Project ORIGINS - General discription
The main objective of the COST action ORIGINS (TD 1308) is to address, using an interdisciplinary approach, three great questions about the origin, evolution and distribution of life:
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Where, when and how did life emerge and evolve on Earth? |
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What are the conditions under which life can exist? |
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Does life exist elsewhere in the Universe and, if it does, how can it be detected and identified? |
Today, for the first time it is possible to develop a robust scientific programme to explore these fundamental questions. This requires a transdisciplinary alliance drawing on:
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Biologists |
Planetologists |
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Astronomers |
Astrochemists |
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Geologists |
Paleontologists |
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Space scientists and engineers |
Chemists |
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Philosophers and historians of science |
Engineers |
Our action is divided into five themes, corresponding to the five Working Groups (WGs) set out in the “Action Structure”
The very important aspects of “training and education” and “dissemination and outreach” ( which are common to all WGs) will be lead by two teams:
To know more about these WG and teams view this link.
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CSO Approval date: 14/11/2013 |
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Action Chair: |
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Vice chair: |
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STSM Manager: |
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Web Manager: |
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Secretary: |
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Grant Holder Financial Representative: Mrs Annick Caperan Science Officer: |
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Administrative Officer: |
ORIGINS TD1308
A Trans-Domain Action supported by COST.
COST is supported by the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020
Involved countries
View the Interactive Map
of Member Countries
Participating Countries
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
COST International Partner Countries
Canada (UQAM), South Africa (Univ. of Johanesburgh), Russian Federation (Institute of Geology, Petrozavodsk), Australia (University of Sydney), United States of America (University of Hawai)
Specific Organisations
European Space Agency (ESA)
Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs)
Aiming at fostering collaboration, sharing new techniques, and infrastructure that may not be available in other participants' institutions or laboratories. STSMs are intended especially for young PhD researchers, but they are open to senior researchers as well. View the documents at this link.
It should be explicitely noted that Master students are not eligible for STSMs which are for PhD students and more experienced researchers.
The life-Origins COST Project
Life-ORIGINS (TD1308) is a Trans Domain European COST Action dedicated to the scientific investigation of the origins and evolution of life on Earth and habitability of other planets.
The Action has specifically excluded the search for intelligent extraterrestrial life in its portfolio. Creationist theorems are also outside the Action’s remit.
Individuals are not allowed to use the name of the Action, its logo or any corporate identity of COST TD1308 in any communication without prior approval of the Management Committee.
All publications referencing the support of the Action should be sent to the appropriate Working Group chair at the time of submission.