Two workshops on cost models for biobanks

A total of 23 representatives of the German Biobank Alliance (GBA) took part in the two workshops on cost models for biobanks held in July and October. The purpose of these meetings was to develop a harmonised basis for participants to calculate costs for the services their biobank offers. The workshops were organised by Dr. Gabriele Anton (Helmholtz Zentrum München), Dr. Romy Kirsten (NCT Biobank, Heidelberg), Alexander Maier (BioMaterialBank Heidelberg) and Dr. Cornelia Specht (German Biobank Node, GBN).

Defining a cost catalogue

The participants first discussed intensively which essential elements should be included in a cost calculation. They then worked in groups to develop a catalogue for internal biobank processes, and sorted the individual steps in these processes into the corresponding cost categories. It proved far easier to identify direct costs than to determine indirect or overarching costs – for project consulting, further training or PR, for instance. In most cases, a good solution seemed to be the application of flat-rate fees for these services. Dr. Sara Nussbeck presented the cost catalogue used at the UMG Biobank in Göttingen as a helpful practical example. A checklist was also prepared during the workshops to help biobanks obtain all of the necessary information during this process. It will be published on this website soon.

Usage-dependent fee models

The participants also discussed usage-dependent fee models – and thus the question of which calculation models should apply for which user groups. Conclusive clarification could not be achieved during the workshops, hence there are plans to continue this discussion with external experts experienced in the use of cost models in other university applications.

Questions?

germanbiobanknode@charite.de

Tel. +49. 30. 450 536 347


Fax +49. 30. 450 753 69 38

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