Work Package 4

Work package number	4		Start date or starting event	Month 1
Activity Type:	Coordination activities
Participant id	P1	P2-P21	P22-P35	P38, P42, P43	P39-P40
Person-months per participant:	2	1 (each)	1.5 (each)	1 (each)	1 (each)

Objectives

1. Scoping evaluations, contact and recruitment of any additional, geographically relevant partners and other AI laboratories in strategic global locations (month 3).
2. Identifying key areas for synergistic development between ‘Internal’ & ‘External’ network (months 3-12).
3. Facilitation of technical/advisory forums with quarterly useage review (month 15-48).
4. Execution of mid-term and final project meetings for ‘Internal’ EU27 network & ‘External’ partners/members (month 18, 48).
5. Production and distribution of proficiency testing panels and/or RRT-PCR standards and controls to selected ‘External’ partners/members as appropriate (month 8-48).
6. Facilitate opportunities for rapid communication and discussion, especially in relation to disease emergency response, but also using IT facilities for research and development forums as appropriate (month 15-48).
7. Develop a research agenda relating to common issues or topics between networks with clear identification of opportunities for collaboration, through formal projects if required.
8. Examine forums for rapid data and knowledge sharing i.e. gene sequences.

Description of Work

Due to the dynamic epizootiological situation that avian influenza infection currently presents, and the rapid rate-ofchange regarding emergent HPAI incursions and other influenza A viruses in novel geographical locations, further assessments to target additional, appropriate INCO and Third country partners, outside the EU27 MS NRL 'Internal' network, will be undertaken. Meetings will be organised to evaluate pertinent issues, including ‘state of the art’ and workshops with themes associated with knowledge sharing and the development of a research agenda relating to common issues or topics between networks, as appropriate allowing opportunities for collaboration through formal projects to be identified. Forums for rapid data and knowledge sharing ie. gene sequences will be explored and contact points from the ‘External’ networks identified, allowing for coordination of planned research efforts. Following on from the outputs of evaluation of proficiency testing panels in WP3, it is envisaged that harmonised and enhanced proficiency testing panels and protocols can be rolled out for implementation across the 'External' network, comprising the INCO, Third country, mammalian influenza partner institutes, international organisations and public health reference laboratory partners and associate members (eg. ECDC), in addition to circulation within the EU NRL 'Internal' network.

Deliverables

D4.1	Start up dissemination forum and/or meetings with Partners relevant to work plan (month 1).
D4.2	Recruitment of any additional, geographically relevant, globally strategic partners (month 3).
D4.3	FLU-LAB-NET website access rights and Partner registration granted (month 15).
D4.4	Production and distribution of proficiency testing panels to selected ‘External’ (WP4) partners (month 8-48).
D4.5	Facilitation of technical/advisory forums with quarterly useage review (month 15-48).
D4.6	Realisation of mid-term and final project meetings for ‘Internal’ EU27 network & ‘External’ partners (month 18, 48).
D4.7	Mid-term review and report (month 18).
D4.8	Identification of opportunities for staff exchange with procurement of funding and exchange of staff between partners/members as appropriate (month 12-48).
D4.9	Final scientific, administrative and financial reports to the EU (month 50).

Milestones and expected results

M4.1	Access to FLU-LAB-NET website once activated and partner registration (month 15).
M4.2	Identification and contacts established for geographically relevant partners/members and other AI laboratories in strategic global locations (month 6, 27, 39).
M4.3	Proficiency testing: preparation, production & distribution of forum, materials and reagents (month 12, 24, 30-48)
M4.4	Participation in FLU-LAB-NET technical/advisory forums (month 15-48).
M4.5	Participation in mid-term and final ‘Internal’ EU27 and ‘External’ partner/member meetings (month 18, 48).
M4.6	Identification and procurement of opportunities/funding for staff exchange/training as appropriate (month 13-48).
M4.7	Collation and preparation of materials for Mid-term review and report (month 16-20).
M4.8	Final partner meetings as appropriate; final scientific, administrative and financial reports (month 50).

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