The latest COST Association Customer Satisfaction Survey confirms that COST continues to play a key role in European research, maintaining high levels of trust and satisfaction among its stakeholders.
With a response rate of 28%, the survey gathered valuable insights from over 11,000 researchers involved in COST Actions, representing research communities from across Europe and beyond.
95% of respondents acknowledged COST’s positive reputation among researchers and innovators, highlighting the significant level of confidence and enthusiasm that COST evokes within the scientific community.
Key takeouts
The COST Programme’s role in supporting research careers and collaboration is widely recognised. 89% of respondents agree that it plays an essential role in spreading scientific and technological knowledge, and 86% say that it helps to enhance the careers of young researchers. Furthermore, 84% of respondents confirmed that the programme enables breakthrough developments through interdisciplinary networks.
Perceptions of the COST Submission, Evaluation, Selection and Approval (SESA) process have improved since 2023. 75% of respondents now find the evaluation criteria clear, an increase of 8 points. 68% consider the procedure transparent, an increase of 10 points. Furthermore, 84% say the submission process is straightforward. COST support services also continue to have strong acclaim, with high satisfaction reported for Action support, Management Committee guidance and the IT Helpdesk. Looking towards the perceived impact of COST Actions, most of the respondents state that the networks advance common research, foster collaboration, and create common standards and infrastructure, as well as influence policy.
While the overall user experience of the e-COST platform remains positive, with 81% satisfaction, there is room for improvement in terms of optimising its speed and stability. Users would also welcome a simplification of the COST rules application, as well as improved responsiveness from staff to complex issues.
In a new question added to the 2025 survey, almost nine in ten Management Committee chairs (86%) reported feeling appropriately supported by COST in performing their role, with 50% feeling fully supported.
Dr Ronald de Bruin, Director of the COST Association, commented:
“The 2025 survey shows that COST continues to make a real difference to the lives and careers of researchers across Europe. I am particularly proud of the trust placed in us, but we will not rest on our laurels. In response to this feedback, we will refine our tools further, strengthen our support services and continue to simplify the application of COST rules. Our mission at COST is to empower researchers and innovators, and we remain fully committed to that goal.”
Every two years, the COST Association commissions a Customer Satisfaction Survey, aiming at understanding the perspective of the broad research community involved in COST Actions on the COST framework and the services and support provided by COST.
The 2025 COST Association Customer Satisfaction Survey was carried out by Ipsos Belgium.
“This input enables the COST Programme to respond to the needs and expectations of our community”, commented Elwin Reimink, COST Data and Impact Analysis Adviser. “The findings will guide future improvements and ensure that COST continues to support excellence in science and research collaboration”.
Additional information
Read the Full Report
Read more about the COST Open Call and SESA