"The EUFP7-PEOPLE-IRSES consortium OTOLITH brings togethers 2 EU organisations (based in Belgium and Germany) together with 2 non-EU organisations (based in Russia and Ukraine). The scientific programme aims at studying the vestibular otolith system, if disturbed often resulting in equilibrium disorders. Therefore, the different partners involved bring in specific expertise and resources. The Ukrainian partner (Institute of physics - Kiev) has built up longstanding thereoretical expertise in the field of biomechanics and biophysics of inner ear mechanisms. Both EU partners, (AUREA - Antwerp, Belgium and ENT - Berlin, Germany) are experts in experimental studies on vestibular function, since they provide access to specific single copy infrastructure constructed by engineers of ESA and NASA (e.g. an integrated Visual Vestibular Investigation System, and D Eye Tracker Systems) and patient populations. The Russian partner (State Scientific Center Institute of Biomedical Problems) offers access to astronautes returning from space flight, a pool of people often suffering from otolith associated equilibrium disorders as a result from prolonged zero gravity experience. Implementing an exchange programme between the EU and non-EU investigators involved, integrating the existing expertise in Europe and its neighbouring countries, will provide the necessary transfer of knowledge to move this unique field forward."