What is STSM?
Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) under the COST Action MedPlants4Vet, are designed to promote international collaboration, individual mobility, and the exchange of knowledge among researchers working in veterinary phytotherapy-related fields such as: pharmaceutical biology, pharmacognosy, botany, veterinary medicine, pharmacology and toxicology, livestock sciences, ethnoveterinary medicine and veterinary phytotherapy. STSMs enable researchers or innovators to visit a host organization in a different country from their home institutionto conduct collaborative research, learn new methodologies, or access specific tools, data, or techniques not available at their home institutions.
The primary aim of STSMs within MedPlants4Vet is to support the scientific objectives of the Action by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and strengthening research capacity across participating countries. These missions particularly encourage the involvement of Young Researchers and Innovators (YRIs, under 40 years of age) to enhance their skills, expand their networks, and contribute to bridging medicinal plants for animal healthcare.
STSMs benefit both the grantee and the host: the grantee gains valuable hands-on experience and insights into novel analytical techniques or traditional knowledge systems, while the Host institution expands its international collaborations and contributes to building a sustainable network for future research initiatives.
Who Can Apply?
- MSc and PhD students.
- Affiliated researchers from institutions in COST countries or Cooperating Member countries.
- Applicants from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) are especially encouraged.
STSM Criteria (Based on COST Rules)
- Duration: 5–90 days (or up to 180 days for early career investigators, defined as individuals within a certain number of years, usually up to 8, after obtaining their PhD; travel days excluded).
- Must be completed within the grant period (MedPlant4Vet: 31.10.2025
- Should align with one or more working groups (WG3,WG4, and WG5) and the overall COST Action objectives.
- Applications must include a Letter of Invitation from the host institution.
- A Grant Agreement must be signed before the mission begins.
How to Apply – Step-by-Step
1. Discuss and Plan
Identify a suitable host institution (academic, research, or industry). Align the mission with the goals of MedPlant4Vet and the relevant Working Group. Request a Letter of Invitation from your host.
2. Prepare Your Application
Log into the e-COST portal (https://e-services.cost.eu/). Fill out the STSM application form (Annex 1) and upload the following documents:
- STSM Work Plan (Annex 2)
- Motivation Letter explaining how the STSM aligns with the COST Action’s objectives.
- CV (max 3 pages)
- Letter of Support from the home institution (Annex 3)
- Letter of Invitation from the host institution (Annex 4)
- Requested Budget (Annex 5)
- Verification Sheet (Annex 6)
3. Submit Your Application
Ensure the full application is submitted at least 30 days before the planned start date. Applications will be reviewed by the STSM Committee of MedPlant4Vet.
4. Evaluation and Notification
The STSM Committee (Grant Awarding Coordinators, Grant Holder and the Chair of the COST Action) evaluates the applications based on scientific merit, feasibility of the work plan, relevance, benefit to the development of the COST Action and balance (gender, country, career stage). The final ranking will be approved by the Action Chair and Co-Chair.
If the application is successful, the Grant Awarding Coordinator (GAC) performs the online pre-approval and the Grant Holder (GH) sends an Acceptance letter to the applicant, informing themof the approval and financial support granted.
The selected researchers should wait for the official invitation from the Grant Holder before booking any travel arrangements.
5. Before Your STSM
Sign the Grant Agreement Letter (GAL). Make your travel and accommodation arrangements.
6. After Your STSM
Submit a short Report (Annex 7), fill End-o-STSM Host Institution Form (Annex 8) and evidence of completed mobility (travel documents). Deadline: within 30 days of completing the STSM. Payment is made after the final Report is approved.
The Report must include the purpose, main achievements, future plans. and any planned publications resulting from the STSM, using the report template provided by COST (https://www.cost.eu/STSM_Report), along with a confirmation of successful completion of the STSM by the host. After approval of the final report by the STSM Committee, the Grant Holder will transfer the outstanding amount of the grant. It is important that the dates in the application, letter of acceptance, and final Report are consistent.
The grantee must acknowledge support received from MedPlant4Vet in all publications resulting from the STSM. Any publications are strongly encouraged to be Open Access, for example in ‘Open Research Europe’, for which the publication costs can be covered by COST.Need Help?
For STSM questions:
Grant Awarding Coordinators:
Begum Yurdakok Dikmen (byurdakok(at)yahoo.com)
Juliana Trifkovis (julijana.trifkovic(at)pof.ues.rs.ba)
Administrative matters:
Theresa Schlittenlacher (theresa.schlittenlacher(at)fibl.org)
Bernadette Waldmeier - bernadette.waldmeier(at)fibl.org
Concerning the Action Chair:
Theresa Schlittenlacher (Theresa.schlittenlacher(at)fibl.org)
Marta Mendel (marta_mendel(at)sggw.edu.pl)
Travel expenses and general matters:
Michael Walkenhorst (michael.walkenhorst(at)fibl.org)
For scientific alignment:
Contact the Working Group Leader
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