Brussels, Belgium – 3 May 2011

COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) and the European Science
Foundation (ESF) have been informed by the European Commission Directorate-General for Research & Innovation of their decision to allocate an additional 30 million euro to COST.

The additional funding raises the total budget for COST to 240 million euro for the EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). An additional 10 million euro may be released to COST depending on developments in the EU budget.

COST implements networking activities for researchers, contributing to the European Research Area (ERA) goals and participating in the delivery of the Europe 2020 agenda.

“This is a clear vote of confidence in COST’s governance and our intergovernmental
framework’s ability to contribute to building a globally competitive ERA. COST’s potential to be an important driver in delivering excellence and leading innovation has been recognised and fuelled for future growth,” stated Dr Ángeles Rodríguez-Peña, President of the COST Committee of Senior Officials.

“ESF, as implementing agent for COST, recognises this additional budget allocation as an acknowledgement of a successful partnership between ESF and COST,” said Marja Makarow, Chief Executive of the European Science Foundation. “It also reflects the valuable contribution COST can make tomorrow, by enhancing capacity building in Europe. ESF will continue to support COST in achieving its goals and increasing the competitiveness of the ERA.”

Dr Monica Dietl who started as newly appointed COST Office Director on 1 April 2011 adds “the additional budget will give us a fresh impetus and reinforce the collaboration between ESF and COST for the remainder of the programming period.”

Media contacts:

Chloe Kembery, Senior Communications Officer at the European Science Foundation
ckembery@esf.org • Tel: +33-38-87-62-158 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            +33-38-87-62-158      end_of_the_skype_highlighting • Cell +33-643-17-23-82 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            +33-643-17-23-82      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or

Inge De Prins, COST Office PR and Communications Manager
inge.deprins@cost.eu • Tel: +32 (0)2 533 38 03 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            +32 (0)2 533 38 03      end_of_the_skype_highlighting • Cell +32 (0)49452 40 87 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            +32 (0)49452 40 87      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

COST is the oldest and widest intergovernmental framework for European Cooperation in Science and Technology, making it possible for the various national facilities, institutes, universities and private industry to work jointly on a wide range of Research and Development (R&D) activities. COST is presently used by the scientific communities of 36 European countries to cooperate in more than 250
research networks (called COST Actions) that leverage national research funds. www.cost.eu

The European Science Foundation (ESF) coordinates collaboration in research, networking, and funding of international research programmes, as well as carrying out strategic and science policy activities at a European level. Its members are 78 national research funding and performing agencies, learned societies and academies in 30 countries. www.esf.org