The European Union Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) programme provides funds to coordinate nationally-funded research on a European level, with a view to building a European Research Area and increasing the mobility of researchers across Europe. COST action TD1102 – PHOTOTECH – began in November 2011 and will run until November 2015. Activities carried out include Short Term Scientific Missions, Training Schools, and an Annual Conference that includes meetings of the Management Committee and the four Working Groups.

Short Term Scientific Missions enable young scientists from one COST country to visit a laboratory in another COST country to foster collaboration, to learn a new technique or to make measurements that cannot be made in their own laboratory. Funding is available to support a number of missions per year of between one week and three months to progress the aims of the PHOTOTECH action. More details on this activity can be found here.

Training Schools are also aimed at young researchers, the purposes being to widen knowledge of the Action activities, provide intensive training on a new and emerging subject and offer familiarisation with unique equipment or expertise in one of the laboratories of the Action. The duration is between three days and two weeks, and the next training school will take place in Athens, Greece, between 21st and 25th October 2013.  For details and deadlines see here: http://www.phototech.eu/?page_id=70.

Annual Conferences are aimed at increasing networking between laboratories and countries participating in the PHOTOTECH action. These conferences incorporate meetings of the Management Committee and the four Working Groups. More details on this activity can be found here.

Annual Conferences are aimed at increasing networking between laboratories and countries participating in the PHOTOTECH action.  These conferences incorporate meetings of the Management Committee and the four Working Groups.  More details on this activity can be found here.