According to COST's official terminology, these Missions (Inter-laboratory Exchange Visits) aim at strengthening the existing COST Actions by allowing scientists to go to an institution or laboratory in another COST country to foster collaboration, to learn a new technique or to take measurements using instruments and/or methods not available in their own institution/laboratory. They are particularly intended for Early Stage Researchers.

   Each year, ME-HaD COST Action has funding for 10 STSMs with a total budget of max. €2,500 for each STSMs. The duration of each Mission should be between one week (5 working days) and  3 months as a maximum. Recommended financial support is a daily allowance of €60–90 and travel costs of €300. The exception is Early Stage Researchers (ESR: PhD + < 8 years) allowing an STSM of up to 6 months.

   STSM application is managed by the COST Office. You can apply using the e-cost system: https://e-services.cost.eu/stsm. These applications will then be evaluated by the appropriate committee of the Action. You can encourage applicants to visit your institution or laboratory, or find a host, by posting your interests here.

   Documents to be provided to STSM panel: 

1. CV including list of publications of last 5 years 
2. Motivation letter (max. 1 page) 
3. Project outline (max. 1 page) 
4. Experimental work plan  (max. 1 page) 
5. Letter of confirmation and recommendation of host laboratory

   For more details, please take a look at this presentation made by Marie Stampe Ostenfeld for the Budapest meeting.