The European Gravitational Observatory has been created in December 2000, by CNRS and INFN in order to ensure the completion and then the long term scientific exploitation of VIRGO as well as to support and foster research and collaboration in Europe in this upcoming field.
Together with the associated laboratories, EGO will operate and maintain Virgo as well as other detectors possibly placed under its responsibility. It will create and run a computing center for the on-line analysis of data, promote R&D useful for the detection of gravitational waves; carry out any other research in the field of gravitation of common interest to its Members, promote co-operation in the field of the experimental and theoretical gravitational waves research in Europe, promote contacts among scientists and engineers, the dissemination of information and the advanced training of young researchers.