Call for Applications: ITC Conference Grant
For missions undertaken between January 2026 and October 2026
Written by Dr Carolin Gluchowski (carolin.gluchowski@uni-hamburg.de)
Last updated: 15 January 2026
Important Information
- Mission period: 10 January 2026 – 31 October 2026.
- Call closes: 4 February 2026 (or until the WBP-allocated budget is spent, whichever comes first).
- Notification of results: mid-February
- Maximum amount: 2.500 € (in-person) / 500 € (online)
About PRAYTICIPATE
PRAYTICIPATE (CA23143) investigates how people participated through prayer in the late medieval and early modern world (c. 1300–1800). We explore liturgical access and authority, devotional communities, ritual labour and care, embodied practices and vocal participation, and the material/spatial infrastructures of prayer across Europe and beyond.
What is an ITC Conference Grant?
The ITC Conference Grant supports scholars from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs) to attend and present their own work at a conference, build visibility, and establish new contacts for future collaboration within the scope of PRAYTICIPATE – Participation through prayer, c. 1300–1800.
Eligibility Rules
To apply for an ITC Conference Grant, all the following must be met (standard COST rules):
- You are a participant in COST Action CA23143 with an e-COST profile.
- You are based at a research institution in a legal entity within a COST Full/Cooperating Member, Near Neighbour Country (NNC), or European RTD.
- You are enrolled in a PhD programme, a postdoctoral fellow, or employed/affiliated with an organisation clearly engaged in research.
- Be affiliated with an institution in an Inclusiveness Target Country (ITC).
- Present an accepted oral contribution (paper/talk) clearly aligned with PRAYTICIPATE objectives.
- Submit a complete application in e-COST before the deadline and complete reporting after the event.
Financial Rules
- Maximum amounts:
- 2,500 € for face-to-face conferences
- 500 € for online conferences
- Eligible costs: conference fees, travel (incl. travel insurance), accommodation (incl. breakfast).
- Not eligible: salaries, equipment purchases, expenses unrelated to conference attendance.
- Note: COST Daily Allowance rates do not apply to these grants.
- The Grant Awarding Committee may approve less than requested depending on budget and value for money.
Evaluation & Awarding
Applications are evaluated by the Grant Awarding Coordinator and Core Group on behalf of the MC.
- Fit to PRAYTICIPATE objectives and WG tasks (consult the MoU).
- Scientific quality and feasibility of the work plan and expected outcomes.
- Applicant profile (skills/experience/CV; for PhD students, supervisor statement).
- Suitability of the host environment and complementarity.
- Budget suitability and value for money.
- COST policies: gender balance, and geographical inclusiveness.
Scoring (example, aligned with template):
Relevance to PRAYTICIPATE aims (max 20; min 15 required), Scientific quality (20), Applicant profile (15), Host environment (15), Budget suitability (15), Relevance to COST policies (15). An overall threshold of 75 is required to be eligible for funding.
| Relevance to PRAYTICIPATE aims and objectives: demonstrates understanding of PRAYTICIPATE; shows clear relevance to the Action’s MoU objectives and to the scientific objectives/tasks of at least one Working Group | 20 |
| Scientific quality of the presentation: feasibility, originality, achievability, and potential impact | 20 |
| Scientific quality of the applicant: skills and experience; academic CV; for PhD students, supervisor’s opinion | 15 |
| Impact of proposed conference: global reach & audience; networking potential; relevance to PRAYTICIPATE themes | 15 |
| Suitability of the requested budget: realistic, well-planned, cost-effectiveness | 15 |
| Relevance to COST policies: promotes gender balance, supports Young Researchers & Innovators, and broadens geographical inclusiveness (incl. ITCs) | 15 |
| Total | 100 |
- Notification within 20 working days. Resubmission may be invited with clarifications or a revised budget.
How to Apply (via e-COST)
- Create/update your e-COST profile and upload your CV and bank details: https://e-services.cost.eu/
- Go to COST Actions → Grant Applications or directly: https://e-services.cost.eu/activity/grants/add and search “CA23143”.
- Click Apply for a Grant → select ITC Conference Grant → fill in:
– Title (≤128 characters), start/end dates (within mission period), budget requested, host institution/contact.
– Save draft (do not submit yet). - Under Options → Upload documents, add:
- Acceptance letter from the organizers of the conference.
- CV (with publications, where relevant).
- For PhD students: supervisor’s letter on relevance and suitability.
- Application form (COST template)
- Budget plan (up to 2,500 €), e.g., Travel, Accommodation, Subsistence, Consumables/Other costs essential to your ITC Conference Grant.
- Submit in e-COST before the deadline.
For screenshots and a step-by-step guide, see the Grant Awarding User Guide in “Documents for running a COST Action.”
After Completing the ITC Conference Grant
Within 30 days of the end date, submit your Scientific Report in e-COST (template provided), detailing the work carried out, main achievements, and follow-up plans, and upload the acceptance letter from the organizers of the conference. Failure to submit the report within 30 days will cancel the grant. In addition, we kindly ask you to submit a 500 word blog post about your activity for our web side.
Questions
We’re happy to help as you prepare your application.
Contact: carolin.gluchowski@uni-hamburg.de
CC: youri.desplenter@ugent.be; a.dlabacova@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Acknowledgement
COST Action CA23143 – PRAYTICIPATE and its ITC Conference Grants are funded by COST – European Cooperation in Science and Technology. COST funds research and innovation networks that connect initiatives across Europe, helping researchers grow ideas through peer exchange—boosting research, careers, and innovation. www.cost.eu
