With the establishment of the National Genome Research Network (NGFN) in 2001, the BMBF implemented a core activity of the Federal Government within the framework of the programme for investing in the future "Research for People". This package of measures is strengthening Germany's competitiveness in one of the most important future-oriented areas of science and industry in the long term. Five diseases which affect many people are being studied: cardio-vascular diseases, cancer, diseases of the nervous system, diseases caused by environmental factors, infections and inflammations. Ethical, social and legal issues of genome research are being integrated, and a broad dialogue is being established with the general public. The second phase of the NGFN was launched in May 2004. About 300 new research projects are funded by NGFNII. The focus of this funding phase is even more on disease-oriented genome research in the areas of cardio-vascular diseases, cancer, infections and inflammations, diseases caused by environmental factors and diseases of the nervous system.