The European Commission (EC) has been criticized for failing to define specific research pathways for tackling the recent outbreak of Ebola virus in West Africa (J. M. Martin-Moreno et al. Lancet 384, 1259; 2014). In our view, three changes would improve research into new interventions.

First, the EC needs to set up a cooperative framework for implementing research activity during outbreaks. Experience indicates that existing networks have suboptimal capability to involve African institutions and local authorities in the research that could help to contain the epidemic (S. Lanini et al. Lancet Infect. Dis. 15, 738–745; 2015).

Second, the EC must put in place resources and infrastructure so that, in the event of an unexpected resurgence of the virus, intervention studies can be rapidly approved.

Third, research institutions need to cooperate more closely with one another. Research networks have already been set up (see go.nature.com/9xtemn) and others have successfully supported fragile local health-care services. These include the European Mobile Laboratory Project, Quality Assurance Exercises and Networking on the Detection of Highly Infectious Pathogens, and the network of biosafety level 4 laboratories, Euronet P4.

We suggest that an inclusive and committed European Consortium should be established. This should carry out research between epidemics and promptly translate the results into actions during epidemics. In our view, this consortium would be most effective if it were self-sufficient. Crucially, its budget structure would allow easy access to funds for implementing interventions.