Following the mobilisation of critical R&D mass on vehicle passive safety in EU Thematic Network projects like PSN & EVPSN2, this Network of Excellence (NoE) on aims at a durable integrated European vehicle passive safety research & implementation program and creation of a Virtual Centre of Excellence (VCE). The Member’s expertise varies from vehicle, body parts and restraint system manufacturers, computer modelling and software companies to international, research and educational organisations like universities and crash test and biomechanical research institutes. It is the ultimate aim of the NoE is to strive for the creation of a permanent organisation (VCE) in the field of passive safety for road transport at European level. Activities of the NoE will start building a business model for this. The “phases” of the NoE (incl. the phases of integration activities), will be reflected in the 1st and subsequent Joint Programme of Activities (JPA) (to be revised every 12 months). The proposed JPA for the 1st phase is focussed on spreading of excellence, investigating integration opportunities and the design and preparation for the subsequent JPA’s. It is structured around 9 work packages, one containing 5 Working Groups (Real-world Accident & Injury Data; Biomechanics, dummy development & test methods; Virtual testing & modelling; Material technologies & vehicle structural crashworthiness; Integrated safety) and 5 User Groups (Passenger cars, pedestrians & children; Motorcycle safety; Heavy vehicles; Road infrastructure & Services; Non-road safety). Content 1st JPA: Spreading of excellence; Joint research programmes; Management activities; Mapping of competence; Database development; Harmonisation & standardisation; Harmonising running & future research programmes; Demands for new technology developments; Development of integrated education & training programmes; Development of new electronic working methods; Investigating creation of a permanent org’.