COST is an intergovernmental framework for European Co-operation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research, allowing the co-ordination of nationally funded research on a European level. COST Actions cover basic and pre-competitive research as well as activities of public utility.

COST actions can endorse research projects by stating the scientific excellence and the international relevance. No research activity is directly funded by the COST programme, whose funding is restricted to coordination activities (management committee meetings, expert meetings, travel, etc.)