In order to reach its objectives, the Action is organized into a range of bodies and instruments.

The coordination and organization of the Action is overseen by the Management Committee (MC) of the Action. This consists of up to two delegates (or Management Committee Members) per party, i.e. country that participates in the Action. (For its present composition, please consult the COST Homepage). The Management Committee meets twice a year.

A Steering Group that consists of the Chair, the Vice-Chair, and the Working Group Leaders, facilitates the organization of the Management Committee Meetings and oversees the implementation of its decisions.

Whilst the Management Committee is entrusted with the administration of this Action, the actual scientific work is done by three Working Groups which form the ‘think tanks’ of the Action. Working Group Meetings take place twice a year.

Besides Management Committee Meetings and Working Group Meetings, the Action organizes Conferences and Workshops which are meant to facilitate exchange across the Working Groups, and to enable fresh new input.

Another important instrument are Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs), that is short stays of researchers at hosting institutions. These are targeted in particular on Early Stage Researchers, and they are meant to facilitate the exchange of ideas, the writing of joint publications, and of joint research applications.

Moreover, an Editorial Board oversees the publications that result from the Action. A Policy Task Force ensures that it is able to speak to policy makers in a meaningful way, and a Project Task Force is entrusted with the elaboration of joint research applications.