EDEN (Emerging Diseases in a Changing European Environment) is a large European integrated research project which aims at identifying ecosystems at risk for the introduction of infectious vector-borne diseases in Europe. The project links 49 institutions from 24 countries. The project was operational over a five year from period from November 2004 to October 2009, and has now extended, on a non-budget basis, until May 2010. In this paper, we focus on research management issues, and their impact, which need to addressed for the successful management of such a complex integrated research project (IP) as EDEN. Particular attention is given to the adopted integrated EDEN research approach, the EDEN PhD network and the EDEN DMT website. Where applicable, examples of currently achieved long term sustainability are given.