Revealing the molecular mechanisms underlying common complex diseases holds the promise of improved and targeted prediction, prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Building on unique resources and an extensive track record in disease genetic studies in Finland, the Academy of Finland Centre of Excellence in Complex Disease Genetics (CoECDG), hosted by the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) at HiLIFE and the Faculty of Medicine, aims to develop and apply a powerful, reliable and general strategy for comprehensive identification of risk and protective variants. The CoECDG will also develop and pilot strategies and lead national efforts to implement genomic findings into prevention and personalised treatment of common complex diseases.