International networking - A healthy vehicle for research?

Collaboration between research centres has existed for a long time, but the possibility of obtaining external funding has been an extra motive for cen tres to participate in international networks, This paper discusses the opp ortunities and limitations of international networking based upon the case of the CityHealth Research Network in which the authors participated, They reflect upon the functioning of European networking in practice and highlig ht aspects that could be improved, The structure, organization and function ing of the CityHealth Research Network are considered as well as its influe nce on research output, furthermore, recommendations are formulated on esta blishing and implementing a coherent and efficient cross-national research network, It is not a one-sided success story about collaboration between in ternational research teams, but rather a reflection upon the learning exper iences and the successes achieved within this network, In general, the comp lexity of networking between research teams from different countries not on ly seems to be a challenge for research practice, but it also provides a ch allenging topic for scientific inquiry itself.