INTACT provides 17 positions for Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) who participate in local training activities at their host institutions as well as in the INTACT cross-network training program. In addition to the ESRs, Local Scholars (LSs) at the host institutions are invited to join the INTACT training program. Thus, in total about 30 young researchers across Europe benefit from the comprehensive curriculum.

Training of Early Stage Researchers at Host Institutions

The ESRs are usually assigned to one node for a period of 24-36 months which allows substantial acquaintance with the specific research methodology and subject matter. The node-specific training activities follow four principles:

• Each ESR conducts one of the INTACT studies as principal co-investigator supervised by a personally assigned experienced senior researcher from the host team. The ESR are involved in the development of the design, collection of data, statistical analysis, and publication.
• The ESRs are encouraged to use the studies assigned to them as their dissertation. Slightly different is the situation for the technically oriented ESR. They work closely together with the experts of NetUnion and at the co-ordinating centre and thus, further their specialisation. At the same time, the co-operation with the teams conducting specific studies will further their interdisciplinary orientation.
• Each ESR is assigned to a mentor, who advises him/her on setting up a personal career development plan. ESRs attend courses / classes / seminars on the basic knowledge required in the respective node. ESRs are fully integrated into the host teams and contribute to the team conferences and receive training from experienced senior researchers. 
• The ESRs are integrated in the ongoing post-graduate training activities at their network node including seminars, workshops, journal clubs etc. 8 of the 9 nodes are academic institutions, most of them offering special research training programs. Conversely, other young and experienced researchers from the nodes ("Local Scholars"; LS) are invited to take part in the cross-network training activities of INTACT in addition to the ESRs.

INTACT Cross-network Training

Training Events

The INTACT training at network level comprises a number of workshops, summer schools, and international symposia that the INTACT network conducts at varying places:

• The eight workshops are organised in turn by each network node. The program covers a broad range of a) general contents relevant for research (e.g. ethics, data protection, project management, publication, dissemination, market strategy), b) complementary and transferable skills (e.g. didactic and presentation techniques), and c) of specific topics relevant for the INTACT network (e.g. genetic analyses, linguistic analyses, longitudinal methods, e-health programmes, stepped care). All ESRs and LSs participate in the workshops.
• The two summer schools conducted by the nodes in London (2008) and Utrecht (2009) offer specific training in genetic and biological research methods for a smaller number of ESRs and LSs.
• Finally, INTACT will organise two international scientific symposia in 2009 and 2011 to give the ESRs and LSs the opportunity to present and discuss their work within the scientific community.

Online Training

In addition to these face-to-face training opportunities, weekly seminars via Internet are arranged by the coordinating team at the INTACT e-Campus to support the continuous exchange between the ESRs and LSs at the various nodes, to enhance collaborative studies, and to foster the team spirit among the trainees. In these e-seminars, each ESR / LS discusses the status and progress of his/her specific study at regular intervals with the group.

Research Visits and Secondments

ESRs are encouraged to visit other INTACT nodes and to initiate joint research activities with ESRs and LSs at these centers. This opportunity enhances networking within INTACT and facilitates the transfer of knowledge.

Intersectorial Aspects

The research and training activities in INTACT have a strong academic focus. However, through NetUnion one small enterprise is involved. This industrial partner not only ensures training in Internet technology on a top level, but also provides the opportunity to learn from a business company how to manage projects and prepare the resulting products for the market.