The Advisory Forum advises the Director of the Centre on the quality of the scientific work undertaken by ECDC. It is composed of senior representatives of national public health institutes and agencies, nominated by the Member States on the basis of their scientific competence, and a public health official from the European Commission. The European scientific associations and civil society groups also send observers to the Advisory Forum. The ECDC Director invites WHO to attend the meetings to ensure synergy in the work. As well as supporting ECDC’s scientific work, the Advisory Forum is also a mechanism for exchanging information, pooling health knowledge and furthering public health cooperation. The Advisory Forum meets at least four times a year.

According to Article 18 of the Founding Regulation, the Advisory Forum shall be composed of members from technically competent bodies in the Member States which undertake tasks similar to those of the Centre, on the basis of one representative designated by each Member State recognised for his/her scientific competence, as well as three members without the right to vote nominated by the Commission and representing interested parties at European level, such as non-governmental organisations representing patients, professional bodies or academia. Representatives may be replaced by alternates, appointed at the same time.