After one year of preparation the European Proteomics Association (EuPA) was formally inaugurated on August 29, 2005, on the occasion of the 4(th) HUPO World Congress in Munich, Germany. Delegates from 16 European countries elected Dr. Friedrich Lottspeich, President of the German Proteome Society, as the first EuPA President. The EuPA Board also comprises Professor Mathias Uhlen as Vice President, along with Professor Michael Dunn (Ireland), Professor Concha Gil (Spain), Dr. Jean Charles Sanchez (Switzerland) and Professor Pier Giorgio Righetti (Italy) as Coordinators for the presently defined focus activities of the EuPA. The general objectives of the EuPA are to promote proteomic activities throughout Europe, emphasising the benefits and contribution of proteomics to biological researchers, industry, the general public and politicians.