About Us

COSMOS4HEplus

The Network of National Contact Points (NCPs) for Space

A network of National Contact Points (NCPs) is the main structure to provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon Europe.

 

In 2007, under FP7, the EU started funding an NCP Space network which was named COSMOS. The acronym stands for Continuation of Cooperation Of Space NCPs as a Means to Optimise Services. The term COSMOS originates from the Greek language and means orderly system. This is what the NCPs want to achieve within the project.

 

The main target of the COSMOS project, from its beginning during FP7 to the current COSMOS4HEplus under Horizon Europe, is to allow NCPs to benefit from each other’s experience and thus raise the overall quality of their services. Navigating Horizon Europe’s complex funding landscape can be challenging, especially in the competitive Cluster 4 area of Space. The COSMOS4HE project improved the quality and harmonisation of services offered by national contact points (NCPs). In this context, the EU-funded COSMOS4HEplus will enhance support specifically for space-related applicants. Involving NCP organisations from 15 countries, it aims to lower entry barriers for new applicants, attract a broader range of participants, and improve proposal quality. The project will increase the visibility of the space sector through matchmaking events and strengthen communication across Horizon Europe. The consortium will also collaborate with cluster networks in digital and industry, as well as other NCP networks..

 

Runtime:       September 2025 – August 2028

Partner:         NCPs from 15 countries

Coordinator: FORTH/PRAXI Network – Greece

Our Services

1

we organise information events on upcoming space topics in Horizon Europe and other related programmes

2

we offer partnering sessions during our events and we guide you to relevant Partner Search Platforms

3

we provide a website with up-to-date information on relevant space topics, space-related news and events

4

we disseminate a newsletter helping you not to miss important events and development

5

we analyse evaluation results and the participation in Horizon Europe Space calls and provide free access to the results

6

we connect you with your National Contact Point for Space

For more information about the NCP network, contact the COSMOS4HEplus project coordinator:

Vaya Piteli
FORTH/PRAXI Network
cl4@praxinetwork.gr

Former Projects

COSMOS, COSMOS+, COSMOS2020, COSMOS2020plus, COSMOS4HE

COSMOS and COSMOS+ were the networks of National Contact Points for the Space theme under the EU’s 7th Framework Programme for Research & Innovation. The objective of the project was to build a strong supportive network for the benefit of our clients. The space National Contact Points (NCP) shared good practice and joined training courses to improve their skills.

 

Towards their clients they offered an email based news service with up-to-date information on Space and neighbouring topics. COSMOS+ supported project partner search and developing common concepts to raise awareness for Space in the EU programmes and on the Space NCPs. Overall, a more balanced high quality NCP service was targeted for the benefit of new as well as experienced FP7 applicants. Last but not least COSMOS+ aimed to harmonise services offered by the participating Space NCPs.

 

COSMOS2020 was the continuation of the COSMOS and COSMOS+ projects under Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research & Innovation. COSMOS2020plus is the further extension of COSMOS2020 for the period June 2019 – July 2020, and is the final extension within the Horizon 2020 Framework.

COSMOS

Runtime: 2008 – 2012
Partners:
NCPs from 35 countries
Coordinator: DLR (DE)

COSMOS+

Runtime: 2012 – 2014
Partners:
NCPs from 20 countries
Coordinator: DLR (DE)

COSMOS
2020

Runtime: 2015 – 2019
Partners:
NCPs from 23 countries
Coordinator: DLR (DE)

COSMOS
2020plus

Runtime: 2019 – 2021
Partners:
NCPs from 23 countries
Coordinator: DLR (DE)

COSMOS
4HE

Runtime: 2022 – 2025
Partners:
NCPs from 16 countries
Coordinator: FORTH/PRAXI (EL)