First Call for ITC CONFERENCE First Call for ITC CONFERENCE of COST Action Maternal Perinatal Stress and Adverse Outcomes in the Offspring: Maximising infants’ development (TREASURE) The call for Applicants will be open from the 28th of April until the 15th of May, 2025 for Conference ending before 1st October 2025 1. WHAT IS AN ITC CONFERENCE GRANT? ITC Conference Grants aim at supporting Young Researchers affiliated in an Inclusiveness Target Country (ITC) or Near Neighbor Country (NNC) to attend and present their work in conferences not organized by the COST. The conference can take place anywhere in the world. This grant supports the objectives of the COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy. WHAT IS TREASURE? TREASURE is a four-year COST ACTION that started on 09/11/2023. The main goal is to address the effect of maternal stress on infant health in the short and long term. The activities in TREASURE are structured in six Working Groups (WGs). Details on the content and goals of each WG are available in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA22114/ 2. FINANCIAL SUPPORT This is the first call for ITC Conference Grants funded by Cost Action CA22114. TREASURE is offering three ITC Conference Grants. Up to a total of EUR 1,000.00 can be awarded to the selected applicants for face-to-face conferences, or EUR 500 for online conferences. The grant is intended to provide a contribution for travelling, accommodation and subsistence, registration fee and general expenses. It may therefore not cover all the costs associated to the mission. Please note that the awarded grant will be paid only after attendance at the conference. 3. WHO CAN APPLY? ITC Conference Grant funds an oral presentation of their own work within the scope of the Action by a Younger Action Participant affiliated to a legal entity located in an Inclusiveness Target Country/Near Neighbor Country in a high-level conference fully organized entirely by a third party, i.e. not organized nor co-organized by the COST Action. IMPORTANT: Conferences must be completed by October 1st, 2025. 4. OBJECTIVES OF ITC CONFERENCE GRANTS Serve COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy. Supports Young Action Participant affiliated to a legal entity located in an Inclusiveness Target Countries/ Near Neighbor Countries to establish a strong network and increase their visibility in the research community through sharing their work and to gain knowledge. Contribute to increasing visibility of the Action. 5. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Applications for ITC Conference Grants are managed through the e-COST management tool (https://e-services.cost.eu/user/login). The applicants will complete the information on the website and upload the following documents: To be filled in e-COST: Title of the presentation Conference title, date (within the active Grant Period, i.e.no overlap across two consecutive Grant Periods) and country. Budget requested. Attendance Type (face to face or online). To be uploaded to e-COST: Application form (template available on e-COST) describing: Relevance of the conference topic to the Action and Motivation describing the potential for impact on the applicant’s career. Copy of the abstract of the accepted oral presentation focused on promoting the scientific achievements and activities being performed by the TREASURE COST Action. If available, the acceptance (or invitation) letter from the conference organizers for the work to be presented. If not available, the evaluation of the application can be processed by uploading a screenshot of the conference website indicating the expected date of notification of abstract acceptance. However, the upload of the acceptance letter will be mandatory for the final attribution of the grant. CV of the applicant This information will be visible to the holders of leadership positions and any evaluation committees in the Action for evaluation purposes. In the application, the applicant must describe the relevance of the conference topic to the Action and the motivation, describing the potential for impact on the applicant’s career. Moreover, applicants for ITC Conference Grants should provide clear evidence of how attending the conference will help them to build a strong network and increase their visibility in the research community through sharing their work and gaining knowledge. We will also aim at achieving a balance of granted ITC Conference Grants among the different Working Groups. Once the ITC Conference Grant has ended, the grantee must submit the following documentations: Report to the Action MC on the outcome of the presentation of the accepted contribution, in terms of grantee’s visibility, including the establishment of new contacts for future collaborations. The certificate of attendance. The programme of the conference or book of abstracts/proceedings indicating the oral presentation of the grantee. Copy of the given oral presentation. The documentation needs to be submitted within 30 days after the end date of the Conference. It is noted that if the applicant does not submit the required report on time, the grant is cancelled. Application Form (Annex 1) More information
Second Call STSM
SECOND CALL STSM Second Call for Short Term Scientific Mission (STSM) of COST Action Maternal Perinatal Stress and Adverse Outcomes in the Offspring: Maximising infants’ development (TREASURE) The call for Applicants will be open from the 15th of February until the 31st of March for STSM ending before 1st October 2025. 1. STSM and TREASURE This is the second call for Short Term Scientific Mission (STSM) funded by Cost Action CA22114. STSM is a mobility grant aimed to promoting individual mobility to gain new skills and knowledge in areas of interest of the TREASURE COST Action. TREASURE is a four-year COST ACTION that started on 09/11/2023. The main goal is to address the effect of maternal stress on infant health in the short and long term. The activities in TREASURE are structured in six Working Groups (WGs). Details on the content and goals of each WG are available in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at www.cost.eu/actions/CA22114 2. Application TREASURE offers four STSM grants to financially support individuals in their mobility. The grant contributes to the overall travel, accommodation, and meal expenses of the grantee, but it may not necessarily cover all expenses. The minimum visit should last for 5 working days, and the maximum is 1 month. Details about the maximum daily allowance that can be claimed for accommodation and meal expenses per country can be found in COST Daily Allowance Rates. Applicants are also requested to consult the Annotated Rules for COST Actions. STSM applicants have to calculate the cost of the visit by themselves, with the travel costs covered up to EUR 500 and daily amount depending on the country. Up to a maximum of EUR 2,000.00 in total can be awarded to each successful STSM applicant. IMPORTANT. STSMs must be completed by October 1th, 2025. 3. Application instructions Applications for STSMs are managed through the e-COST management tool (https://e-services.cost.eu/user/login). The applicants will complete the information on the website and upload the following documents: To be filled in e-COST: Title of the STSM Start and end date Budget requested by the applicant Information about the host institution and contact person Confirmation letter from the HOST Institution, confirming agreement to receive the applicant APPLICATION FORM, including a work plan detailing the proposed activities. The work plan should describe goals, the work to be carried out by the applicant, expected outcomes and how it contributes to the Action objectives CV, including a list of academic publications if applicable A support letter from the HOME Institution For further details, the applicant may visit the Annotated Rules For additional information on the submission via the e-COST system, applicants may visit the Grant Awarding User Guide. 4. Grant awarding criteria Each proposal will be ranked by the STSM committee of the Action, and an evaluation score will be given considering the relevance to TREASURE, the quality of work plan, the applicant’s CV and the optimal budget’s plan. The selection will follow the COST policies on inclusiveness (gender, age, geography). The final ranking will be approved by the Action Chair and Grant Awarding Coordinator. GRANT AWARDING CRITERIA STSM Application Form More information
First Call STSM
FIRST CALL STSM First Call for Short Term Scientific Mission (STSM) of COST Action Maternal Perinatal Stress and Adverse Outcomes in the Offspring: Maximising infants’ development (TREASURE) The call for Applicants will be open from the 1st of April until the 10th of May for STSM ending before 1st October 2024 1. STSM and TREASURE This is the first call for Short Term Scientific Mission (STSM) funded by Cost Action CA22114. STSM is a mobility grant aimed to promoting individual mobility to gain new skills and knowledge in areas of interest of the TREASURE COST Action. TREASURE is a four-year COST ACTION that started on 09/11/2023. The main goal is to address the effect of maternal stress on infant health in the short and long term. The activities in TREASURE are structured in six Working Groups (WGs). Details on the content and goals of each WG are available in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at www.cost.eu/actions/CA22114 2. Application TREASURE offers four STSM grants to financially support individuals in their mobility. The grant contributes to the overall travel, accommodation, and meal expenses of the grantee, but it may not necessarily cover all expenses. The minimum visit should last for 5 working days, and the maximum is 1 month. Details about the maximum daily allowance that can be claimed for accommodation and meal expenses per country can be found in COST Daily Allowance Rates. Applicants are also requested to consult the Annotated Rules for COST Actions. STSM applicants have to calculate the cost of the visit by themselves, with the travel costs covered up to EUR 500 and daily amount depending on the country. Up to a maximum of EUR 2,000.00 in total can be awarded to each successful STSM applicant. IMPORTANT. STSMs must be completed by October 1th, 2024. 3. Application instructions Applications for STSMs are managed through the e-COST management tool (https://e-services.cost.eu/user/login). The applicants will complete the information on the website and upload the following documents: To be filled in e-COST: Title of the STSM Start and end date Budget requested by the applicant Information about the host institution and contact person Confirmation letter from the HOST Institution, confirming agreement to receive the applicant APPLICATION FORM, including a work plan detailing the proposed activities. The work plan should describe goals, the work to be carried out by the applicant, expected outcomes and how it contributes to the Action objectives CV, including a list of academic publications if applicable A support letter from the HOME Institution For further details, the applicant may visit the Annotated Rules For additional information on the submission via the e-COST system, applicants may visit the Grant Awarding User Guide. 4. Grant awarding criteria Each proposal will be ranked by the STSM committee of the Action, and an evaluation score will be given considering the relevance to TREASURE, the quality of work plan, the applicant’s CV and the optimal budget’s plan. The selection will follow the COST policies on inclusiveness (gender, age, geography). The final ranking will be approved by the Action Chair and Grant Awarding Coordinator. Annex 1 Annex 2 More information
First Call for Hosting a Training School (TS)
First Call for Hosting a Training School (TS) First Call for Hosting a Training School of COST Action Maternal Perinatal Stress and Adverse Outcomes in the Offspring: Maximising infants’ development (TREASURE) Applications for hosting a Training School will be open from March 10 to April 1, 2025. The selected Training School must take place between May 1–September 15, 2025. 1. TS and TREASURE Applications for hosting a Training School will be open from March 10 to April 1, 2025. The selected Training School must take place between May 1 September 15, 2025. TREASURE is a four-year COST ACTION that started on 09/11/2023. The main goal is to address the effect of maternal stress on infant health in the short and long term. The activities in TREASURE are structured in six Working Groups (WGs). Details on the content and goals of each WG are available in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) a www.cost.eu/actions/CA22114 2. Application When organizing Training Schools, the following conditions shall be respected: a. The Training School shall have COST Action scientific and networking objectives as its main focus. The COST Action also must be one of the primary organizers of the Training School. For co-organized Training Schools, the same conditions should be fulfilled for co-organized events (see Co location and Co-organization of Action events, p. 78 Ann. rules). b. The Training School program shall incorporate theoretical and practical components. c. The COST Action should be clearly promoted on all dissemination channels, namely the official website of the COST Action and event, brochures, and all training material. d. The Training School is recommended to last a minimum of 3 days. e. A ratio of at least 3 Trainees to 1 Trainer is recommended. Trainer, Trainee, and Local Organizer(s) must be COST members. Training Schools should be delivered in presence. However, the host institution may allocate a limited number of seats for virtual participation, subject to approval by the Action MC. TREASURE COST Action has an available budget for supporting the TS (i.e., travel and daily allowance costs of trainers and trainees). IMPORTANT. The present TS must be delivered by September 15, 2025. 3. Application instructions COST members who are interested in applying to host the TS must send a letter mentioning the location and explaining the proposed topic of the TS, how it aligns with TREASURE’s aims, the program draft, and the proposed dates, trainers and number of trainees to Dr. Nicola Carone (Training School and Workshop Coordinator; nicola.carone@uniroma2.it) and Dr. Rafael A. Caparros-Gonzalez (Action Chair; rcg477@ugr.es). The application deadline is April 1, 2025. Applications will be forwarded to the Training School Committee, who will evaluate all submitted applications in the context of their compatibility and relevance with the Action topic. Applicants will be informed of the Training School Committee’s decision by one month form the closure date of the call. If necessary, adjustments to the program and trainers will be made in coordination with the Committee. For any other aspect not explicitly mentioned here about Training Schools, please refer to ANNOTATED RULES FOR COST ACTIONS (p. 75). 4. Evaluation criteria Each proposal will be rated by the Training School Committee of the Action, and an evaluation score will be assigned based on its relevance to TREASURE, the feasibility of the proposed TS (e.g., dates, duration), and scientific profiles of proposed Trainers and sustainability of the proposed location in relation to TREASURE COST Action focus (see Annex 1). The selection will follow the COST policies on inclusiveness (gender, age, geography), as indicated in the “ANNOTATED RULES FOR COST ACTIONS document. The Action Chair and the Grant Awarding Coordinator will approve the final ranking. Application Form (Annex 1) More information
ECSS-ACSM We
We are pleased to share that TREASURE Chair, Rafael A. Caparros-Gonzalez, recently participated in a webinar alongside other experts to discuss multidisciplinary research on the effects of various exercise programs on maternal and child health. The session also focused on identifying research gaps and necessary actions for the global and innovative promotion of physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum. This important discussion highlights the need for continued research and collaborative efforts to improve maternal and perinatal well-being. More information
First Issue – TREASURE NEWSLETTER
First Issue – TREASURE NEWSLETTER We are proud to present the first edition of the TREASURE Newsletter. In this issue, we have highlighted the dedication and hard work of our team in advancing research on maternal prenatal stress and its impact on offspring. Our goal is to make complex scientific findings more accessible and engaging—not only to keep researchers involved in the project up to date but also to reach the general public and key stakeholders. We hope you enjoy reading it! Access to Newsletter
Core Group Meeting and Working Group Meeting III – Madrid (Spain)
Core Group Meeting and Working Group Meeting – Madrid (Spain) Type Hybrid Dates 17/03/2025 – 18/03/2025 Location Complutense University – Madrid Welcome Message Dear colleagues, It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to our meeting for the COST ActionTREASURE. This is an important event for us, as it brings together experts and professionals from all over Europe to discuss the progress and challenges in our ambitious project. The meeting will be held at the Faculty of Medicine (Universidad Complutense de Madrid) on March, from 17 to 18th. Over these days, we will have the opportunity to network with our peers, learn from each other, and share our ideas. We have a packed agenda, with a variety of sessions and subgroup meetings that will cover the tasks included within our COST initiative. I am confident that the meeting will be a success, and that we will all leave here with new knowledge and insights. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to network with your colleagues and make the most of your time here.Thank you for your participation, and I look forward to a productive and enjoyable congress. Sincerely, Alejandro de la Torre-Luque, PhDEPISAM research team.Department of Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology.Universidad Complutense de Madrid.CIBERSAM ISCIII, Spain. Agenda
Maternal Perinatal Stress and Impact in the Offspring: Introducing EU COST Action TREASURE
Maternal Perinatal Stress and Impact in the Offspring: Introducing EU COST Action TREASURE The TREASURE research team recently participated in the SRIP Conference, a key event dedicated to the psychological and behavioral aspects of human reproduction. This multidisciplinary forum brought together experts from fields such as psychology, midwifery, obstetrics, pediatrics, psychiatry, and social sciences to discuss the latest advancements in reproductive health. At the conference, we had the opportunity to present our project TREASURE with an oral communication titled Maternal Perinatal Stress and Impact in the Offspring: Introducing EU COST Action TREASURE. Our presentation highlighted the project’s commitment to understanding how maternal stress during pregnancy can impact both the mother and child, as well as the broader implications for healthcare and early intervention strategies. TREASURE aims to improve perinatal mental health and promote healthy child development by fostering collaboration among researchers and clinicians across Europe. Being part of SRIP allowed us to engage with leading experts, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights that will help shape the future of perinatal mental health research. We are excited to build on this momentum and integrate the knowledge gained from the conference into our ongoing work. The authors of this oral presentation were: Rafael A. Caparros-Gonzalez, Susan Garthus-Niegel, Susan Ayers, Elif Aysimi Duman, Neville Calleja, Jean Calleja Agius, Andri Christoforou, Pelin Dikmen Yildiz, Sandra Garcia-Pintor, Antje Horsch, Sarah Kittel-Schneider, Ester Leno-Duran, Fiona Lynn, Mirjam Oosterman, Lucija Prepušt, Maria Fe Rodriguez-Muñoz, Anna-Lena Zietlow, Maja Žutić. Access the publication
COST Webinar – How to submit research to Open Research Europe
COST Webinar – How to submit research to Open Research Europe Type Online Dates 04/03/2025 Schedule 12.30 CET ORE offers an innovative and transparent open science publishing model which allows researchers to publish a broader range of research outputs than traditional journals. It accepts articles in all fields of science including the natural sciences, engineering and technology, medical and health sciences, agricultural and veterinary sciences, social sciences, humanities and the arts and showcases a variety of article types ranging from research articles to methods and essays. More information Register to participate Open Research Europe
Words Matter
Below are some valuable resources to help you maintain inclusive language in your scientific communications, social media, and other channels. You’ll find two guides developed by the European Institute for Gender Equality, along with a practical guide from COST that offers effective strategies for inclusive language. EIGE Writting Guide Supporting Gender Equality Through Language and Communication Gender Equality Plan for COST Activities
