GA²LEN, Global Allergy and Asthma European Network, is a Network of Excellence funded by the European Union Sixth Framework Programme for Research. The network is intended to be a lasting, independent network, to develop European integrated research in allergic diseases. GA²LEN started in 2004 and is funded for 5 years, until 2009.

The multi-annual Framework Programme for Research is one of the instruments used for the implementation of the EU research policy. It helps to organise and financially support cooperation between universities, research centres and industries - including small and medium sized enterprises. The Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) ran from 2002 to 2006; the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) will cover 2007 - 2013.

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European Commission: Research pages
European Research Council: Scientific Council
Joint Research Centre JRC
European researcher's Mobility portal
European Commission: Directorate-General Health and Consumer Protection
DG Health and Consumer Protection is in charge of both public health and food safety, the Directorate General also allocates research grants.

FP7 links

The Seventh Framework Programme for Research, FP7 will begin on 1 January 2007 and will run for seven years until 2013 with a total budget of €54.6 billion. Research in allergy and asthma is covered under 2 themes in the FP7 :
- Health theme as 'respiratory diseases including those induced by allergies'
- Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology theme

FP7 on Europa website
FP7 fact sheets 

CORDIS FP7 page
National Contact Points for FP7
CORDIS News

FP6 links

The FP6 covered the period 2002 – 2006 with a total budget of €17.5 billion
GA²LEN funded under FP6, Food Priority 5: Food Quality and Safety.

FP6 on Europa website  
CORDIS FP6 page
EU Star Projects  -  GA²LEN is a "Star Project": read more 

Further links
Other EU Research projects in Allergy and Asthma