Work Programme 2018
Creators: name: Steinfelder, Erik
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2017

description: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND 2018 GOAL TREE

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‘A customer is someone who has not found a better alternative yet’ Nirmalya Kumar

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The way biobanks see it, researchers have no alternative than to connect and partner up with them when looking for high-quality samples and associated data. In other words, researchers cannot go find a better alternative because there is none. The researchers themselves, however, are often convinced that there are many alternatives to biobanks, which is mainly due to the fact that sample collections hosted by biobanks lack visibility, findability, and accessibility or simply because researchers have a strong desire to have their own collections of specific material.

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In order to bridge this gap between biobanks, the research community and the different stakeholders, BBMRI-ERIC’s goal for 2018 will be to build and strengthen value-added, sustainable biobanking. This ambitious goal and its various sub-goals, laid out on the following pages, can only be achieved if the BBMRI-ERIC team in Graz, the National Nodes, and the various biobanks join efforts.<br>
To gain a better understanding of who we actually serve, communication and dissemination will play a central role in 2018. Focussing on these activities will allow us to respond better to different requirements and tackle the challenges ahead. However, it will also help us map the environment in which we operate and identify areas in which we need to adapt or where we can place ourselves in an even stronger position. To that end, we will gather information that will then be fed back to the National Nodes in order for them to benefit as well.

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The various services offered by BBMRI-ERIC will be continuously improved and expanded, while also creating additional awareness. Quality Management will continue to expand its Self-Assessment Survey, launch a quality grade and develop a concept paper for an audit programme. The Common Service IT will focus on improving and supporting the Directory, the Negotiator, the Connector, and BIBBOX, with the Locator due for a first release across five member states. The Common Service ELSI will centre its efforts around a number of services and support, including optimising the recently launched Help Desk, adapting the Ethics Check and drafting the Code of Conduct.

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In order to maintain the leading position of BBMRI-ERIC and its Members and Observers, it is absolutely crucial to explore new, innovative ideas in more detail. To that end, there will be small working groups to analyse the potential and added value of these innovations and developments for the wider community. These working groups will also be designed to give advice on risks and investment in necessary resources while exploring whether this could be something to develop into a specific BBMRI-ERIC service.<br>
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Finally, strategic efforts concerning funding will be intensified in 2018. By actively monitoring market developments, we can detect upcoming calls at an early stage and take action. Additionally, BBMRI-ERIC will start to explore fundraising activities outside of the regular H2020 projects, relying, among other things, on input from the Stakeholder Forum.

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Last but not least, I would like to thank the team in Graz as well as our Members and Observers and the various governing bodies of BBMRI-ERIC for their input to this Work Programme for 2018. I look forward to working with all of you to deliver on our commitments.

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Erik Steinfelder – Director General