Welcome to TransPan

Dear TRANSPANers,
We are pleased the announce that applications are open for the next COST workshop for early-stage researchers, Modelling treatment response in PDAC, which will be held in Madrid, Spain, Friday 30th May 2025 organized by Julie Earl and Bruno Sainz.

The workshop will include 12 early stage researchers with the support of 3-4 mentors.
This is a 1-day workshop with theoretical and practical training on different tumor models used to determine response to therapy in PDAC. There will be a brief introduction to different types of primary tumor modelling, with a discussion of ethical implications of the use of human samples and animal models in translational research.

The theoretical training will be complemented with 2 practical sessions where the early-stage researchers will design and defend a translational project to determine PDAC response to therapy and also constructively critique experimental design and execution of other projects with the same aim. This workshop aims to complement the participants’ current PhD or early postdoctoral training by offering a broader perspective on scientific research.

The goal is to help early researchers become more independent in their future careers and to appreciate how a scientific problem can be approached from multiple angles.

Please register via the link on or before the 16th of April 2025 including a brief CV and motivation letter of no more than 2 pages in PDF format.

We will inform applicants of their acceptance to the workshop by the 25th of April.

Best regards
Julie Earl and Bruno Sainz (workshop organizers)

Dear TRANSPANers,
one of the budget items of our COST action consists of grants to attend conferences. This year we allocated a total budget of 8000€ for Young Researcher and Innovator (YRI) conference grants. YRI conference grants fund presentations (poster/oral presentation) of their own work by a YRI in a high-level conference.
Please check all the details in the COST annotated rules (https://www.cost.eu/uploads/2025/02/COST-094-21-V2.0-Annotated-Rules-for-COST-Actions-Level-C.pdf, sections A2-1.2.3 and A2-2.3)

We will offer 10 YRI conference grants (up to 800€ each). Any international meeting is eligible (no national meetings), as long as the abstract is clearly related to pancreatic cancer and to the TRANSPAN aims.

Conditions for the attribution of the conference grants will be as follows:
- Applicants must be YRIs (i.e., researchers under the age of 40, according to COST definition);
- Applicants must be members of at least one WG of our COST action;
- Applicants must have their abstract already accepted by the conference.

Applications will be evaluated by the core group on these criteria:
- Applicant CV (maximum 2 pages, longer CVs will be rejected straight away; please upload it to eCOST with your application) + motivation statement (to be included in the application form): up to 20 points;
- If the applicant is currently a student (MSc/PhD/MD): 5 extra points;
- If the applicant is currently a post-doc: 2.5 extra points;
- Applicant country of origin: 5 extra points for applicants affiliated with an institution in a COST Inclusiveness Target Country (ITC, see list here: https://www.cost.eu/about/strategy/excellence-and-inclusiveness/) or a COST Near Neighbour Country (NNC, see list here: https://www.cost.eu/about/strategy/international-collaboration/);
- We will also check that the budget request is reasonable (within a maximum of 800€).
In order to be as inclusive as possible, we will prioritize ensuring that as many countries and institutions as possible are represented.

Applications for the travel grants can be submitted on e-COST starting from now (https://e-services.cost.eu/activity/grants/add, https://www.cost.eu/YRICG-application-template).
The grants will be assigned on a continuous basis, i.e., first come first served.

STSM Opportunity at Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences (Slovakia)

Host PI: Bozena Smolkova

Department: Molecular Oncology

Project: DNA methylation analysis by pyrosequencing (DNA methylation quantification in circulating cfDNA)

Number of visitors that can be hosted simultaneously: 2

Accessibility period: February 1 – June 30, 2025

Duration: Minimum 7 days, Maximum 30 days

Living costs: Not specified

Description: This STSM provides an opportunity to work on DNA methylation analysis in circulating cfDNA, gaining experience in pyrosequencing techniques. Ideal for researchers interested in epigenetic modifications in cancer and other diseases.

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STSM Opportunity at University College London (UK)

Host PI: Professor Nguyen TK Thanh, MAE FRSC FInstP FAPS

Department: UCL Healthcare Biomagnetics and Nanomaterials Laboratory

Project: Diagnosis of cancer using small iron oxide nanoparticles for MRI contrast enhancement and targeted therapy

Number of visitors that can be hosted simultaneously: 4

Accessibility period: February 1 – September 30, 2025

Duration: Minimum 7 days, Maximum 30 days

Living costs: Approx. £120 per day for a hotel

Description: This STSM provides an opportunity to work with leading experts in nanomedicine, focusing on the use of iron oxide nanoparticles for cancer imaging and therapy. Ideal for researchers in chemistry, biochemistry, and biomedical sciences.

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STSM Opportunity at University of Bari "Aldo Moro" (Italy)

Host PI: Mauro Cives

Department: Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine

Project: Two available projects focused on (1) translational research in neuroendocrine tumors and (2) clinical genomics and molecular oncology

Number of visitors that can be hosted simultaneously: 2

Accessibility period: March 1 – September 30, 2025

Duration: Minimum 60 days, Maximum 180 days

Living costs: Between €1,000 and €1,500 per month

Description: This STSM offers hands-on experience in translational and clinical genomic research, focusing on neuroendocrine tumors. Researchers will have the opportunity to work with patient-derived data and explore the molecular basis of these cancers.

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STSM Opportunity at University of Coimbra (Portugal)

Host PI: Joel Perdiz Arrais

Department: DEI/ CISUC

Project: AI-driven approaches for cancer diagnosis and precision medicine

Number of visitors that can be hosted simultaneously: 1

Accessibility period: March 1 – September 30, 2025

Duration: Minimum 6 days, Maximum 30 days

Living costs: Approx. €50 per day

Description: This STSM is ideal for researchers interested in AI applications in oncology. The project focuses on developing and implementing AI-driven tools for cancer diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies.

The COST Action CA21116 “Identification of biological markers for prevention and translational medicine in pancreatic cancer (TRANSPAN)” opens a call for applications for Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) to be developed under the scope of the referred Action, in the terms described in this document.

Download PDF

The main procedures/regulations concerning STSMs can be found here:
Annotated-Rules V2.0 (see A2-1.1 MOBILITY OF RESEARCHERS AND INNOVATORS)
COST Open Call – Proposers’ Guidelines

Contents

1. Scope of TRANSPAN COST Action
2. Purpose of STSMs
3. Eligibility criteria
4. Application deadlines
5. Funding
6. Application procedure
7. Intellectual Property Rights concerns
8. Selection committee
9. Evaluation criteria and communication of the results
10. STSM reporting and payment
11. STSM contacts
Links

1. Scope of TRANSPAN COST Action

For details and specific objectives, please read the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

2. Purpose of STSMs

STSMs are stays of a researcher or innovator to a host organization located in a different country than the country of affiliation (for Affiliation, see Article 4.1.1.1.1 on Annotated Rules for COST Actions document) for a specific work and for a determined period.
An STSM should specifically contribute to the scientific objectives of the COST Action, helping to achieve the Action MoU objectives and deliverables.

3. Eligibility criteria

a. The Grant applicant(s) are Action participants 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 Research and Innovation Organization (see Article 4.1.1.1.1 on Annotated Rules for COST Actions).

b. The Grant applicant is a researcher or innovator who visits a host organization located in a different country than the country of affiliation for a specific work and for a determined period of time.

c. The STSM must have a minimum duration of 5 calendar days (including travel) and end by June 30th, 2025.

d. The COST Association and the Grant Holder of the Action cannot be considered as being an STSM grantee’s employer, i.e., the STSM Grant cannot be considered as a salary.

4. Application deadlines

Application Deadlines Applications will be evaluated continuously as they are received. A second call may be issued mid-year, depending on the availability of remaining funds.

Only applications submitted correctly and at least three weeks before the start of the STSM will be evaluated.

To ensure the optimal use of resources allocated to STSMs, priority will be given to applications for missions starting by 30 June 2025. A second call will open in spring 2025 for missions scheduled between June and September 2025.

5. Funding

In compliance with the Annotated rules the maximum amount that can be reimbursed is 4,000€. However, under this call the maximum amount that may be granted to each applicant will be evaluated before approval by the TRANSPAN Core Group. If the requested budget is not approved, the proponent may be asked to submit a new application with a reduced budget.
An STSM Grant is a lump financial contribution. Please note that STSM Grants do not necessarily cover all expenses related to undertaking a given mission, being only a contribution to the overall travel, accommodation and meal expenses of the Grantee.

The TRANSPAN Core Group recommends using the following guideline to estimate if your budget request falls within an acceptable range:

- Multiply the number of days of the STSM by 50% of the COST daily allowance of the country you where your host lab is located. COST daily allowances are found here: https://www.cost.eu/uploads/2024/11/2024-Daily-allowance-table.pdf;

- Add 500€ for travel;

- Round up to the nearest hundred euros.

If the total exceeds 4000€, your budget request will be 4000€ (this is the maximum allowed by COST for STSMs).
This formula serves as a maximum budget calculation tool and is not binding; applicants may adjust allocations as needed, provided the total request does not exceed the calculated maximum. For example, travel expenses do not need to be capped at 500€. If properly justified, a higher expense is permissible.

STSM grantees should make their own arrangements for all provisions related to personal security, health, taxation, social security and pension matters.
The Grant Holder Institution pays grants after the completion of the activity and approval of all required report/documentation. However, STSMs grantees may request up to 50% pre-payment of the approved grant. This amount is subject to availability of funds and approval by the Grant Holder Institution. The request of pre-payment shall be submitted to the Grant

Awarding Coordinator (manuel.gentiluomo@unipi.it) and the Grant Holder Manager (mailto:a.nelson@dkfz.de).
To be considered concluded, an STSM will require, in addition to the mandatory documentation imposed by the COST rules (section A2-2.3), a letter signed by the host scientist to be sent within one week of the end date set for the grant.

6. Application procedure

The application procedure is legally bound to the Rules for COST Actions. Eligible STSM applicants must submit their STSM applications online by logging into e-COST (https://e-services.cost.eu) and go to “Grant applications” and click on “Apply for a grant”.

The applicant can select “Continue” on the “Short-Term Scientific Mission grant” section.

The application form will contain different sections, some are pre-filled by e-COST, such as Application name or Primary affiliation.
After completing the Grant application form by filling all above-mentioned sections, the applicant also needs to upload:

I. the Grant Application Template (you can find it here: https://www.cost.eu/STSM_GrantApplication).

II. Acceptance/Invitation letter from the host institution: it is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain a written agreement from the host institution stating that the applicant will perform the activities detailed in the STSM working plan on the agreed dates. The letter must be dated back not more than 3 months and must be signed by a permanent staff representative of the host institution (e.g., head of the research group, PI, director of the department, head of the institute/division etc.).

III. Candidate CV: a short (max. 2 pages) CV should be submitted, including academic publications.

In the Application template please briefly address the following points:

a. **Proposed contribution to the scientific objectives of the Action:** Projects not clearly aligned with TRANSPAN's objectives will be rejected outright.

b. Detail which techniques or equipment you plan to use, if applicable.

c. Underline the aspects of complementarity between expertise and instrumentation of the home and hosting institution/research groups.

d. Detail the steps you will take to achieve your proposed goals.

e. Provide an itemized justification of the requested budget.

Applicants are requested to present a working plan that is reasonably feasible and coherent with the time slot requested in the application.
After adding the supporting documents, the applicant can submit the grant application.

Non-compliance with the above listed points will result in exclusion from the proposal evaluation.

PROPOSALS THAT DO NOT CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE A DIRECT AND RELEVANT CONNECTION TO THE OBJECTIVES OF TRANSPAN WILL BE REJECTED WITHOUT APPEAL.

7. Intellectual Property Rights concerns

In case of potential intellectual property concern requested by the host and/or sending institutions, this must be mentioned in the application and managed by IP teams from host and/or sending institutions. In this case, the reviewers of the application may be requested to sign a confidential agreement.

8. Selection committee

The selection of applicants is based on the scientific scope of the STSM application, which must be coherent with the overall objectives of the Action. The STSM evaluation and selection will be carried out by TRANSPAN Core Group.

9. Evaluation criteria and communication of the results

The general criteria for the evaluation of STSM proposals are:

- Clarity of activity planning (working plan) and complementarity of resources between home and host institutions/research groups (resources are intended as: technical expertise, infrastructure, or instrumentation).

- Main expected results and their contribution to the progress towards the Action objectives and deliverables.

- Priority to applicants from inclusiveness target countries (ITCs).

- Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the applicant. In line with the vision of the TRANSPAN action, networking activities such as STSMs will primarily target young researchers and future scientists. Therefore, tenured-track researchers, principal investigators (PIs), professors, and established professionals will not be eligible for STSMs.

Applicants will receive a response within two weeks of submission.

The Grant Holder will inform each approved applicant by sending a Grant Letter generated from e-COST. The applicant must return this letter of acceptance with his/her signature.

10. STSM reporting and payment

Within 30 days from the end date of the STSM (or 15 days after the end of the Grant Period, whichever date comes first), the successful applicant must submit (A) the scientific report, (B) the dissemination materials and (C) the approval letter of the scientific report from the Host institution. These documents must be uploaded on e-COST to proceed with the request for payment.

A) Scientific reports on e-COST:

- A template for the report can be found in e-COST (https://www.cost.eu/STSM_Report) (max 4 pages).

When preparing the scientific report please consider the following:

- The scientific report for COST is a public document. Please take this into account in terms of Intellectual Property Rights.

- The scientific report does not need to contain specific and detailed results of the research. Rather, it should focus on the aspects that are the aim of STSM, in particular how the collaborative research during STSM has strengthened the scientific relationship between Home and Hosting institutions within the framework of COST.

A copy of the scientific report in PDF format must be sent, by email, to the Grant Awarding Coordinator.

The Grant Awarding Coordinator will be responsible for approving the scientific report and informing the Action Chair and the Grant Holder that the STSM has been successfully accomplished.
(Please note that the COST Association can request additional information to substantiate the information contained within the documents submitted by STSM applicants).

B) Dissemination materials to Science Communication Team (stfnbndc@gmail.com):

- A poster/short video/success story describing the subject of your collaborative STSM activities.

- A short advertising sentence summarizing your STSM experience that will be used for promotion of the above material.

- Your credentials in social media (if available) to tag you in the publication of your post.

Please remember to present home and host institutions and your passion for science. Use pictures showing you at work but also after-work. Do not sound too abstract, avoid scientific jargon, use short sentences. The material is to advertise TRANSPAN research, promote you, and will be shown in social media for a public audience.

The materials have to be sent directly to the Science Communication Manager.

C) Host approval of scientific report:

An official letter from the host scientist (affiliated with the host institution), formally confirming the acceptance of the scientific report and verifying the proper execution of the STSM according to the approved plan. Failure to submit the scientific report and dissemination materials and host approval of the report within the above specified timeframe will effectively cancel the Grant. The grantee shall be aware that the COST Association reserves the right to postpone or cancel all payments and to recover the amounts paid to the grantee in case the grantee does not fulfil their obligations.

All STSM grantees are required to give an oral presentation during the TRANSPAN general assembly or a webinar, where they must present the main points of their activity and/or the results they obtained during their STSM.

11. STSM contacts

Dr. Manuel Gentiluomo
CA21116 Grant Awarding Coordinator
Department of Biology
University of Pisa
manuel.gentiluomo@unipi.it

Links

Annotated Rules for COST Actions
(https://www.cost.eu/uploads/2024/11/COST-094-21-V2.0-Annotated-Rules-for-COST-Actions-Level-C.pdf)

Grant Awarding User Guide
(https://www.cost.eu/uploads/2021/12/Grant-Awarding-userguide.pdf)