Our study will describe public health research at European level, including support by national governments, and assess how it can be strengthened and most effectively integrated within European health policy. Public health research has supported the improvement of the health of European citizens in many fields - through communicable disease control, access to health care, chronic disease management, pharmaceuticals monitoring, health promotion and environmental control. Our research will engage the public health science and policy communities through the European Public Health Association,through national and European political and administrative stakeholders, and with international scientific bodies and institutions. The study will be undertaken by a consortium of European public health research experts from member states. The study will review scientific literature, investigate viewpoints and programmes of stakeholders, organise conferences and workshops, and assess the contribution of research training. It will develop understanding of quality, effectiveness and impact of public health research, and draw on evidence from outside Europe, including global health research. Three main events, in 2004, 2005 and 2006, will be linked to annual conferences of the European Public Health Association, while two workshops will address methodologies and policy implementation. Reports from participants will be integrated, and the preliminary assessment will be further consulted on with stakeholders, especially at national levels, and with European institutions. The process will contribute to developing the agenda for public health research within the Seventh Framework Research Programme.