On April 15, 2025, the Information Day of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) programme took place at the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA). The COST programme supports interdisciplinary research networks, known as COST Actions, which bring together researchers and innovators from diverse fields to collaborate on specific topics for up to four years.
The event was organised by the Scientific and Innovation Partnership Assistance Centre (SIPAC), in collaboration with the COST Association and the Foreign Relations Department of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. It was attended by members of the Presidium of NAS RA, representatives of the COST Association, beneficiaries of the programme, and members of Armenia’s scientific and educational institutions.
In his opening remarks, COST National Coordinator Mr. Tigran Arzumanyan emphasised that the aim of the Information Day was to present the key features of the COST programme, including participation procedures and funding opportunities. Participants were welcomed by Prof. Aram Papoyan, Vice-President of NAS RA, who highlighted the new networking and partnership opportunities that have become available to Armenian researchers since Armenia joined the COST Association in 2022.
Ms. Mariana Sargsyan, Head of the International Relations Department of the Higher Education and Science Committee of RA MESCS and Member of the COST Committee of Senior Officials, noted the crucial role that both the Horizon Europe and COST programmes play in the internationalisation of research. She underlined that these programmes offer Armenian researchers valuable opportunities to participate in high-quality research projects and to further develop their ideas through international dialogue and knowledge exchange.
The programme’s details were presented by Prof. Zoran Popovski, Vice-President of the COST Association, and Mr. Bart Veys, Head of the COST Policy Unit. They introduced the conditions for participation, the application process, and the added value and broader impact of taking part in COST Actions.
As part of the programme, Armenian participants in COST Actions shared their experiences through short testimonials. Presenters included Ms. Alla Aleksanyan, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Botany, NAS RA; Ms. Ani Paloyan, Senior Researcher at the Scientific and Production Centre “Armbiotechnology,” NAS RA; and Ms. Anna Hovhannisyan, PhD in Biology, Researcher and Founder of Genetic Forensic Center LLC.
The event brought together more than 100 participants from various Armenian organizations, who shared highly positive feedback on the session.
On April 15 and 16, the COST Association delegation held working meetings with Mr. Sargis Hayotsyan, Chairman of the Higher Education and Science Committee of RA MESCS; Mr. Aram Papoyan, Vice-President of NAS RA; Mr. Rafael Barkhudaryan, Vice-Rector of Yerevan State University; and Mr. Mher Torosyan, Deputy Director of Matenadaran. The discussions focused on ways to strengthen the participation of Armenian stakeholders in COST programmes and explore further opportunities for collaboration.
