Background: The Review Group Co-ordinator (RGC) Induction working group was formed by consensus at the 2006 Colloquium RGC meeting, in response to growing concerns about the lack of a system for introducing new RGCs to The Cochrane Collaboration. RGCs generally work in geographic isolation from each other and frequently commence in the role with no handover from the previous RGC and little consistent advice about relevant resources, procedures and key tasks. Resources did exist, but they were scattered and largely out of date. Objectives: To assess and address the need for standardised induction and support material for RGCs. Methods: We surveyed RGCs and assistant RGCs in January 2007 on their experiences of assuming the post of RGC. The survey results revealed a lack of support and information about relevant materials, and a sense of isolation. There was a high risk of errors and inefficiencies with the potential for a negative impact on the production of reviews. Informal mentoring had been useful to a number of RGCs, but there were concerns that this ad hoc method increased the diversity of systems and procedures being used. As a result of this survey, we submitted a proposal to the Collaboration’s Opportunities Fund for support to develop relevant resources and training for new RGCs, in particular: a generic position description template for RGCs; an updated welcome letter, guides and resources such as Signposts; a pilot mentoring programme to support RGCs internationally. Results: An Opportunities Fund Grant was awarded in May 2007. To date, we have developed a generic RGC position description, which was approved, and has been included in The Cochrane Manual; we have updated various resources (e.g. welcome letter to new RGCs, Signposts); RGCs have selected four experienced RGCs as regional mentors; we have developed a needs assessment, evaluation document, and training checklist; the pilot mentoring programme has commenced in February 2008. Conclusions: We will evaluate the mentoring pilot by collecting feedback from the RGC mentors and mentees on the need for and the usefulness and practicality of the program and present preliminary results on available data at the 2008 Colloquium.