Call Open: ITC Grants for MedPlants4Vet Researchers

Submit a Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) Conference Grants

The COST Action CA22109 – MedPlants4Vet invites applications for ITC Conference Grants. These grants aim to support PhD students and Early Career Investigators (ECIs) from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs) in presenting their work at high-level international conferences not organized or co-organized by the Action. The grants are intended to promote the integration of researchers from ITCs into the scientific community and to enhance the visibility of the Action.

Who Can Apply?

• Applicants must be PhD students or ECIs affiliated with an institution in an ITC or Near Neighbour Country (NNC)* participating in the MedPlants4Vet Action.
• The applicant must be listed in the official conference program as oral presenter.
• The conference must be relevant to the objectives of MedPlants4Vet and take place within the specified conference participation period.
• The applicant must be an e-COST user with a completed profile.

Note the ITC Conference Grants are now available to researchers/innovators of any age and are no longer restricted to Young Researchers under 40 years old. Since grant period 2024/2025 ITC Conference Grants will only be awarded to Grantees having an oral presentation.

*The list of countries is available in this link: a COST Inclusiveness Target Country (ITC) or region or Near Neighbour Country (NNC).

Financial Support:

• Up to EUR 1,000 for in-person conferences (including registration fees).
• Up to EUR 500 for virtual conferences.

Application Procedure:

Applications must be submitted through the e-COST system (https://e-services.cost.eu/). The following documents are required:

1. Completed ITC Conference Grant application form.
2. Acceptance letter from the conference organizers.
3. Copy of the abstract submitted to the conference.
4. Short CV (including a list of publications, if applicable).
5. Motivation letter explaining the relevance of the conference to the applicant's work and the MedPlants4Vet Action.

Evaluation and Selection:

Applications will be evaluated by the Grant Awarding Committee Grant Awarding Coordinators, Grant Holder and the Chair of the COST Action) based on:

• Relevance of the conference to the MedPlants4Vet objectives.
• Quality and clarity of the abstract.
• Potential impact on the applicant's career.
• Contribution to the visibility of the Action.

Reporting Requirements:

Grantees must submit a scientific report and relevant supporting documents within 30 days after the conference. The grant will be paid after the approval of the report.

A short report version of the grantees’ of their experience to be published in the newsletter and to contribute with content (posts, pictures, short videos…) for the Action social media and Website.

Detailed information are explained in this video: COST Action Networking Tools: Conference Grants for Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) - YouTube

Important Dates

Note this is an open call. Allow at least 3 weeks between submitting your application and the start date of the Conference.

Need Help?

Grant Awarding Coordinators: 

Begum Yurdakok Dikmen (byurdakok(at)yahoo.com)
Juliana Trifkovic (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