MID‐Frail News returns with this Special Issue to report on the project development meeting held in Tudela de Navarra, Spain from 16–19 April. This meeting saw the driving force behind the MID‐Frail project gathered at the Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA) in northern Spain, as they prepared to initiate the MID‐Frail programme intervention later this year. Professor Mikel Izquierdo of the Department of Health Sciences at UPNA provided a warm welcome to over 30 scientists, physicians and analysts from the 16 organisations in seven countries across Europe (Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic and the UK) who are taking part in the MID‐Frail study.

 The first day of the meeting focused on the revised version of the Study Protocol. MID‐Frail co‐ordinators Professor Leo Rodríguez Mañas and Professor Alan Sinclair were joined by Project Manager Maria Sanchiz from the Spanish Clinical Research Network (Caiber), who led a discussion of the latest refinements to this very important document. During a lively debate a number of important issues were raised and appropriate actions agreed upon. This session highlighted the need to plan well ahead in a study of 4‐years duration. The progress made is summarised in our consortium newsletter [1].

Team coordination is crucial to project delivery across consortium with such ambitious goals.The importance of the MID‐Frail study must be reflected in the development of a strong brand identity. Brand‐defining activities that are already underway include construction of the MID‐Frail homepage [2]. Our vision is to advance the impact of ageing research in meeting current and emerging challenges.

1. MID-Frail Newsletter #2
2. MID-Frail Consortium website