TREASURE Podcast We are delighted to announce the launch of the TREASURE Podcast — a new space designed to bring our project closer to everyone interested in perinatal mental health and child wellbeing. In this very first episode, we invite you to discover what TREASURE is all about — an international networking project that seeks to understand how maternal perinatal stress can influence offspring development, with the aim of maximising child health. Through conversations with researchers, healthcare professionals, and members of our network, this podcast will open a window into the insights, experiences, and advances emerging from the TREASURE Action. Listen to Episode 1 Now
Gender Equality and Inclusive Communication Plan
Gender Equality and Inclusive Communication Plan Gender Equality and Inclusive Communication Plan COST Action CA22114 – Maternal Perinatal Stress and Adverse Outcomes in the Offspring: Maximising infants’ development (TREASURE) VERSIONS AND HISTORY OF CHANGES This document is based upon work from COST Action CA22114 (TREASURE) Maternal Perinatal Stress and Adverse Outcomes in the Offspring: Maximising Infants’ Development, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding organisation for research and innovation networks: www.cost.eu. 1. COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy Analysis The COST Action TREASURE (CA22114) comprises 460 members from 38 Full COST Countries. Gender distribution is currently 81% women and 19% men, which reflects the gender distribution typically observed in the field of peripartum mental health. Mandatory leadership roles are held by women in 90% of the cases, significantly surpassing the COST indicatory target of 50%. Participation from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs) is strong (44%), with 43% of all members being young researchers. In terms of ITC inclusiveness, TREASURE includes members from 23 ITC countries and 15 non-ITC countries, thereby exceeding the minimum requirement of 12 participants from ITCs. However, only 10% of young researchers and 1 ITC-based researcher currently hold mandatory leadership roles. Nevertheless, it is important to highlight that many ITC-based and young researchers hold significant leadership roles within TREASURE that are not classified as mandatory leadership positions (e.g., Gender Balance and Young Researchers Coordinator, Working Group co-leaders, subgroup leaders, etc.). 2. Objectives and Priorities – Increase gender equality, i.e., actively recruit participants of underrepresented gender for WG participation, leadership roles, and activities – Promote young and ITC-based researchers into leadership roles – Explore mechanisms for equitable access to leadership roles, in alignment with COST policies and Core Group decisions Additional initiatives – language inclusivity: The COST Action TREASURE is committed to the use of inclusive language in scientific and non-scientific communication, including presentations, publications, website, social media, and other. Achieved – Our Gender Balance and Young Researchers Coordinator, Maja Žutić, gave a well-received presentation to the Core Group (March 17, 2025) on gender balance and adopting inclusive language in both academic and public communication – The Action provided extensive resources for inclusive language on its website: https://www.treasurecost.eu/2025/02/05/cost-webinar-how-to-submit-research-to-open-research-europe-2/ 3. Plans and Actions a) Gender balance – Monitor and report gender balance among speakers (e.g., training school trainers), participants of project activities (e.g., training school trainees, STSM participants), and other activities – Encourage gender-balanced representation such as by trying to invite a balanced representation of genders in key events and activities (e.g., training schools) and positions (WG members, leadership roles) – Celebrate key awareness days on social media b) Inclusive Language and Communication – Systematically apply inclusive language in all communication (scientific and non-scientific e.g., social media, website) – Circulate information to Action participants about inclusive language resources provided on the website – Create guidelines for inclusive language (in collaboration with WG6, create a document regarding the use of inclusive language and disseminate it to Action participants) – Provide training (e.g., hold a workshop/webinar on gender equality and inclusive language to Action participants) – Offer resources (e.g., disseminate relevant materials to Action participants) – If available, participate in the COST Academy events on gender equality and inclusive language – Provide new information and materials on inclusiveness and equality on the official Action website: https://www.treasurecost.eu/2025/02/05/cost-webinar-how-to-submit-research-to-open-research-europe-2/ – Promote using inclusive language in calls and templates – Promote inclusivity in photos and videos on social media and website posts: showing people in all their diversity engaging in a variety of different roles, using colour schemes that avoid gender stereotypes and are visible to people with colour blindness, showing a range of ages, backgrounds, races, and ethnicities to reflect the fullness of society. c) Monitoring and Evaluation – Publish annual GEP reports and revise plans if needed – Track and analyse participation by gender, age, and ITC status d) Future general plans regarding balance and inclusiveness Regarding gender and geographical balance, COST TREASURE is actively working to increase the engagement of: researchers of the underrepresented gender (e. males), researchers from currently non-participating countries, younger and more ITC researchers to take on leadership roles (e.g., through informal networking opportunities, discussion groups, etc.). Celebrate key awareness days on social media, e.g.: International Day of Women and Girls in Science – 11.2. International Women’s day – 8.3. World Maternal Mental Health Day – the first Wednesday in May Mother’s Day –the second Sunday in May International Men’s Day – 19.11. World Mental Health Day – 10.10. International Father’s Day – the third Sunday of June. In line with our commitment to language equality, we plan to: Promote using inclusive language in all forms of communication (text, images, videos, papers, and social media), Organise and participate in webinars and workshops, and provide resources. These efforts support COST’s commitment to fostering an inclusive research environment that values equality, diversity, and excellence. 4. Timeline and Responsibilities Activity Timeline Responsible person/group Provide inclusive language and gender-balance training to Action participants (e.g., a webinar or a workshop) By February 2026 WG6, Gender-balance and Young Researchers Coordinator (Maja Žutić) Promote leadership opportunities for young and ITC-based researchers 2025-2026 Gender-balance and Young Researchers Coordinator (Maja Žutić), Action Chair, Core Group Annual GEP report Yearly Gender-balance and Young Researchers Coordinator (Maja Žutić), Action Chair Celebrate important milestone days on social media/website Throughout the year WG6, Gender-balance and Young Researchers Coordinator (Maja Žutić) Create a document regarding the use of inclusive language and disseminate it to all Action participants By the end of 2025 WG6, Gender-balance and Young Researchers Coordinator (Maja Žutić) PDF Edit Template
Workshop – Biomarkers of prenatal stress physiology.
Workshop – Biomarkers of prenatal stress physiology Type Online Dates 17/07/2025 Schedule 15.00h – 17.00h CET Description: The workshop will focus on the common biomarkers related to prenatal stress physiology, such as markers of stress and immune systems. Fundamentals of sample collection and analysis associated with these biomarkers will be discussed together with theoretical and methodological considerations during sample collection, biological and statistical analysis. Assoc. Prof. Elif Aysimi Duman Acıbadem Üniversitesi If you are interested in attending this workshop, please fill in the following contact form: IMPORTANT: You must join in our COST Action to receive an official invitation for the Workshop. Apply here to join your Working Groups of interest. Your name Your surname Affiliation Your email Reason why you wish to attend this workshop I have read and I accept the privacy policy I give my permission for the organization to send me information about this event by email   All the information will be treated with confidentiality. Do not make any travel arrangements until you receive the official invitation from COST in order to attend this meeting. Δ
1st Training School – “Infant socio-emotional development: Underlying pathways, assessment tools and cultural challenges”
Infant socio-emotional development: Underlying pathways, assessment tools and cultural challenges 16-18 July 2025 (in-person attendance only) Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic Important Dates Opening date for application 2 June 2025 Deadline for applications 8 June 2025You will be informed of the outcome of the application shortly after, in any case 16 June 2025 What are Training Schools? Since COST’s priority is enhancing research collaboration where ideas and people can grow without borders, Training Schools aim to facilitate capacity building on a topic relevant to the respective COST Action theme through intensive training on a new emerging subject. Training Schools Grants support intensive training on a new or emerging subject for PhD students and Early Career Researchers (ECRs) from participating Inclusiveness Target Countries’ (ITC)[1]. Training Schools aim to facilitatecapacity building on a topic relevant to the respective COST Action theme through intensive training on a new or emerging subject. Participants will be expected to attend and participate in the Training School during the three days. They will be given the opportunity to present and discuss their work and network with other ECRs, the Training School trainers,mentors, and the members of the TREASURE COST Action. Training Schools serve to help the Action achieve their MoU Objectives and deliver impact with regard to: Capacity Building: Allowing COST Actions to train researchers and innovators in highly specialized topics essential for the Action. They are the tool for transferring know-how among all types of actors and building interdisciplinary expertise. Research Coordination: Training Schools can also be used for reaching specific results (e.g., data collection or analysis, training on methodologies developed by the Action) in support of the objectives of the COST Action. Training Schools benefit to: Trainers: Networking with colleagues and the next generation of researchers working in the same area. Setting the “standard” and/or shaping new and emerging areas of knowledge. Developing and improving their own teaching materials. Trainees: Meeting and networking with peers and leaders of the area, and building the next generation of researchers. Getting critical knowledge and skills to deepen their own research. Creating potential for career opportunities. How to participate Training Schools Grants are open to all participants. Still, priority will be given to PhD students and early career researchers with a primary affiliation in an institution located in an ITC. Clinicians are also welcome. Send an application with a letter of motivation explaining how this training will benefit your research project and your scientific career (maximum 3,500 characters with spaces) as well as your CV to nicola.carone@uniroma2.it and rcg477@ugr.es by 8 June 2025. Applications will be forwarded to the Training School Committee, which will evaluate all submitted applications in the context of their compatibility and relevance with the Action topic. Evaluation Criteria Trainers: Elif Aysimi Duman, Acibadem University, Turkey Lea Takács, Charles University, Prague, Czechia Raquel Costa, Lusófona University, Porto, Portugal Tiago Miguel Pinto, Lusófona University, Porto, Portugal Organizing Committee: Elif Aysimi Duman, Acibadem University, Turkey Lea Takács, Charles University, Prague, Czechia Raquel Costa, Lusófona University, Porto, Portugal Tiago Miguel Pinto, Lusófona University, Porto, Portugal Trainers: Elif Aysimi Duman, Acibadem University, Turkey Lea Takács, Charles University, Prague, Czechia Raquel Costa, Lusófona University, Porto, Portugal Tiago Miguel Pinto, Lusófona University, Porto, Portugal Programme 16th July 17th July 18th July Location
Second Call for Virtual Mobility Grant
Second Call for Virtual Mobility (VM) Grant Second Call for a Virtual Mobility Grant (VM) 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 May until the 11th of June 2025 for a virtual mobility (VM) grant ending before 1st October 2025. 1. VM AND TREASURE This is the second call for VM funded by Cost Action CA22114. VM enables collaboration in an online setting among researchers within the COST Action, facilitating knowledge exchange, supporting the harmonisation and standardisation of methods and procedures, enhancing data analysis and data management of the Action, and fostering skills development in areas of interest for the TREASURE COST Action. 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. APPLICATION TREASURE offers two VM grants. The grant contributes to the overall effort of the grantee but does not necessarily cover all expenses related to undertaking the VM activity. The maximum amount per Grant is 1,000 EUR. The VM Grant Applicant(s) are Action participants, i.e., Management Committee members, Management Committee Observers, Working Group members, ad-hoc contributors to a COST Action, with a primary affiliation to a legal entity located in a COST Full or Cooperating Member country, a COST Near Neighbour country or a European RTD Organisation. VM Grant Applicants shall be enrolled in an official research programme as a PhD student or postdoctoral fellow or employed by or affiliated with an institution, organisation or legal entity that has a clear association with performing research. IMPORTANT. VM Grants must be completed by October 1th, 2025. 3. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Applications for VM are managed through the e-COST management tool. The applicants will complete the information on the website and upload the following documents: To be filled in e-COST: Title of the VM Grant Start and end date Budget requested by the applicant To be uploaded to e-COST: 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, plan for participation, expected outcomes and how it contributes to the Action objectives. Template available on e-COST and Annex II. CV, including a list of academic publications if applicable. Contribution to the COST Action Strategy: How will the VM contribute to the COST Excellence with a focus on data analysis and data management. 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 Grant Awarding Committee of the Action, and an evaluation score will be assigned based on its relevance to TREASURE, with a focus on secondary data analysis, which is currenty a priority for the Treasure Cost Action. The quality of the work plan, and the applicant’s CV will also be evaluated (annex I). The selection will follow the COST policies on inclusiveness: Geographical spread, applicants from ITC countries will receive 10 points (annex I). ITC counties: https://www.cost.eu/about/strategy/excellence-and-inclusiveness/. Career stage: young researchers will receive 10 points (annex I). Gender balance (if there is a tie in the selection process, we will prioritise gender balance). The final ranking will be approved by the Action Chair and the Grant Awarding Coordinator. 5. REPORTING AND CLAIM FOR PAYMENT OF THE GRANT After the VM activity concludes, the Grantee must submit the requiered reports and relevant documentation in e-COST within 30 days of the activity’s end date. Payment is claimed by submitting the report through e-COST. It is noted that if the applicant does not submit the required report on time, the grant is cancelled. The required report / documentation for claiming a VM Grant is: Report to the Action on the work developed, main outcomes and achieved outputs of the VM (including any specific MoU deliverables, or publications resulting from the VM), and description of future follow-up collaborations. GRANT AWARDING CRITERIA VM
First Call for ITC Conference
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. 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. GRANT AWARDING CRITERIA
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
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
