Tweaks suggested for ‘greatly beneficial’ COST programme

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology programme, which supports international collaboration using EU R&D funding, has been of “great benefit” to European researchers, a study has found.

An analysis of the programme’s benefits for Germany was commissioned from the research consultancy Prognos by Germany’s ministry of education and research. It drew on sources including two online surveys of about 780 people, interviews with research policy representatives and 125 COST project reports.

“Overall, the extensive analyses reveal the great benefit and major impact of COST with regard to research in Germany and the entire European research community,” a study summary published on 13 August said.