The European Network for Light Ion Hadron Therapy (ENLIGHT) was established in 
2002 following various European particle therapy network initiatives during the 
1980s and 1990s (e.g. EORTC task group, EULIMA/PIMMS accelerator design). 
ENLIGHT started its work on major topics related to hadron therapy (HT), such as 
patient selection, clinical trials, technology, radiobiology, imaging and health 
economics. It was initiated through CERN and ESTRO and dealt with various 
disciplines such as (medical) physics and engineering, radiation biology and 
radiation oncology. ENLIGHT was funded until 2005 through the EC FP5 programme. 
A regular annual meeting structure was started in 2002 and continues until today 
bringing together the various disciplines and projects and institutions in the 
field of HT at different European places for regular exchange of information on 
best practices and research and development. Starting in 2006 ENLIGHT 
coordination was continued through CERN in collaboration with ESTRO and other 
partners involved in HT. Major projects within the EC FP7 programme (2008-2014) 
were launched for R&D and transnational access (ULICE, ENVISION) and education 
and training networks (Marie Curie ITNs: PARTNER, ENTERVISION). These projects 
were instrumental for the strengthening of the field of hadron therapy. With the 
start of 4 European carbon ion and proton centres and the upcoming numerous 
European proton therapy centres, the future scope of ENLIGHT will focus on 
strengthening current and developing European particle therapy research, 
multidisciplinary education and training and general R&D in technology and 
biology with annual meetings and a continuously strong CERN support. 
Collaboration with the European Particle Therapy Network (EPTN) and other 
similar networks will be pursued.