Scientific Community ‐ contact networking, research collaboration on a global scale

Purpose In the era of globalisation and growing competitiveness research projects are conducted by big teams of scientists located in distant geographical locations. Management of collaboration of such diffused team is a big challenge even for experienced leaders, which requires a lot of efforts and careful logistics. Methods Virtual Research Groups is an internet‐based platform for management and conduction of multi‐center research projects. The platform consists of four modules: research module, information module, communication module and administration module. The system allows complete supervision and control of investigators and approval of entered protocols if needed. Simple protocols can be set up easily by investigators but more complicated ones are custom‐made and contain validation algorhytms. Statistical tools are available and are set up individually for the project according to the investigators requirements. Information module provides up‐to‐date literature on the subject of investigation along with information on available grants and other financial support, conferences and even suggestion on scientists whos profiles match the subject of investigation, who might be invited to join the group if expansion is desirable. Financial and scientific settlement of the project is one of the new features of the Virtual Research Groups. Conclusion The platform can be equally used for spontaneous creation of research teams as well as for management of structured research consortia or multi‐center clinical researchCommercial interest