The European Tuberculosis Research Initiative (ERI-TB)

WHO

Research and innovation is a key area of intervention to end the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic, and is one of the three pillars of both the WHO End TB Strategy and the TB Action Plan for the WHO European Region 2016–2020. Improving the connection between basic science, applied research and development, and operational research supports action in this area, which is focused on the effective and timely development and implementation of innovative tools (e.g. new vaccines, diagnostic methods, medicines, and preventive and treatment regimens) and innovative methods of service delivery.

The Regional Office set up ERI-TB to advance TB-related research in the Region. The establishment of ERI-TB is a milestone of the TB Action Plan, supporting the achievement of the End TB Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals within the Health 2020 policy framework.

ERI-TB objectives

  • Map ongoing and planned TB-related research activities in the Region; develop and update a regional research priority agenda
  • Facilitate collaboration between research institutions and key research stakeholders; identify and promote areas for further cooperation
  • Ensure engagement of civil society organizations, (ex-)patients and other relevant non-state actor representatives in TB research
  • Facilitate dissemination of research results and their translation into evidence-based policies and programmatic implementation
  • Document the funding gaps in research and share with potential funding agencies, bilateral and multilateral organizations

How it works

ERI-TB relies on a core group, providing expert input, and a wider network, comprising interested parties with no conflict of interest. Network members contribute to ERI-TB on a voluntary basis, by sharing their research-related work and providing input for ERI-TB documents; they receive regular updates on the work of the initiative. ERI-TB core group members are selected through a call for applications.

To join the network, email the WHO ERI-TB Secretariat at euroTBRI@who.int

12 researchers in WHO European Region awarded grants for research on TB and COVID-19

22-06-2021

European Tuberculosis Research Initiative - the fifth meeting of the core group

11 March 2020, Copenhagen, Denmark
European Tuberculosis Research Initiative - Fourth meeting of the core group

23 August 2019, Copenhagen, Denmark
Defining the tuberculosis research agenda for the WHO European Region: a study report of the European TB Research Initiative (2019)

Structured operational research training of the European Tuberculosis Research Initiative (2019)

Report of the second meeting of the ERI-TB core group (2017)

17 January 2017, Copenhagen, Denmark
First meeting of the ERI-TB core group

15 November 2016, UN City, Copenhagen, Denmark
Terms of reference of the European Tuberculosis Research Initiative

Call for applications to the European Tuberculosis Research Initiative (ERI-TB) core group

The Roadmap to implement the tuberculosis action plan for the WHO European Region 2016–2020. Towards ending tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (2016)

The End TB Strategy

Consolidated action plan to prevent and combat multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in the WHO European Region 2011–2015

Action plan to strengthen the use of evidence, information and research for policy-making in the WHO European Region