COST - European Cooperation in Science and Technology
COST is an intergovernmental organization supporting the collaboration of nationally funded science and technology research through the creation of networks.
COST Actions are networks allowing scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers and thereby give impetus to their research, career and innovation.
Thus, COST does not fund research itself, but provides support for networking activities carried out within COST Actions
Researchers can also apply to join an existing COST Action or become involved in various COST Action activities.
More info:
http://www.cost.eu/about_cost/how_cost_works
Once joining a supported Cost Action, researchers may apply for being named member of a Management Committee of the financed action. National rules have to be followed. For researchers working for Italian universities and research centers the procedure is described at the Ministry of University and Research dedicated page:
https://candidaturecost.miur.it/
For UNIMORE staff have a look at COST factsheet
A list of all COST actions are available here