The Community Research and Development Information Service - CORDIS

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

  1. What is a 'CORDIS online Forum'? Does it replace the BBS?
  2. What can I do in a forum?
  3. Who can use the forums?
  4. How do I get started with the CORDIS online Forums?
  5. What is a forum moderator?
  6. What are categories, forums and topics?
  7. How do I post a message?
  8. How do I reply to a message?
  9. I forgot my password, what do I do?
  10. Who can request a new forum on CORDIS?

1. What is a 'CORDIS online Forum'? Does it replace the BBS?

A 'CORDIS online Forum' is an interactive communication platform for specific CORDIS users, such as members of working and advisory groups, National Contact Points etc. A number of parallel forums have been created, and are used by forum members for discussions, exchange of information and documents, etc.

The BBS has been closed down. Users wishing to create new forums and topics, or post messages, should use the CORDIS online Forums. BBS related requests should be addressed to the helpdesk

2. What can I do in a forum?

As a member of a forum, you can post messages with your ideas and opinions, and you can share documents and news. You can also reply to messages posted by other members, for example to comment on their views or posted documents. Using the search facilities you can find information you are interested in within the forum, or forums, of which you are a member.

3. Who can use the Forums?

Some forums are open to all CORDIS registered users; all you need is your normal (and valid) CORDIS username and password; see below how to get started. Other forums are restricted to a specific group of users; for these, in addition to being a CORDIS registered user you need to:

• Have applied to join the restricted Forum(s)
• Have been accepted by the moderator.

4. How do I get started with the CORDIS online forums?

Generally, a user will start at the forums homepage which shows a list of categories. If you click on one of the categories, you will see only the forums of that category. To access Forums, you must first be a registered CORDIS user. The Forums system uses the same CORDIS username and password as the general CORDIS registration. Simply go to the login screen, enter your CORDIS username and password and click on the 'login' button (if you don't have a CORDIS Username, you need to register first).

Download the user guide to learn how to use the forums.

5. What is a forum moderator?

A moderator has been appointed for each forum. This person is responsible for the content published on the forum, and where necessary for assigning access rights to users of restricted forums. The moderator also acts as the central liaison point with the CORDIS service on all matters relating to the CORDIS online Forums service.

6. What are categories, forums and topics?

Category The CORDIS online Forums system is divided in different categories that contain various forums.
Categories have a subject, that the forums within are about.
Forum A forum is a container of topics. Forums often have a general subject that the topics within are about.
Topic A topic is a collection of messages. It is like a conversation, where every user can state their opinion about an idea or debate an issue.

7. How do I post a message?

There are two primary ways to post a message. In the view forum and view topic pages, you may click on 'New Topic'. This will take you to the posting form, and, when you have posted, a new topic will be created with your message as the first one in the topic. In the view topic page, you may also click 'Post Reply'. This will take you to the posting form, and, after you have posted, your message will be added to the topic you replied to.

8. How do I reply to a message?

To reply to a specific message, you need to click the 'Reply to Post' button above that message. You also have the 'Quote Post' option if you wish to include other users' messages in your own.

9. I forgot my password, what do I do?

Forgotten your log-in details? Please use the Password Reset.

10. Who can request a new forum on CORDIS?

All requests for establishing a new online forum are handled by the Publications Office Project Officers responsible for managing CORDIS. Users interested in creating an online forum on CORDIS should send their requests to the CORDIS Help Desk providing a short description of their forums' purpose.

Please note that following factors are taken into consideration when assessing requests:

  • Compliance of the proposed forum to the CORDIS mandate.
  • Importance of the forums to the a particular EU-supported RTD programme or policy initiative.
  • Capacity of the moderator to monitor and maintain their forums.
  • CORDIS resources available to implement the request in the context of overall priorities.