The European Grid Research vision as set out in the Information Society Technologies Work Programmes of the EU's Sixth Research Framework Programme is to advance, consolidate and mature Grid technologies for widespread e-science, industrial, business and societal use. A batch of Grid research projects with 52 Million EUR EU support was launched during the European Grid Technology Days 15 - 17 September 2004. The portfolio of projects has the potential for turning Europe's strong competence and critical mass in Grid Research into competitive advantages. In this presentation, the Grid research vision of the programme and the new project portfolio will be introduced. More information: www.cordis.lu/ist/grids.