Date: 17-19 September 2025
Venue: Agricultural University of Tirana (AUT) and Food Safety and Veterinary Institute (ISUV)
Acrylamide is a chemical compound that forms naturally during high-temperature cooking of flour-based foods such as bread, biscuits, and other baked goods. Its potential link to cancer has raised growing concern among food safety authorities worldwide.
This training school focuses on two core themes: risk mitigation strategies and regulatory approaches across countries. Participants will explore how food businesses can reduce acrylamide levels through process optimization, ingredient selection, and monitoring, while also gaining insight into the legal frameworks that support these efforts.
A key part of the programme will cover analytical methods used to determine acrylamide content in food, equipping participants with the tools to evaluate both compliance and risk.
Through expert-led lectures and real-world case studies, the course will examine how different European countries interpret and enforce acrylamide regulations, highlighting both best practices and practical challenges. Special attention will be given to the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the importance of harmonized standards in ensuring food safety and fair market conditions.
By bridging science, regulation, and practice, this training aims to give participants a clear understanding of how acrylamide risks are managed and communicated—ultimately contributing to a safer and more transparent food system across borders.
Local Organization Team
- Kapllan SULAJ
- Alketa SHEHAJ
- Fatjon HOXHA
- Elmira MEHMETI
- Erinda HAMETAJ
Who can apply as a trainee?
The training school is dedicated to young researchers, early career researchers, Ph.D students, innovators, food technologists, policymakers, and consumer organization.
Who can be reimbursed as a trainee?
- Any researcher or innovator affiliated with:
- a legal entity in a COST Full/Cooperating member
- a legal entity in a Near Neighbor Country (NNC);
- The trainee must be present in person.
- The applicant must have an e-COST profile.
- Eligibility for the Training School participation and a reimbursement scheme are described in the Annotated Rules for COST Actions (section 6.4).
What is a capacity of the CA 21149 Training School?
The number of expected trainees in person: 30
The other applicants shall be able to be present via virtual means.
How to apply?
Applicants are invited to express their interest via Google Forms.
In the link is required to upload the following documents:
- CV of applicants (in a Europass format https://europa.eu/europass/en).
- Motivation letter (Why do I want to apply? Why should I be selected? What are my expectations? How can I use new skills and knowledge? etc.)
- Recommendation Letter of the related WG Leader
Deadline for submission: 18th of July, 2025
Priority criteria for selection
Applications will be assessed by the Assessment Committee consisted of the Chair, the ViceChair, the Grant Awarding Coordinator and the WG Leaders.
The criteria for selection and preferences of candidates are as follows:
- Relevance of the Applicant´s research area to the Training School topic;
- Active contribution of the Applicant in the COST working groups assessed by the WG leader expressed in the Recommendation Letter
- 1st time participant in ACRYRED COST networking tools 4) COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy:
- ITC, NNC and IPC members
- Young Researcher (< 40 years)
- Early-stage Researcher (< 4 years of research career)
- Gender balance
- Geographical diversity
After the evaluation process, the selected applicants will receive an official invitation of the COST Action with a link to the Acceptance of the event. Only after this step they can start to organize their trip.
Financial support - reimbursement
Expenses related to the participation in the Training School will be reimbursed according to the Annotated Rules for COST Actions.
What can be funded?
Long distance travel, subsistence and visas of invited participants present in person.
Daily Allowance covers:
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Short distance travel: up to 100 km each way
Long distance travel
- Any travel > 100 km to/from participant’s place of affiliation and the training school location
- Paid based on face-value
- Limited to plane, train, bus, car, and ferry
- Maximum of 1500 EUR for all travel
- Travel cancellation insurance is eligible.
Visa, if required to travel to the training school location for the reimbursement, supporting documents are required:
- Receipt/stamp from the embassy/consulate
- Amount paid
- Administrative costs
After the Training School:
- Once the activity has ended, the attendee must submit relevant documentation in e-COST within 30 days after the end date of the activity or 15 days after the end of the Grant Period, whichever comes first.
- Payment must be claimed via e-COST.
For more information on Training Schools please contact:
For any questions regarding the organization, you may contact the Local Organisers, Alketa Shehaj (E-mail: ashehaj@ubt.edu.al) and Fatjon Hoxha (E-mail: fhoxha@ubt.edu.al).
We look forward to welcoming you at the Training School in Tirana in September 2025!
