As a follow-on project for Addressing Inaccurate and Misleading Information about Biological Threats through Scientific Collaboration and Communication that was initiated in 2021 (DELS-BLS-20-07), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will convene an ad hoc planning committee to encourage scientists to create a trusted network of scientists in Southeast Asia and the U.S. who are knowledgeable in addressing inaccurate and misleading information about biological threats. The committee will help to achieve the following objectives:

• Assist scientists in operationalizing the strategy and guide that were developed as part of the existing consensus project.
• Enable scientists involved in virtual communities and scientific platforms to engage their members in addressing inaccurate and misleading information. This objective will be achieved through review and provision of small grants.
• Connect and facilitate communication among virtual scientific communities to enhance their efforts in identifying and countering false claims about biological threats.

The committee will be involved in: a) helping to develop derivative products from the strategy for creating and maintaining a trusted scientific network and guide for countering false claims about biological threats, both of which will be produced as part of the existing study. These derivative products will serve as resources to enable practical implementation of the guide; and b) reviewing proposals from scientists applying for the small grants to support their efforts in engaging their members in countering claims related to biological threats.