Virtual Mobility (VM) Grant

Virtual Mobility grant consists of collaboration in an online setting among researchers or innovators within the COST Action to exchange knowledge, learn new techniques, etc. It is a flexible tool for implementing online activities inside the network, achieving the MoU objectives, and significantly increasing their impact and reach. For examples of possible VM activities, please see the Annotated Rules for COST Actions (Annex 2, §A2-1.1.2).

💰Funding

The maximum amount per VM grant is EUR 1500. The Action MC or Core Group decides the amount according to the duration, scope, and complexity of the task.

 

The application process is as follows:

📋Before the VM:

• Interested partners can apply via the e-COST system following an open call for applications from the CYANOACTION Action. Registration for an e-COST profile at https://e-services.cost.eu/ is needed.
• Applicants are encouraged to carefully read the rules detailed in the Annotated rules for COST Actions, ANNEX 2 & §4.1.1.1, §6.3, 6.4
• We strongly encourage applicants to contact respective working group leaders prior to submitting their application to ensure that the proposed outcome of their VM agrees with the objectives of this action and working group topics.

 

💻Documents to be uploaded to e-COST:

• The virtual networking support grant application (based on e-COST template https://www.cost.eu/VM_GrantApplication) describing: Main Objective, a description of the work to be carried out by the applicant, a plan for participation, expected outcomes, and a description of the contribution to the Action MoU objectives;
• An agreement letter from the home institution’s supervisor should be uploaded to the e-COST along with the application

To facilitate the evaluation process, we kindly ask applicants to clearly state in which workgroup(s) their VM will contribute.

 

🖊️To be filled in e-COST:

• Title
• Start and end date (within the active Grant Period, i.e., no overlap across two consecutive Grant Periods)
• Budget requested by the applicant

The application will then be assessed by the formally delegated Grant Awarding Coordinator and Grant Evaluation Committee, who will provide a proposal of selected grants and amounts to the Action MC/Core Group for their approval. After the evaluation, the applicant will be formally notified of the outcome of their VM application by the Grant Awarding Coordinator.

 

⚠️After the VM:

• Once the activity has ended, the grantee submits the report on the work developed, main outcomes and achieved outputs of the Virtual Mobility, and description of the future follow-up collaboration (based on report template https://www.cost.eu/VM_Report) with other 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 date comes first.
• Grantee should submit a poster (using the Action template) presenting the VM scope and main achievements, which will be available on the CYANOACTION website.
• The Grant Awarding Coordinator will collect reports submitted by individual grantees and coordinate Grant Evaluation Committee approval and confirmation or rejection of the report.
• Management Committee/Core Group: approves/rejects report;
• The Grant Awarding Coordinator informs the Grant Holder about the approval/rejection of the report
• Grant Holder: pays the Grant once the report is approved and all necessary supporting documents are submitted

The report should clearly state the purpose of the VM, describe the work carried out, describe the results and main achievements obtained during the VM, plan future collaborations, and assess the impact of the conducted VM on personal career development. 

Failure to submit the scientific report within the set timeframe may cancel the Grant.

 

👍Receiving payment of the grant:

• The Grant Holder pays grants after the completion of the activity and approval of all required reports/documentation.

List of grantees

Recipient	Home Institution	Dates of mobility	Scientific outcome
Grant Period 1 (Oct 2024 – Sep 2025)
No call for VM grants during the GP1
Grant Period 2 (Oct 2025 – Sep 2026)
Angelos Pazis	Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Thessaloniki, Greece)	01 April – 31 May 2026	Link to the poster
Jure Zrim	University of Helsinki (Helsinki, Finland)	01 April – 31 May 2026	Link to the poster