The Marie Curie Innovative Training Network DRIVE received funding for three years by the European Commission to train the next generation of leading European autophagy researchers. For the first time all members came together in Groningen, Netherlands on June 14^thand 15^thfor the kick-off meeting of the newly established network.

The aim of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions of the European commission is to encourage transnational and interdisciplinary mobility. This is exactly what DRIVE is living up to. The recruited early stage researchers (ESRs) come from ten different countries, the beneficiaries spread across 13 locations in eight European countries, comprise academic and non-academic members and all of them strive for the same goal – to train young scientists to become the experts of tomorrow in the field of autophagy research. For the first time all members had the chance to meet each other and exchange first experiences this June in Groningen, Netherlands.

The kick-off meeting officially started on Thursday morning with a general overview of the network and a hearty welcoming by DRIVE coordinator Prof. Dr. Fulvio Reggiori. Subsequently, all members of the consortium were put on the same page: the group leaders introduced their research followed by a short overview of the 15 research projects given by the ESRs. A culinary walk combined with a guided tour through Groningen’s old town rounded off the day.

On Friday, the supervisory board met and elected the consortium’s executive board. It consist of Prof. Dr. Eeva-Liisa Eskelinen who will oversee the quality of training for ESRs, Prof. Dr. Patrice Codogno who will manage the realization of the DRIVE projects, and Prof. Dr. Fulvio Reggiori who will be in charge of the realization of the DRIVE conferences and the general management of the consortium.  At the same time, the ESRs general assembly was held, where Celine Deneubourg was elected to the supervisory board as student representative.

In addition, the ESRs had the chance to learn about time management and personal leadership in a training conducted by Prof. Dr. Harry van der Wiel from the Wenckebach Institute in Groningen. Prof. van der Wiel will accompany the ESRs over the course of the three years and the ESRs will get the chance to continuously assess their personal development, get feedback and further guidance by Prof. van der Wiel.

The next meeting of the network will take place in Madrid and will focus on strengthening the ESRs theoretical and experimental knowledge on autophagy.