Virtual Mobility Grants for MedPlants4Vet Researchers

Background

Within MedPlants4Vet, WG3 compiles ethnoveterinary and historical knowledge on medicinal plants, including structured information on preparation, indication, target animal species, dosing and use. WG4 compiles and evaluates information relevant to quality, safety, sustainability and risk assessment of medicinal plants used in veterinary medicine.

At this stage, both Working Groups require focused support for the manual entry, verification, harmonisation and merging of inventory records in the designated MedPlants4Vet system. The Virtual Mobility activities will contribute to completing these datasets in a consistent and structured format and facilitating their integration and future use within the Action.

Objectives

The selected applicants will contribute to:

• the manual entry and control of WG3 or WG4 inventory data into the designated MedPlants4Vet system.
• checking and harmonising entries according to the agreed structure and Working Group methodology.
• identifying duplicate, incomplete or inconsistent records and supporting their correction.
• merging and integrating the available inventory records into a consistent structured dataset.
• coordinating with the respective Working Group and relevant database/system team during the activity.
• supporting the finalisation and quality control of the WG3 and WG4 inventories.

Expected Deliverables

Each grantee is expected to provide:

1. A short report summarising the work performed during the VM period (including materials and methods);
2. A completed and quality-checked structured dataset for the respective Working Group;
3. Harmonised and merged inventory entries, including identification and resolution of duplicate or inconsistent records;
4. A brief summary of remaining data gaps, unresolved issues or recommendations for finalisation.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must:

• Be a member of MP4V and preferably WG3 or WG4, according to the activity applied for.
• Be able to demonstrate relevant experience in structured data handling, inventory/database work, literature-based data extraction or related activities aligned with the call objectives.
• Be affiliated with a legal entity in a COST Full or Cooperating Member or Near Neighbour Country (NNC).
• Have an updated e-COST profile (https://e-services.cost.eu).
• Participation from Early Career Investigators (ECIs) and applicants from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs) is strongly encouraged.

Application Requirements

Applications are submitted via the e-COST system and must include:

• Virtual Mobility Grant Application (Annex 1)
• CV (maximum 2 pages, PDF)
• For applicants to the prioritized WG3/WG4 activities:
  • Mail of confirmation from the relevant WG3 or WG4 Leader (to be attached as PDF) upon agreement with the home institution supervisor.
    • Álvaro Fernández-Blanco Barreto (afcaae(at)gmail.com)
    • Jelena Arsenijevic- (jelena.arsenijevic(at)pharmacy.bg.ac.rs)

Applicants should clearly indicate in their application whether they are applying for the WG3 or WG4 Virtual Mobility activity.

Grant Amount and Budget Framework

• Each Virtual Mobility Grant awarded under this call provides a fixed contribution of €1000 to successful applicants.
• The grant is a flat-rate contribution intended to cover the time and resources invested by the grantee in virtual collaboration. It does not require receipts or expense reports.
• Activities covered by the VM call will be implemented between 15 September 2026 and 10 October 2026.
  • Call opens: 1 September 2026
  • Call closes: 14 September 2026
  • Virtual Mobility period: 15 September 2026-10 October 2026
• Payment is made after the successful submission and approval of the final report in e-COST.
• Number of funded VM Grants: 2 grants (one for WG3 and one for WG4).
• All activities must be completed within the current Grant Period and must comply with COST rules as described in the COST Annotated Rules (COST 094/21) and the Grant Awarding User Guide.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated by the respective WG3/WG4 leadership, in coordination with the Grant Awarding Coordinator, based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated experience with structured data handling, inventory/database work, literature-based data extraction or related tasks relevant to the respective Working Group.
• Ability to perform accurate manual data entry, data validation, harmonisation and quality control in line with the relevant Working Group methodology.
• Feasibility of the proposed work within the defined Virtual Mobility period and ability to complete the assigned inventory tasks by the required deadline.
• Supervisor approval and applicant availability during the VM period.

Priority may be given to applicants whose expertise directly addresses the current inventory finalisation needs of WG3 or WG4.

Reporting and Reimbursement

A report (Annex 2) must be submitted via e-COST no later than 15 October 2026. A short report version of the grantees' experience should also be provided for publication in the newsletter, together with content (posts, pictures, short videos etc.) for the Action social media and Website (Annex 3).

The grant is paid after approval of the final report by the Grant Awarding Coordinator and Grant Holder.

Need Help?

Grant Awarding Coordinators:

Begum Yurdakok Dikmen (byurdakok(at)yahoo.com)
Ivona Foitova (foitova(at)sci.muni.cz)

Administrative and general matters

Maura Ellenberger (maura.ellenberger(at)fibl.org)

Concerning the Action Chair

Theresa Schlittenlacher (theresa.schlittenlacher@fibl.org)
Marta Mendel- marta_mendel(at)sggw.edu.pl

Concerning the VM scientific matters/alignment

Contact the relevant Working Group 3 (WG3) or Working Group 4 (WG4) Leader.