OPEN CALL for SHORT TERM SCIENTIFIC MISSIONS (STSM)

Second Call: January 2024

Those interested in submitting an application should consult the CA21120 STSM Guidelines for details about eligibility, grants, and criteria for the evaluation of applications/proposals, as well as instructions on how to apply. The COST Action CA21120 comprises six working groups.
Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) are considered an excellent opportunity for participants to focus their work on research interests that have been highlighted by the Working Groups (WGs) or to introduce new ones in alignment with the objectives of the COST Action. For more information about the working groups, please visit: https://hidden-
costaction.eu.
During the second Grant period (1 November 2023 – 31 October 2024), the STSM funding line will be divided into two calls, as outlined in this table:

The present document presents the first call of Year 2:

COST Action CA21120 — History of Identity Documentation in European Nations: Citizenship, Nationality and Migration (HIDDEN)

• Application Deadline: 9 February 2024, 11:59 pm
• Duration: General: 5-90 days (subject to availability of funds)
• Early Career Investigators: up to 180 days (subject to availability of funds)
• Timeframe:
  • STSMs need to start between: 19 February and 30 April 2024
  • STSMs need to be completed before: 30 September 202

Eligibility

Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) are aimed at supporting individual mobility, at strengthening existing networks, and at fostering collaborations. Participation of ‘Early-Career Investigators’ (ECI) in STSM is particularly encouraged. An applicant can be considered an ECI when the time that has elapsed between the award date of the applicant’s PhD and the date of the applicant’s first involvement in the COST Action CA21120 does not exceed 8 years. We will take into account time spent in other occupations or in reproductive and care work. PhD students are also eligible to participate in STSMs. Other applicants must be employed by or affiliated with an institution or legal entity that has a clear association with conducting scientific research. BA and MA students are not eligible. In line with COST Excellence and Inclusion policies we encourage the application submission by researchers from ITC countries.

Financial Support

The financial support in the form of an STSM Grant covers travel, accommodation, and meal expenses. Please note that the awarded grant will be paid only after the STSM has been completed in accordance with STSM conditions. For the following STSM Call, the Management Committee of the Action has decided to allocate 9 STSMs of 2000 euro 3 STSMs of 950 euro each with a call outside the network. For COST Action members a maximum of EUR 2,000 can be allocated to each successful applicant for the entire STSM duration, (including a EUR 300 maximum for travel and EUR 160 per day for accommodation and meal expenses). For applicants outside the COST Action a maximum of EUR 950 can be allocated to each successful applicant for the entire STSM duration, (including a EUR 200 maximum for travel and EUR 160 per day for accommodation and meal expenses). Please note that the awarded grant will be paid only after the STSM has been completed in accordance with the STSM conditions.

Rules

STSMs can have a duration of between 5 days and 90 days (and up to 180 days if the applicant is an ECI). The financial support on offer is a contribution to the overall expenses incurred during the STSM and may not necessarily cover all the associated costs. Financial support is limited to cover travel, accommodation, and meal expenses and is paid in the form of a grant. The cost of research materials is not eligible for consideration as part of the grant. Please note that the awarded grant will be paid only after the STSM has been completed; therefore the applicant must have approval and prior financial support. Please note that failure to submit the scientific report within 30 days from the end date of the STSM will effectively cancel the Grant. COST can request additional information to substantiate the information contained within the documents submitted by STSM applicants. The visit location must take place in a country different from the candidate’s country of residence and different from the country of the candidate’s primary affiliation. Visa fees for the visiting country including expenses to obtain the visa. Costs related to personal security, health, taxation, social security, and pension matters are not covered as per COST rules.

Evaluation and selection of applicants

The proposal should show clear evidence of how the proposed STSM will benefit both the COST Action CA21120 and the Applicant. The proposal will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

Originality & Quality

• Relevance to the objectives of the action (Memorandum of Understanding)
• Originality of the chosen topic, methodology, resources and expected added value to the field of History of Identity Documentation in European Nations

Feasibility

• Feasibility of the proposed collaborative work within the proposed time and budget
• Clarity and details of proposed collaborative work

Applicant

• Applicants from any career stage are welcome. Please note that priority will be given to Early Career Investigators (ECIs) and/or members from Inclusive Target Countries
• Evaluation of the applicant’s abilities and research skills
• Consideration of the applicant’s academic background and motivation.

Outcomes

• Reporting of the completed work and the network quality of the written proposal
• Stated commitment to acknowledging HIDDEN support in any publications arising from the

STSM and commitment to writing a blog post on the experiences.

Application procedure

Complete the application form at the STSM application section of your e-COST profile on https://e-services.cost.eu/, uploading the following documentation:

a. Motivation Letter
In the section of the online application titled “Motivation and Workplan Summary”, enter a motivation letter (max. 2.000 words) including:

• Aims and objectives, description, expected results, and dissemination of the work/activities to be performed;
• Justification for the choice of the Host Institution;
• Diagram or table (e.g. Gantt chart) of duties to be performed (work plan);
• Contribution towards the scientific objectives of the Action and benefits to the applicant.

b. Letter of support from the Home Institution;

c. Letter of invitation from the Host Institution, under the supervision of a senior researcher affiliated to that institution;

d. Full CV (max. 3 pages), including a list of academic publications if applicable (font: 12 pt. Times New Roman, page borders: 1.2 inches, line spacing 1,5).

Please be aware that upon completion of the Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM), each awardee is required to produce the following deliverables:

1. Detailed STSM reports, which should include the mission’s objectives, outcomes achieved, and a description of the work and activities conducted.
2. The mandatory creation of a blog post about the STSM for the Action’s website – a template will be provided but all awardees should also check the HIDDEN website for past examples: https://hidden-costaction.eu/stsm/

Additionally, if any publications result from the STSM, it is required to acknowledge the COST Action in the publication’s acknowledgment section.

You will be notified of the outcome by the Action’s Grant Awarding Coordinator a maximum of 15 days after the submission of the application.

Final provisions

Failure to submit the scientific report and the supporting documents within 15 days after the end date of the STSMs will effectively cancel the grant. Grant is payable up to 45 days after the grantee’s report and supporting documents have been approved by the Action Chair (or Vice-Chair). Please note that COST Association and Action’s Grant holder may request additional information to substantiate the information contained within the documents submitted by STSM applicants. You should consult the COST travel reimbursement rules for any queries on eligible expenses. STSM grant holders must properly acknowledge their financial support in a scientific report and any additional research documentation, which is a direct result of the STSM visit. Please contact the STSM Coordinator Dr Karolina Lendák-Kabók via email for any questions relating to the STSM application process: