In late 2004, the Canadian Stem Cell Network invited representatives from 14 national research networks to a face-to-face meeting in Montreal. Most of these Networks were funded by their home governments with mandates to promote collaboration and training, conduct outreach, and facilitate economic development in the stem cell space, including the
Australian Stem Cell Centre.
The outcomes of this meeting in Montréal was a recommendation to create an international coordinating group that would be committed to international cooperation and collaboration, extending the concept of national research networks to the international level.
From this the International Consortium of Stem Cell Networks was born.
In 2005 the Victorian State Government, recognising the importance of international collaboration and relations, made available $200,000 funding to a Secretariat to underpin and coordinate the Consortium. The Secretariat comprises of representatives from the stem cell networks of Australia, Canada, North Rhine Westphalia (Germany), and Scotland.
The ICSCN currently has 18 members, and is chaired by Dr. Michael Rudnicki, Scientific Director of Canada’s Stem Cell Network. The Consortium meets annually in conjunction with each plenary meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research.
In addition to the information found on this website, the ICSN has a new website which can be found at:
www.stemcellconsortium.org.