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© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Reuse permitted under CC BYNC. No commercial reuse. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. WHAT ARE THE TRAINEE RESEARCH NETWORKS AND THE POSITIVES THEY BRING The initiation of trainee research networks dates back to 2008 when a regional group of General Surgeons developed the West Midlands Research Collaborative. From these origins, the traineeled collaborative research model generated national and international support, across a broad range of medical specialties to involve researchers of various levels from consultants to medical students. 3 Since then, many successful collaboratives have delivered highimpact studies, benefiting patients and the people delivering this research. The growth of research collaborations became prominent, with the successful completion of multiple large national and international studies, and opportunities for research teams and leaders to train and develop. Some noticeable examples of highquality traineeled research were the Reduction of Surgical Site Infection Using Several Novel Interventions (ROSSINI) trial, which recruited 760 participants from 21 sites, and the Single Use Negative pRessure dressing for Reduction In Surgical site infection following Emergency laparatomy (SUNRRISE) study, which was the first National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) portfolio randomised controlled trial to have a trainee as the named grant holder and has currently recruited 840 patients from across the UK and Australia. The overarching aim of these traineeled research networks is to deliver highquality multicentre audits or research projects that can have a positive impact on patient care. Furthermore, they are a novel opportunity for mentorship, whereby trainees can receive support and guidance from senior investigators, yet still lead all phases of their projects (conception, design, delivery and dissemination). The results of a survey among gastroenterology trainees gauging their interests in research and academic training published in 2019 showed that over 90% of trainees felt that the development of trainee research collaboratives was important. We believe the strengths of the trainee networks are they facilitate traineeled, designed and delivered projects. This can contribute towards eportfolio requirements as well as evidencing research and leadership skills for future job applications. More importantly, we believe they offer trainees the opportunity to work with and learn from peers at different stages of their training. It fosters collaborative research within and across regions, which we believe will have positive impacts on future collaboration as seniors. Trainee research networks allow trainees to develop their own ideas, priorities and directions, which in typical research and training settings are often set externally or supervisorled. This article has been written to stimulate discussion about what comes next for trainees in gastroenterology and our trainee research networks.