COST approves 80 new research networks to launch in autumn 2026

The European organisation COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) has approved 80 new COST Actions, bringing together researchers and innovators from across Europe and beyond. The projects were selected under the Open Call 2025 and are expected to start between September and November 2026.

The newly approved networks highlight the growing importance of COST as a key instrument for fostering international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and interdisciplinary research. The call was highly competitive, with a success rate of approximately 7.3%.

The new COST Actions demonstrate strong commitment to diversity and openness. More than half of the main proposers are women (53%), while nearly one-third are young researchers. Collaboration with industry is also significant, with 70% of projects involving partners from industry or SMEs. 71% of the new networks have attracted participants from all over the world.

The topics covered are wide-ranging, spanning psychosis prevention, silent fans, neuromorphic computing, vaccines for overall health benefits, artificial intelligence, conservation of modern art, and parental and children well-being.

A key feature of COST Actions is their openness: researchers can join ongoing networks even after they begin, by applying to participate in working groups. The full list of the newly approved COST Actions can be downloaded here.

COST has also announced the launch of its next Open Call, which will open on 31 July 2026. You can also join the online COST Info Day on 16 June.