European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) is the longest-running European framework for Research and Innovation. For over 50 years, we have offered European researchers and innovators, a simple and flexible pathway to take part in the best science and technology networks in Europe and across the world. Below is the COST timeline which displays many of the major milestones that constitute the history of COST.
During the 1960s European countries began to frame science policies in order to close the gap in science and technology between Europe and the USA.
Mr Hans-Hilger Haunschild is appointed Chair of COST.
Mr Rolf Berger is appointed Chair of COST.
The Ministerial Conference of 22 and 23 November 1971 is generally presented as the official entry into force of COST and at which the first Inter-governmental agreements were signed.
Mr Cyril Silver is appointed Chair of COST.
5 COST Actions running.
Mr Stanley Nielsen is appointed Chair of COST.
Mr Johan Martin-Löf is appointed Chair of COST.
Mr Jean-Pierre Rozelot is appointed Chair of COST.
28 COST Actions running.
Mr Emilio Munoz-Ruiz is appointed Chair of COST.
Mr Nicolas Roulet is appointed Chair of COST.
Ministerial Conference in Vienna, 5 Members added: Serbia, Hungary, Iceland, Poland and Czecholslovakia.
2 Members added: Croatia, Slovenia.
2 Members added: Czech Republic, Slovakia
Mr Maximilian Metzger is appointed Chair of COST. Read more about his role
COST Interaction Conference in Basel, Switzerland.
117 COST Actions running.
Ministerial Conference in Prague – 3 Members are added Malta, Romania, Estonia.
Mr Gösta Diehl is appointed Chair of COST. Read more
4 Observer Members added, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia, Cyprus.
4 Members added, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia, Cyprus.
Israel becomes a Cooperating Member.
The 6th framework programme FP6 commences in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA).
The Republic of North Macedonia joins COST as a Member.
Ministerial Conference in Dubrovnik.
ESF creates the COST office in Brussels to implement COST during FP7.
Mr Tony Mayer is appointed the Director of COST.
Prof. Dr Francesco Fedi is appointed President of COST.
Dr Martin Grabert is appointed the Director of COST.
170 COST Actions running.
The 7th framework programme (FP7) for Research and Technical Development commences.
Bosnia and Herzegovina joins as a COST Member.
Dr Angeles Rodríguez-Peña is appointed President of COST in June 2010, holding office until June 2017.
Ministerial Conference in Palma de Mallorca.
Dr Monica Dietl is appointed the Director of COST.
COST Members established the COST Association as the legal entity to implement COST.
297 Actions running.
Horizon 2020, the 8th framework programme commences.
Ministerial Conference – Montenegro added as COST Member.
Ministerial Conference in Bratislava.
Dr Ronald de Bruin is appointed the Director of COST.
Prof. Dr Sierd Cloetingh is appointed President of COST in June 2017.
COST Connect launched. COST Connect are thematic workshops that bring COST Actions, policymakers and key European stakeholders together to network and grow their ideas.
Albania joins as a COST Member. Kosovo* becomes a COST Near Neighbour Country. *This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
Moldova joins as a COST Member.
The COST Association welcomes the Republic of South Africa as its first COST Partner Member.
Prof. Paulo Ferrão is appointed President of COST in June 2019.
Ministerial Conference 2021 under the auspices of the EU Portuguese Presidency (online).
COST celebrates it’s 50th anniversary.
Prof. Alain Beretz is appointed President of COST in June 2021.
Georgia, Ukraine, and Armenia join as COST Members.
Prof. Salvatore Grimaldi is appointed President of COST in July 2023.
Prof. Åse Gornitzka is appointed President of COST in June 2025.