New Year, New Beginnings: Announcing the New Leadership for the TBPPM Learning Network

As we welcome a new year, we are pleased to announce an important new chapter for the TBPPM Learning Network (TBPPM LN). After six years of stewardship by the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre supported with grants by the Gates Foundation, the leadership of the Network will transition to a new collaborative leadership model.

Beginning in 2026, iLINQ2 and the KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation will co-lead the TBPPM Learning Network, with support from the Oga-Omenka Lab at the University of Waterloo. This collaborative leadership model is intentionally designed with room to expand and include additional partners over time, strengthening the Network’s reach, diversity, and long-term sustainability.

This transition follows a global open call and a rigorous selection process assessing strategic alignment, vision, technical capacity, operational readiness, and governance of 10 proposals. Thanks to their expertise and time, the Selection Committee recommended this shared leadership approach to ensure continuity, innovation, and deeper regional engagement.

Why this collaborative leadership
The collaborative leadership of iLINQ2, KNCV TB Foundation, and the University of Waterloo brings together complementary strengths by combining practical implementation experience, strong technical and policy leadership, and a solid base of academic and research capacity. Together, they offer a balanced approach that reinforces the Network’s commitment to south-to-south learning, supports the integration of PPM within broader primary health care, and creates space to expand the coalition with additional regional, country, and technical partners over time.

In this time of global changes, with new point-of-care tests and TB vaccines on the horizon, the engagement of all frontline providers is crucial, and the Network offers a place to share lessons and accelerate action for countries. At the same time, solid evidence behind PPM strategies needs to continue to inform operations.

The new partnership paves a path for PPM into ACTION and EVIDENCE.

What this new leadership means for the Network
Together, iLINQ2, KNCV, and the University of Waterloo will:

• Guide the strategic direction and operations of the TBPPM Learning Network starting in 2026
• Uphold and strengthen the Network’s commitment to south–south learning and PPM innovation within broader primary health care
• Expand academic engagement, research collaboration, and student involvement
• Explore opportunities to bring additional organizations into the coalition as regional or thematic partners
• Assess and refine the digital platform to ensure accessibility, user-friendliness, and cost-effectiveness

Looking ahead
This new chapter marks an exciting step for the TBPPM Learning Network as it continues to grow and connect people around the world to collaborate, share knowledge, and take action. Thanks to all the organizations that participated in the open call and to the community for supporting this transition. In the coming weeks, more details will be shared about the transition timeline and ways to get involved. This new beginning provides an opportunity to build on existing momentum and further advance PPM efforts globally.