During the past three decades psychiatry has suffered from a decline in the recruitment of young physicians across Europe. The challenges for clinical psychiatric research are even worse. After psychiatry has declared itself a medical (neuro) speciality the situation is now shifting towards the better.

Active innovation programs are however needed to accelerate this recent positive trend.

To introduce and train medical students in clinical psychiatric research methodology by practical research work supported by theoretical teaching.

To describe a local initiative done by AUH Risskov, Department M in Denmark implementing a clinical research teaching program for medical students.

We invited students of medicine known as dedicated and pro-active and posted the program on our website. Students responding positively to our invitation were interviewed by the first and senior author before being accepted into the program.

The group consists of 8 medical students and one psychology student in their third to the tenth term (of 12) at university. They are all given minor research questions relevant to the clinical department. The trainees are supervised in groups and individually parallel to systematic teaching. Further details will be given at the presentation.

We have deliberately sought out the most qualified students with an elitist approach. The participants commit themselves to act in an active, independent and disciplined way when accepted into the program.

The participants will be present at the Nice congress ready for discussion and with answers to any questions about the program.