In August 1996, Phase III began when cooperative agreements were awarded to a consortium of seven investigator-initiated grants to conduct molecular genetic and genetic epidemiology studies using data collected during Phases I and II. Phase III ended in July 2001. The objective of Phase III was to perform molecular genetic and genetic epidemiology studies using the extensive data on family and medical histories, risk factors, life style, blood specimens, and banked DNA previously collected by the FHS. Studies included novel molecular genetics of candidate genes and genome-wide searches with anonymous markers for the detection, mapping, and characterization of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis genes. Genetic epidemiology analyses were conducted that contributed new information on the familial aspects of atherosclerosis and intermediate phenotypes in African Americans. Phase III also included four field centers, a central laboratory, a molecular genetics laboratory, and a coordinating center.