• Explore biosecurity and biosafety challenges to effective research funding for outbreak preparedness and response, such as gain-of-function research, dual use research of concern, and other areas as determined by the working group.  
• Facilitate knowledge sharing between research funders on topics of mutual importance through regular convenings and other mechanisms
• Define shared principles, policies, standards, technical guidance or implementable actions, as appropriate, that research funders may implement, individually and collectively, to address the challenges identified.

GloPID-R launched its biosecurity working group in February 2026 in response to increasing policy development and interest among funders, and the risks and opportunities posed by emerging technologies to infectious disease research. The group tackles issues relating to both biosafety and biosecurity. 

In 2026, the group held several meetings on key policy areas of interest, including biosecurity and biosafety challenges during the ongoing Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak. In 2027, the group will consider the mechanisms funders can leverage to address these areas, and develop shared resources for funders.

• Andrew Hebbeler, CEPI
• Herve Raoul, ANRS-MIE
• Alice Norton, GloPID-R Secretariat

• UKRI Medical Research Council (MRC)

• European Research Infrastructure on Highly Pathogenic Agents (ERINHA)

• European Commission (EC)

• Science for Africa Foundation (SFA)

• Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology (KRIBB)

• World Health Organization (WHO)

• United States Government Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

• Wellcome Trust

• Gates Foundation