INTARESE is planned as a 5-year integrated project, comprising four main phases. Phase 1 (to month 18) focuses on development and testing of the assessment methods, and assembly of the information needed to apply these through a series of policy-related case studies. Phase 2 (months 18-36) uses the methods to carry out integrated assessments for these policy issues, and to refine and revise the assessment methodology in the light of that experience. Stage 3 (months 36-48) constructs and tests an operational assessment toolbox; phase 4 (months 48-60) applies this toolbox to a set of high-level case studies. The end of each of these phases represents a key milestone and review point.

The overall structure of INTARESE is shown below.

As this indicates, it comprises seven major components (sub-projects). Five of these focus on scientific research, the sixth on user consultation and dissemination, and the seventh on consortium management.