The idea of the creation of a European network in vascular biology was first discussed during an educational training programme on “Advanced vascular biology” organized by A. Tedgui in Nice, October 25-27, 2001, under the auspice of the European Society of Cardiology. K. Alitalo (Helsinki), M.R. Bennett (Cambridge), S. Dimmeler (Frankurt), A. Zeiher (Frankurt), Z. Mallat (Paris) and A. Tedgui (Paris) also participated. Soon after, the 6^th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6 2002-2006) was launched, which identified "Combating major diseases" (in particular cardiovascular disease and diabetes) as a strategic objective of the priority thematic area of research "Genomics and biotechnology for health".

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The first official meeting to discuss A. Tedgui's proposal to implement a Network of Excellence (one of the novel instruments of the FP6) in vascular biology was held in Paris on February 27, 2002. Participants were P. Janiaud, INSERM representative at Bruxelles, H. Struijker-Boudier and M.J. Daemen from the Cardiovascular Research Institute of Maastricht, Maastricht, A. Zeiher and S. Dimmeler from the Department of Molecular Cardiology, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, I. Fleming from the Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, B. Levy and A. Tedgui from INSERM, Paris. The main conclusion of the meeting was that other European groups active in vascular biology and medicine should be contacted to participate in the application for a Network of Excellence in Vascular biology. A. Newby (Bristol) accepted to co-chair the initiative with Alain Tedgui, and proposed to name the network European Vascular Genomics Network (EVGN). It was adopted by the consortium, and about 40 research units responded to the invitation to join the project, which it was agreed would be directed by A Tedgui (F), with AC Newby (UK) as co-director. The Steering Committee consisted of MR Bennett (UK), MJ Daemen (NL), E Dejana (I), S Dimmeler (D), I Fleming (D), GK Hansson (S), B Lévy (F), HA Struijker-Boudier (NL) and A Zeiher (D).

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A letter of intent, submitted on June 7, 2002, focused on the fragmentation  of European vascular biology, which had excellent research groups that individually lack the critical mass to meet the post-genome challenge. The EVGN consortium consisted in 25 basic and clinical institutions (encompassing 35 academic groups), 2 biotechnology companies and 1 management company, from 10 EU Member or Associated States. The EVGN project identified three priority areas with high therapeutic potential:

1) Understanding the molecular basis of early endothelial and smooth muscle cell dysfunction, 2) Prevention of atherosclerotic plaque instability, and 3) Therapeutic angiogenesis.

The steering committee members met three times to prepare the full application: first during the ESC meeting in Berlin, September 1, 2002, then in Paris, December 11, 2002, and again in Paris, February 4, 2003. A Joint Programme of activities was finalized, and it was decided that Inserm Transfert would be given responsibility for the project management, with E. Benhamou appointed to help with this. In addition, it was decided to set-up a Summer school in vascular biology, to organize an annual EVGN conference, and to promote a European Vascular Biology Organization. Finally, the EVGN project was submitted on March 25, 2003.

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Following evaluation by the EU commission, we were informed in July 2003 that the EVGN proposal was in the short list of projects selected to start negotiations with the EU Commission, with the aim of agreeing a contract that would officially create the EVGN. A Consortium meeting was held in Paris, August 20, 2003 and an  Executive Committee was nominated, consisting of the members of the original Steering Committee, plus Carlie de Vries (Gender & Equality), John Martin (Exploitation), Tom Lüscher (Thematic area I). Negotiations were conducted in Bruxelles with Catherine Berens, scientific officer, on September 5, 2003 and the contract was later signed by all EVGN partners, entering into force on January 1, 2004. The first EVGN meeting was held in Paris, January 28, 2004.