[Concept and results of the German Research Network on Schizophrenia]

The German Research Network on Schizophrenia (GRNS) was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) from 1999 to 2011. The aim was to obtain a better horizontal and vertical networking of German research and care facilities on schizophrenia, in order to investigate open research questions, to transfer the results into clinical practice and improve care and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia.

This paper describes the concept and operations of the GRNS as well as its results on the basis of selected research projects.

The GRNS comprised about 25 clinical trials of high practical relevance, which were closely interrelated regarding content, methodology and organization. The trials primarily served the development and evaluation of new and established diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, the assessment of the status quo of clinical care, as well as its improvements, together with the investigation of basic scientific questions. Many substantial results to highly relevant issues were obtained, which led or will lead to an improvement in mental health care.

Quantitative and qualitative evaluation parameters, such as scientific publications and obtaining additional grants, as well as promotion of young scientists, public relations activities, congress activities and the foundation of a European Schizophrenia Association, document the successful work of the network. Successful funding requests will allow us to continue cooperative schizophrenia research in Germany as initiated by the GRNS, without necessarily always binding these activities formally to the GRNS.