
- Once the activity has ended, the grantee has to submit the required reports and relevant documentation in e-COST within 30 days after the end date of the activity or 15 days after the end of the Grant Period, whichever comes first.
- Reports need to be approved by the EuroHealthHist Assessment Committee.
- Payment of the grant has to be claimed via e-COST.
- Failure to submit the scientific report within the requested period will effectively cancel the grant.
- The final report will be uploaded to the COST applications webpage. A scientific report template is available on the Documents & Guidelines page or through the following links:
- Template for STSM Report: https://www.cost.eu/STSM_Report
The list of achieved deliverables and a short presentation report of the STSM will be placed on the CA website and on-line newsletter.
For more general information on STSM please contact the Grant Awarding Coordinator: Maria Mundi-Lopez, mmundilopez@gmail.com
- Template for STSM Report: https://www.cost.eu/STSM_Report