ABSTRACT
One overriding principle to keep in sight is that the best collaboration is because of the compatibility of the collaborator with oneself, rather than the specific detail of what they offer scientifically. First are very local, intradepartmental collaborations. These are obviously convenient and can be highly rewarding. Another type of collaboration is when only a few laboratories, often only two, collaborate. This may initially be on one project. Running a successful collaboration, especially one with several leaders at multiple sites, means thinking like a Chief Executive Officer: vetting partners, delegating responsibilities, and making tough management decisions. Governments, and the EU, also very much see the benefit of this coordinated approach not least in galvanising their research workforce to undertake research wished for by their electorates such as to tackle urgent health problems or dealing in a coordinated way with climate change, for example.
