Organizing ODIN: a case study in European academic co-operation

The European commission is an increasingly important source of funding for international research projects and is due to announce its Framework 5 prog ram early in 1999. The Outcomes of Depression International Network (ODIN), funded from the current EC Biomed 2 program, is a case study in European a cademic co-operation. Its organization has three key elements. First, engag ing the principal investigators: this has involved identifying potential pa rtners, ensuring reciprocity of interests, effective co-ordination, 'dividi ng the spoils' in advance, and setting up good personal and electronic comm unication systems. Second, an esprit de corps has been created amongst the researchers, maintaining contact and consistency, and promoting higher degr ees. Third, ongoing problems including difficulties in negotiations with th e EC, divergence of detailed study methods, and isolation and demoralizatio n amongst researchers, have been addressed. ODIN may provide a useful model for researchers wishing to set up international collaborative groups. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.