RATIONALE provides a limited number of grants to support participants from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs) and Near Neighbour Countries (NNCs) to present their work at high-level international conferences.
Under the current COST Annotated Rules, ITC Conference Grants remain a key tool to strengthen inclusiveness by supporting researchers from less represented countries in the European research landscape.
Purpose
The ITC Conference Grants aim to:
- support participation in high-level international conferences;
- promote the visibility of COST Action research;
- facilitate networking and collaboration;
- strengthen participation from ITCs and NNCs;
- support dissemination of Action results.
Eligibility Criteria
Who can apply?
- Participants of RATIONALE
- Affiliated with an institution in an ITC or NNC (as registered in e-COST)
- Accepted oral presentation at a relevant international conference
- Presentation must be related to the Action
Applications should preferably be submitted at least 45 days before the conference.
Applicants must acknowledge COST support during their presentation.
According to current COST rules, ITC Conference Grants support oral presentations only, which is now more clearly defined than in previous practice.
What is supported?
The grant supports participation in international conferences where the applicant presents their own work.
It contributes to:
- travel
- accommodation
- subsistence
- registration fees
The grant is a financial contribution and does not necessarily cover all costs.
Financial Support
Grant amounts are decided by the Grant Awarding Committee.
Typical amounts:
- ~600 EUR (Europe)
- ~900 EUR (outside Europe)
These values may vary depending on the conference and available budget.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted via the e-COST platform.
Required information:
- presentation title
- conference details
- budget estimate
Required documents:
- abstract
- acceptance letter
- motivation letter
- CV
Applications are evaluated by the Grant Awarding Committee based on their relevance to the Action’s objectives.
Post-Conference Requirements
After the conference, successful applicants must submit:
- scientific report
- certificate of attendance
- proof of presentation
- copy of presentation
Note on updated COST rules
The overall purpose of ITC Conference Grants has not changed. However, the current Annotated Rules provide:
- clearer distinction from YRC grants
- stricter focus on oral presentations
- more standardised application and reporting procedures
- stronger alignment with COST inclusiveness policy