COST pursues the central goal of intensifying European networking of excellent minds in all areas of research and technology. Initiated by the European Commission in 1971, the transnational initiative has 36 member states (EU and EFTA countries plus Turkey, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and F.Y.R. Macedonia). COST Actions promote the exchange and sharing of technical skills, facilities, and financial resources. Scientists at DIfE also participate in COST networks with different topics in the field of nutrition research. The collaboration promotes the development of new joint project ideas at the European level and enables scientific findings and innovations to be disseminated more widely at the international level.