COST, the European Cooperation in Science and Technology, will continue to be managed by the European Science Foundation (ESF) under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The European Commission and ESF signed a contract to this effect at the end of July.
Under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), EU support for COST amounted to €80 million, a figure which is set to rise to €210 million under FP7. An additional €40 million could be added to the pot if a mid-term evaluation in 2010 is successful.

'The contract and the increase in funding is indeed a strong vote of confidence towards the ESF-COST cooperation,' said Dr Martin Grabert, Director of the COST Office. 'With this contract, we can truly capitalise on previous successes. We will not rest on our laurels, however, and continue to focus on cross-disciplinary initiatives and strengthening the synergy between the various research actors in Europe.'

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