What is an STSM?
Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) are exchange visits in a Host Institution located in a different country than the country of affiliation of a Researcher or Innovator. STSMs aim to strengthen collaboration among researchers and Institutions or improve knowledge and skills of individuals.
It specifically contributes to the scientific objectives of LILY, whilst at the same time allows the Grantees to learn new techniques, gain access to specific data, instruments, and/or methods not available in their own institutions/organisations.
At the same time, the Host will expand its international contacts and develop long lasting collaboration.
Details
STSM Grant Details (Grant Period 1: November 2024 – October 2025)
The management committee of CA23133 has allocated up to €2,000 for each individual STSM during this period.
The STSM grant covers travel, accommodation, subsistence, project implementation, report submission to the COST Action Management Committee (MC), and overall effort. Grantees can carry out their missions anywhere in the world. However, the grant is a contribution and may not cover all expenses.
As participant grants are non-commercial transactions, they are not subject to VAT deductions. It is the responsibility of each participant to comply with their national tax rules and obligations regarding the grant.
STSM Grantees must arrange their own personal security, health coverage, taxation, social security, and pension matters.
Within 30 days after the STSM’s completion, the grantee must submit a scientific report to both the host institution and the Action Management Committee (MC).
The report must include:
- The purpose of the STSM
- Work carried out
- Main achievements
- Future follow-up activities
- The report must follow the official scientific report template, available in the Grant Awarding user guide and on the e-COST Supporting Documents page.
Apart from the report, selected participants are required to record a short video (up to 3 minutes) at the end of their STSM activities. In this video, participants should briefly present their work, key achievements, and highlights from the experience. The video, along with other communication materials, will be shared on LILY’s social media channels.
Host institution approval
After submitting the scientific report, the grantee must obtain an official acceptance confirmation from a researcher affiliated with the host institution.
The host institution’s approval can be a formal email confirming that:
- The STSM took place.
- The goals outlined in the work plan were achieved.
Document submission and grant completion
- The grantee must upload both the scientific report and the host institution’s acceptance confirmation (both in PDF format) to the e-COST system for the completion of the STSM.
- Failure to submit these documents will result in the cancellation of the Grant.
- Late submission may also lead to Grant cancellation and may require reimbursement of pre-paid funds.
Grant compliance
If any conditions or obligations are not met, the grant report will be rejected, and the grant will be canceled.
For further details on COST rules and Short-Term Scientific Missions, please refer to the COST Grant Awarding User Guide and COST Annotated Rules.
Applications should be submitted via e-COST platform.
To be filled in e-COST:
- Title of the activity
- Start and end date (must fall within the active Grant Period, i.e., no overlap across two consecutive Grant Periods)
- Budget requested
- Information about the host institution and contact person (the host institution must be in a different country than the applicant’s affiliation)
To be uploaded to e-COST:
- Application form (template available on e-COST) including:
- Goals of the activity
- Description of the work to be carried out
- Expected outcomes
- Contribution to the Action’s MoU objectives
- Confirmation from the host institution agreeing to receive the applicant.
For more information on how to apply, please see the STSM Guide and the Grant Awarding User Guide.
Applications will be assessed based on eligibility, scientific merit, alignment with LILY objectives, impact, contribution to COST excellence and inclusiveness policies (e.g., support for young researchers and gender balance), and the potential for fostering interdisciplinary collaborations based on the following criteria:
Scientific quality of the proposal:
- Relevance: Alignment with the scientific scope of COST Action LILY.
- Innovation: Contribution to interdisciplinary research, international collaboration, and new knowledge within LILY’s objectives.
- Feasibility: The likelihood of achieving the proposed objectives within the STSM timeframe.
- Career Impact: How the STSM will enhance the applicant’s professional development.
- Access to resources: Utilization of unique facilities, expertise, or equipment unavailable at the applicant’s home institution.
Applicant qualifications:
- CV and research background: The applicant’s qualifications, experience, and research contributions.
- Publication record: Preference will be given to applicants with publications related to the LILY Action themes.
Prioritization Criteria:
- Young Researchers and Innovators (YRI): Preference will be given to applicants under the age of 40 and PhD students.
- Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC): Priority will be given to applicants affiliated with institutions in ITC countries, though applications from non-ITC institutions are also welcome.
- Gender balance: LILY is committed to promoting gender equality in all activities.
The STSM must have a minimum duration of 5 calendar days that includes travel. The STSM needs to be carried out in its entirety within a single Grant Period and always within the Action’s lifetime.
STSM past calls
This call was open from 10 June to 27 June 2025
STSM period: between 05 July and 15 October 2025
WG1 STSM 1. Project: “Enhancing the Ecosystem Services Matrix: A Literature-Based Update to Assess Health Impacts of Nature-Based Solutions”
Hosting institution: Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Hamburg, Germany
Award: €2000
Description: In this project, we are conducting a literature review to build on an ecosystem service matrix relating NbS to health.
WG1 STSM 2. Project: “The relationship between naturE-based solutions and management of mosquito populations”
Hosting institution: University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece
Award: €2000
Description: In this project, we investigate whether NbS can be used in a structural and comprehensive manner to address mosquito populations that cause nuisance or, more importantly, vector diseases.
WG2 Project: “Mapping and categorising stakeholders engaged in Nature-based Solutions and health”
Hosting institution: University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia
Award: €2000
Description: This STSM will lay the groundwork for mapping and categorizing stakeholders in nature-based solutions and health through an inclusive, cross-knowledge approach. A standardized tool will be developed for systematic mapping across the COST network, addressing structural, institutional, and actor-based dimensions. The mission also includes training to ensure consistent application, with a train-the-trainer workshop focused on best practices in stakeholder identification, data structuring, and harmonized, high-quality data collection across countries.
WG3 STSM 1 Project: “NbS-Health network and data platform”
Hosting institution: Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
Award: €2000
Description: This project develops a pilot data platform linking Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and health. It will integrate Large Language Models (LLMs) to extract, categorize, and structure case study data, while supporting knowledge exchange among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. The platform will prioritize seamless data integration and usability for diverse stakeholders.