Project Kick-off Meeting

18-21 February 2007
Gumpoldskirchen, Austria

From 18-21 February 2007, the BIOTRACER project held a kick-off meeting in Gumpoldskirchen, Austria, some 30 kilometres south of Vienna. Close to 100 people attended, representing almost all of the project partner institutes. 

The kick-off meeting held eight plenary sessions. During five of the plenary sessions, the Research Area (RA) leaders presented their ideas and expectations for the Work Packages (WPs). The other three plenary sessions provided presentations covering the following topics: legal, financial and administrative aspects of European Commission Framework Programme 6 projects; the Virtual Traceability Institute; European Commission Framework Programme 7 and what is new and an introduction to the e-management tool, BAL.PM.

During the kick-off meeting, the WPs had scheduled meetings over the course of the three days. WP leaders used these meetings to expand upon the description of the WPs as presented in the Contract. Clarification of tasks, responsibilities and timelines were also discussed as needed. Additional WP meetings as well as Task Leader meetings were held ad hoc.

The Scientific Committee met to discuss the role of the WP as operational units, WP leaders as managers of the WPs, responsibilities of WP leaders, and some general comments on communication and interaction between the WPs.

The International Advisory Board gathered for a working lunch during the kick-off meeting.

The Industry Group used a scheduled meeting to discuss aspects of the project that are of concern to industry interests. Among others items, the group discussed ownership of data from the project and modelling.
Each partner institute had an opportunity for small-group training on the e-management tool, BAL.PM. These small-group training sessions took place over the last two days of the kick-off meeting.

The Steering Committee met twice during the kick-off meeting. During the first meeting, members discussed and approved the general policy for the Steering Committee, they also discussed the expectations from the kick-off meeting, as well as the role of RA leaders.

During the second meeting of the Steering Committee, members reviewed the outcomes from the kick-off meeting. A proposal for an International Collaboration Leader was made and accepted by the Steering Committee. A presentation was made on plans for the Virtual Traceability Institute, training opportunities, mobility programme and a possible journal.