INI-CRCT is a research network of excellence whose coordination unit is ISO 9001 certified. It is composed of men and women who have decided to work together to improve the cardiovascular prognosis of patients with kidney failure. For the first time, it brings together French leaders with expertise in the field of cardio renal disease (cardiologists, nephrologists, intensive care anaesthetists, internists, epidemiologists, methodologists, basic researchers, as well as an ARO (Academic Research Organisation), haemodialysis centres, heart failure networks, the Biomedicine Agency, the University of Lorraine and the NIT Foundation.

Today in France, medicine, organised into specialities, sees the management of renal failure and heart failure dissociated. However, current research shows a strong association between kidney disease and cardiovascular risk. The emergence of personalised medicine on the one hand, and a globalised approach to health on the other, require an increasing professionalisation of clinical research specialists, new working methods and network organisation to meet the health challenges facing society and the world of research.

While until now there have been ad hoc collaborations and affinities between a few cardiologists, nephrologists and doctors from other specialties, the creation of a coordinated, dedicated network since 2014 has enabled experts to be brought together, to cross-fertilize and grow expertise, and to offer greater visibility for this area of research on the European and international scene: it's still a first at European level.