Perinatal Stress and Brain Function: Mechanisms, Measurement, and Translational Interventions 7-10 July 2026 (in-person attendance only) Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences University of Coimbra, Portugal Important Dates Opening date for application 8 April 2026 Deadline for applications 17 April 2026You will be informed of the outcome of the application shortly after, in any case 1 May 2026 Location 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 four 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. Please make sure to read the evaluation criteria beforehand and then complete the application form below. Evaluation Criteria Trainers Almudena Duque – Pontifical University of Salamanca. Ana Conde – RISE‑Health, Hospital da Luz Vila Real. Ana Ganho Ávila Costa -University of Coimbra – Local. Livio Provenzi – University of Pavia. Monica Sobral – University of Coimbra – Local. Vera Mateus – University of Coimbra – Local. Xue Guo – University Medical Center Göttingen.
Second Call for Hosting a Training School
Second Call for Hosting a Training School Second Call for Hosting a Training School 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 February 25 to March 11, 2026. The selected Training School must take place between May 20 – July 15, 2026. 1. TS AND TREASURE This is the second call for hosting a Training School (TS) funded by Cost Action CA22114. TS aims to facilitate capacity building on maternal perinatal stress and adverse outcomes in the offspring by allowing COST Actions to train researchers and innovators in such a highly specialized topic essential for the TREASURE COST Action. TS can also be used to achieve specific results (e.g., data collection or analysis, training on methodologies developed by the Action) in support of the objectives 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 https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA22114/ 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 When organizing Training Schools, the following conditions shall be respected: 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). The Training School program shall incorporate theoretical and practical components. 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. The Training School is recommended to last a minimum of 3 days. 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 July 15, 2026. 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 March 11, 2026. 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 two weeks from the closure date of the call (March 25). 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. Evaluation Criteria Training School Application Form
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
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
