European College of Neuropsychopharmacology

The European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) is a pan-European, non-profit scientific association that serves as a platform to exchange and promote research in the field of neuropsychopharmacology. The ECNP “is committed to ensuring that advances in the understanding of brain function and human behaviour are translated into better treatments and enhanced public health”. The ECNP organizes a number of activities to achieve this aim, such as a yearly congress, schools, workshops, seminars and supported talks.

History
In 1984 representatives of neuropsychopharmacological societies from across Europe suggested there might be room for a European structure. A meeting to discuss this plan further was held in Copenhagen in May 1985. It was decided that a European College of Neuropsychopharmacology would be founded. A Working Group was formed to plan of the association’s inaugural scientific congress. This congress was held in Brussels in 1987. Around 500 people attended. The Working Group consisted of: Carlos Ballús, Spain Per Bech, Denmark Giovanni Cassano, Italy Alexandra Delini-Stula, Switzerland Markus Gastpar, Switzerland Carl-Gerhard Gottfries, Sweden Lars F. Gram, Denmark Max Hamilton, United Kingdom Paul Kielholz de:Paul Kielholz, Switzerland Julien Mendlewicz, Belgium Giorgio Racagni, Italy Eckart Ruther, Germany Michael Trimble, United Kingdom Willem Verhoeven, Netherlands Jennifer Wakelin, Netherlands Édouard Zarifian, France

In 1993 the College established a permanent secretariat in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Organization
The ECNP’s executive organ is the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee consists of six officers (the president, vice- president, president-elect, past-president, secretary and treasurer) and a maximum of six councillors. The Executive Committee has a three year term.

The 2013-2016 Executive Committee consists of:

Guy Goodwin, United Kingdom, president Gitte Moos Knudsen, Denmark, vice-president Celso Arango, Spain, president-elect Joseph Zohar, Israel, past-president Mark J. Millan, France, secretary Eduard Vieta, Spain treasurer

Councillors: Shitij Kapur, United Kingdom Martien Kas, The Netherlands Laurence Lanfumey, France Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, Germany Per Svenningsson, Sweden Gil Zalsman, Israel

Chair Scientific Programme Committee: Wim van den Brink, The Netherlands Editor-in-Chief European Neuropsychopharmacology Michael Davidson, Israel Executive Director Alexander Schubert, The Netherlands

Past presidents are: Joseph Zohar, Israel (2010-2013) David Nutt, United Kingdom (2007-2010) Julien Mendlewicz, Belgium (2004-2007) Yves Lecrubier, France (2002-2004) Jan M. van Ree, Netherlands (1998-2002) Manfred Ackenheil, Germany (1995-1998) Stuart A. Montgomery, United Kingdom (1992-1995) Salomon Z. Langer, France (1989-1992) Carl-Gerhard Gottfries, Sweden (1987-1989)

The Executive Committee oversees the work of various sub-committees of the Executive Committees. These committees are staffed by scientists working in the field of neuropsychopharmacology.
 * Award Committee
 * The Award Committee reviews award applications. The terms and criteria for awards are set by the Executive Committee.


 * Communication Committee
 * The Communication Committee is concerned with scientific publications, including European Neuropsychopharmacology and ECNP Matters.


 * Consultation Meeting Committee
 * The Consultation Meeting Committee is concerned with the programme of the annual Consultation Meeting.


 * Educational Committee
 * The Educational Committee is concerned with training activities and educational programs, especially for junior scientists.


 * Certificate Committee
 * The Certificate Committee oversees the curriculum of the ECNP Certificate. It reviews applications, assigns mentors, evaluates the quality of submitted projects, and advises the Educational Committee on whether the requisite standard has been met. The committee is responsible for setting and maintaining the Certificate’s standard.


 * Junior Members Advisory Panel
 * The Junior Members Advisory Panel advises the Executive Committee on programmes and activities to support and encourage junior scientists.


 * Membership Committee
 * The Membership Committee committee reviews applications for ECNP membership.


 * School Committee
 * The School Committee designs the curricula of the ECNP Schools, reviews applications and selects participants.


 * Workshop Committee
 * The Workshop Committee committee co-ordinates the organisation of the ECNP Workshop.

Committees independent from the Executive committee are:
 * ECNP Review Board


 * Nominating Committee
 * The Nominating Committee nominates candidates for the future Executive Committee.


 * Scientific Programme Committee (ECNP Congress)
 * This committee is responsible for the scientific programme of the ECNP Congress. It’s goal is to protect and promote the congress’s scientific quality.


 * Scientific Advisory Panels

Activities

 * ECNP Congress
 * The ECNP Congress is an annual meeting on applied neuroscience and mental disorders. The meeting is intended for medical researchers in neuropsychopharmacology, psychiatry and neurology, clinicians and practitioners, neuroscientists, and public health professionals.


 * ECNP School
 * The ECNP has three schools for junior scientists:
 * The ECNP School of Neuropsychopharmacology
 * The ECNP School of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychopharmacology
 * The ECNP School of Old Age Neuropsychopharmacology
 * The first is held annually, the latter every other year in alternating order. The ECNP Schools are a week of intensive training for young clinicians.


 * ECNP Workshop
 * The ECNP organizes an annual three-day workshop for 100 junior scientists in Europe.


 * ECNP Seminar
 * The ECNP Seminars are two-day meetings, held in different European countries, focused on research training for junior psychiatrists who have limited access to international meetings.

Awards

 * Neuropsychopharmacology Award
 * This award recognizes innovative and distinguished research achievements in neuropsychopharmacology and closely related disciplines. It is awarded once a year, with the research focus alternating between basic science and clinical research.


 * Media Award
 * The ECNP aims to inform and educate the European public about personal and social impact of disorders of the brain and this award recognizes major media contributions that help end stigmatization of disorders of the brain.


 * Fellowship Awards
 * The Fellowship Award is awarded to individuals engaged full-time in clinical or basic research, training or teaching activities in the field of neuropsychopharmacology and closely related disciplines.


 * Poster Award
 * The Poster Award is awarded to the best posters at the ECNP Congress.


 * Travel Award
 * The Travel Award is awarded to the best abstracts by junior scientists sent in for the ECNP Congress.

Publications
The ECNP publishes European Neuropsychopharmacology, which is a monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal. Michael Davidson is the Editor-in-Chief.

Partners
Alliance for Biomedical Research in Europe European Brain Council (EBC) (founder member) Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) (founder member) International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR)