The National Eutrophication Management Program (NEMP) has made, and continues to make, an important and useful contribution to knowledge since its commencement in August 1995. The focus of the program has been on understanding the sources of nutrients and other factors contributing to the development of algal blooms, which impose a cost of $200 million per annum on Australian water users. The program has contributed significantly to knowledge of this complex system and will establish a platform for further applied research. Implications for management are already being developed from the results of the program. The quality of the science contained in the program and the overall program management have been excellent. Improved networking and communication between researchers and catchment and water managers has also been evident.