Background

The INCF is established as the result of recommendations presented in the reports of the OECD Mega Science Forum Working Group on Biological Informatics (1999) and the OECD Global Science Forum Working Group on Neuroinformatics (2002). The proposal to create the INCF, as well as a funding Programme in International Neuroinformatics (PIN), was endorsed by OECD science ministers in 2004. Sixteen countries (Australia, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States), as well as the European Commission, then elaborated the working documents that form the legal basis for the INCF and the PIN. To date, fourteen countries (Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States) are members of the INCF. Membership is in preparation for several more countries.

Understanding: The legal document signed by all participants in the INCF that sets the framework for joining the INCF

Business plan: The document that describes the mission and operating procedure of the INCF

PIN: The framework document for the future Programme in International Neuroinformatics

Report of the OECD Working Group on Neuroinformatics (2002): This document provides an extended analysis of neuroinformatics and specific recommendations concerning the establishment of the INCF.

Report of the OECD Working Group on Biological Informatics (1999): This document defines the field of neuroinformatics and discusses the field in relation to other areas of Biological Informatics. It provides recommendations for the establishment of a global neuroinformatics coordinating capability.