Checklist for registering a new Centre

Those proposing the Centre should:

I General issues

1. Have demonstrated both an enthusiasm for, and a basic expertise in, performing systematic reviews. It is essential for at least one person from the Centre participate as an author in a registered Cochrane Review Group.
2. Suggest which countries/states/geographic regions it is willing to support, after consultation with the Cochrane Centre(s) currently responsible for the area
3. Show that there are reasonable numbers of registered authors or editors to be served in the region, or that the proposed Centre is of importance to the Collaboration for other reasons (e.g. because many new trials have been published in a language which is not currently dealt with adequately, or because of geographical distances, or if there is a major source of potential authors).
4. Show that it has an advisory board, including at least one consumer representative.

5. Ascertained a commitment of funding for the Centre to become self-supporting.

6. Reflect the Cochrane spirit of unselfish collaboration and indicate a task of service to the entire Collaboration that the Centre plans to undertake.
7. Submit a strategic plan for activities and goals as part of the application.  The plan should particularly focus on activities in support of Authors, Editors, Managing Editors, handsearchers and members of Fields and Methods Groups in the region, i.e. training of authors and editors.
8. Show the commitment to prepare an annual report which contains a strategic plan for the next twelve months.
9. If possible, identify a contact person in each country where there are persons listed in Archie (the Collaboration’s Information Management System), who will be responsible for local Cochrane activities as part of a formal or informal Cochrane Network affiliated with the new Centre.
10. The combined FTE should be at least 50% to work for the Collaboration, and it is recommended that within 12 months of registration, the Centre should have the equivalent of at least three full-time persons on its staff The time commitment for the staff should be made explicit in the application.
11. Include a draft module (according to the specific format that describes the Centre) and a list of targets as part of the application to register with the Collaboration
    

II Ability to meet core functions

1. Be able to provide local training and support for review authors, editors, handsearchers, and other contributors to The Cochrane Collaboration in performing systematic reviews and having demonstrated sufficient training skills.
2. Be able to handsearch general healthcare journals in the linguistic area of the Centre and to submit the search results to the Collaboration’s trial database.
3. Be able to provide help with software and methodological difficulties (in consultation with the IMS team and Methods Groups), and advice on search strategies.
4. Show that you are able to raise funding to (a) become self supporting and sustain their progress, and (b) to assist Cochrane entities in their region of responsibility.

III Evidence of support from The Cochrane Collaboration and local key organisations (credibility)

1. Provide evidence of support from relevant individuals and entities in the proposed region, especially from Cochrane Review Groups, other people listed in Archie (the Collaboration’s contact database), and from the other Cochrane Centre(s) currently responsible for the geographic area.
2. Be in a position to advocate for the Centre and The Cochrane Collaboration in the countries for which it is responsible and to include letters of support from key organisations.
3. Obtain and attached a letter of endorsement from the Chair of the Centre Directors’ Meeting, letters of support from all entities in the countries for which you will be responsible, and a letter of support from the hosting institute.