STSM call 5
Fifth call for Short Term Scientific Missions (STSM) of the COST Action MiCropBiomes
Dear colleagues,
We are delighted to announce the opening of the 5th call for Short Term Scientific Missions (STSM) of the COST Action MiCropBiomes: Exploiting Plant-Microbiomes Networks and Synthetic Communities to Improve Crops’ Fitness. We are now receiving applications for STSM due to take place between January and September 2026.
The deadline for submitting applications is December 20, 2025.
All applications need to be sent by email to the Grant Awarding Coordinator, Ivan Nikolić (ivan.nikolic@bio.bg.ac.rs). He will then confirm the receipt of applications. Only approved applications will be recorded in e-COST later.
Generally, STSM are:
- Exchange visits between researchers involved in a COST Action, allowing scientists to visit an institution or laboratory in another COST country;
- Aimed at fostering collaboration, sharing new techniques and infrastructure that may not be available in other participants’ institutions or laboratories;
- Minimum of 5 calendar days.
The financial contribution for such a STSM will be a fixed grant based on the applicant’s budget request and the evaluation of the application by the Grant Awarding Committee (max. 4000 € in total, covering travel and subsistence, i.e., accommodation and meal expenses).
To apply, please send the following documents to the Grant Awarding Coordinator:
- STSM grant Application (based on STSM Application template) – Please note that exceeding the word count may result in your application being penalized.
- Written agreement of the Host institution,
- Letter of support from the Home institution (written agreement from the supervisor or group leader, if applicable),
- Supporting documents (Cover letter, incl. cost estimate for travel and subsistence; Recent CV of max. 3 pages, incl. list of relevant publications).
Please consult the Annotated Rules for COST Actions (ANNEX 2, pages 96 to 104) and the Grant Awarding User guide (version from December 2024) for more details on eligibility for application and the reimbursement rules. Please be aware that STSM grants do not necessarily cover all expenses related to undertaking a given mission. Please be also aware that the grantee needs to provide all travel documents and a written report within 30 days after the end date of the activity or 15 days after the end of the Grant Period, whichever date comes first.
Grants are paid by the Grant Holder Institution after the completion of the activity and approval of all required report/documentation. However, STSM grantees may request up to 50% pre-payment of the approved grant. This amount is subject to availability of funds and approval by the Grant Holder Institution. The request of pre-payment shall be submitted to the Grant Holder Manager. The remaining 50% of the grant is payable once the administrative requirements have been satisfied.
Please note that the name and affiliation of all grantees, STSM project titles and host institutes will be published on the MiCropBiomes website. STSM reports will be published unless they contain confidential data. All other information will be kept confidential.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
With kind regards,
Ralf Koebnik (WG5 Vice Leader)
Ivan Nikolić (Grant Awarding Coordinator)