All core NIHR infrastructure funding for UK Cochrane Review Groups will cease on 31 March 2023. This is clearly disappointing news, and comes at a time when Cochrane itself is also undergoing significant change and re-organisation. We therefore cannot be sure of the plans for the future of EPOC at this time.

For authors of protocols, reviews and updates already in development

We are committed to continuing to support all titles already agreed and in process, through to publication. As we are not certain of our place as an editorial unit beyond 31 March 2023, we would ideally like to see all active titles published in the Cochrane Library by that date. However, we understand that this may not be feasible, and we would like to reassure our author teams that there will always be a route to publication for high quality Cochrane Reviews.

For authors of reviews that are due to be (re)assessed for updating

Unfortunately, we are no longer able to routinely commit to assessing reviews for updating, as we would do under normal circumstances. However, we are open to discussion with author teams if there is a strong reason for updating, for example there is new evidence which may change the conclusions in a high priority review, and there is secure funding to support the update.

For authors planning on proposing a new title

Unfortunately we are currently closed to new title proposals.

Next steps

For more information on the future of evidence synthesis in Cochrane please see: https://community.cochrane.org/organizational-info/plans/future-evidence-synthesis-cochrane/community-engagement-workshop-series


If you have any concerns or questions, about particular reviews or any other issue raised here, please contact us.

20 January 2022