Abstract
BACKGROUND: International research collaboration in the field of neuropsychopharmacology offers immense potential to bridge the gap between cutting-edge neuroscience discoveries and their application in clinical psychiatry. Despite the rapid advancements in understanding brain function and psychotropic mechanisms, a disconnect persists between the latest neuroscientific evidence and its integration into everyday psychiatric practice. For early career researchers (ECRs), engaging in international research can be a pivotal step toward fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and translating research into clinical innovations. However, significant barriers impede their ability to contribute effectively on a global scale. AIMS & OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to uncover the challenges faced by ECRs involved in international collaborations within the field of neuropsychopharmacology. METHOD: A survey was created by the participants of the 1(st) CINP Fellowship Program and shared online through CINP’s official communication channels. The inclusion criteria were as follows: psychiatrists up to five years post psychiatric qualification and researchers up to five years after Ph.D. (or equivalent), conducting research in the field of neuropsychopharmacology, with a background in medicine, pharmacy, neuroscience, psychology, natural sciences, or similar disciplines. All respondents gave their consent to participate in the study. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia (EK 4/2024). RESULTS: As of now, we have received 50 responses from participants across 24 countries. There were 27 (54%) female respondents. The majority of the respondents were aged 25-34 years (54%). In terms of current positions, there were 1 undergraduate medical student, 9 Ph.D. students, 9 psychiatry residents, 5 dual Ph.D. students/psychiatry residents, 12 post-doctoral researchers, 7 consultant psychiatrists, 1 associate professor, 4 assistant professors, and 2 full professors. The majority of participants had a medicine background (65%). While 98% (49 out of 50) expressed interest in and recognized the value of international collaborations in neuropsychopharmacological research, only 60% had prior international collaboration experience. Major barriers included: lack of financial and external support (88%), scarcity of specialty- or methodology-specific resources (70%), shortage of networking opportunities such as conferences (58%), logistical difficulties such as language barriers and organizing meetings in different time zones (58%), and insufficient technological resources (44%). DISCUSSION & CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights strong interest among ECRs in international neuropsychopharmacology collaborations, despite significant barriers including financial constraints, insufficient support, and limited access to specialized resources. Difficulty in collecting responses from international ECRs, particularly non-medical researchers, suggests challenges in accessing international networks. This may result in their underrepresentation in studies and research collaborations. Addressing these challenges through targeted funding, enhanced networking platforms, and accessible resources can foster greater global collaboration and interdisciplinary perspectives. Such efforts are crucial to bridge the disconnect between neuroscientific evidence and clinical practice, engage researchers globally, and ultimately advance mental health research and care. Funded by the EU NextGenerationEU through the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Slovakia under the project No. 09I03-03-V04-00207.