Czech–Swiss Biobank Infrastructure Initiative for FAIR Data and Quality Certification (CS-BIQ)

Abstract

The CS-BIQ project connects the national nodes of BBMRI-ERIC in Czechia (BBMRI.cz) and Switzerland (BBMRI.ch) with the aim of strengthening the quality and interoperability of biobanking services in both countries. It focuses on two key areas: i) harmonisation of biospecimen quality in biobanking processes, and ii) institutional readiness for FAIRification of data associated with biospecimens. In the area of quality, a Swiss evaluation system will be introduced to support Czech biobanks to obtain the internationally recognised BBMRI-ERIC Quality Label or ISO 20387 accreditation. The Swiss partner will provide methodological guidance and training, while the Czech node will gradually take over the initiative of evaluation in the project lasting period. The project will support data integration and cataloguing on site resulting in metadata findable in the national catalogues of BBMRI.cz (data.bbmri.cz) or BBMRI.ch (SBP NExT). The goal is to automatise metadata management and preparation to set FAIRification processes in the biobanks for biospecimens and data. The project will develop an ethical and legal framework for sharing biospecimens and data between Czechia and Switzerland to simplify international collaboration in compliance with GDPR and Swiss regulations. This framework will be helpful for future cohort development when a demand will come.

The project will strengthen the capacities of both national nodes, establish a reusable model of collaboration, and increase the visibility, and efficiency of biobanks in both countries.

Project Information

Title: Czech–Swiss Biobank Infrastructure Initiative for FAIR Data and Quality Certification (CS-BIQ)
Registration number: 8K0204
Project duration: 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2028
Funding body: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic
Funding programme: Swiss–Czech Cooperation Programme (www.svycarskyprogram.cz)
Budget: CZK 26,965,000
Coordinator: Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute

Partners:
CZ (5): Institute of Rheumatology, Charles University, Palacký University Olomouc, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Masaryk University
CH (1): Swiss Biobanking Platform (SBP)

This project is funded by the Czech-Swiss Research Infrastructures Initiative under the Second Swiss Contribution to selected EU Member States, administered by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic.

Key Contacts