COSMOS4HEplus proposal is the successor of COSMOS4HE and previous projects of Space NCP network. The consortium consists of NCP organisations from 15 countries balancing geographical coverage as well as diversity in level of expertise. The overall aim of COSMOS4HEplus is to support the professionalisation of the services rendered by the National Contact Points in Cluster 4 thematic area of Space in Horizon Europe and provide additional services targeting Space clients and applicants at EU level and beyond. The activities are structured according to the propoCOSMOS4HEplus proposal is the successor of COSMOS4HE and previous projects of Space NCP network. The consortium consists of NCP organisations from 15 countries balancing geographical coverage as well as diversity in level of expertise. The overall aim of COSMOS4HEplus is to support the professionalisation of the services rendered by the National Contact Points in Cluster 4 thematic area of Space in Horizon Europe and provide additional services targeting Space clients and applicants at EU level and beyond. The activities are structured according to the proposal’s specific objectives: 1) to increase the quality and support harmonisation of Space NCPs services, 2) to lower the entry barriers for newcomer applicants, to attract new types of players and applicants from widening countries, as well as to raise the quality of submitted proposals, 3) to increase the visibility of the thematic area of Space to new types of players by organizing matchmaking activities and ensuring bilateral communication about the crosscutting issues throughout Horizon Europe for the benefit of the European R&I community. The consortium will closely cooperate with the two other Cluster 4 NCP networks in thematic areas Digital and Industry developing synergies. Collaboration will be also sought with other NCP networks, EEN and space stakeholders aiming at maximising outreach and impact. Special focus will be put on broadening participation.

National Contact Points (NCPs) for Space provide support on Space funding under EU Framework programmes. In 2007 under FP7 the EU started funding an NCP Space network which was named COSMOS. This enabled the NCPs to benefit from each other’s experience and thus raise the level of the overall quality of their services. Additional services were established like a joint website and news service providing information about Space and EU Framework Programme related topics. Furthermore they organised international information days in support of the European Commission with emphasis on bringing potential project partners together. Last but not least they implemented a country independent helpdesk for EU framework Space research related questions. While the project partners are core of the network the full group comprises the other Space NCPs from EU member states and Associated Countries as well as Space contact points in international partner countries, mainly from Space faring nations. Within COSMOS2020 the network activities are continued under Horizon 2020. Capacity building, information services, project partner search support and more activities will once again reinforce the cooperation of the NCPs and raise the overall quality level of services. This is even more important since their role as only official support entity was decided for Horizon 2020.

COSMOS2020plus is the next funding phase of the Space NCP network after COSMOS2020. For participants of Horizon 2020 Space the project will allow to continue organising information days, providing a newsletter service and a website. To improve the performance of single Space NCPs exchange means and trainings will be performed. Through this the overall performance of NCP services should be improved.