On 3 and 4 September 2026, NAKO e.V. will host the first International NAKO Conference at the Helmholtz Munich Congress Centre in Neuherberg, near Munich. The two-day event will bring together the latest findings from the German National Cohort (NAKO) with insights from other cohort studies around the world.
The International NAKO Conference 2026 is focused on scientific exchange, international perspectives and the use of NAKO’s research data and biosamples. This expert event is aimed at researchers, companies and representatives of public institutions. Media representatives are invited to report on the event and to register via presse@nako.de.
“We are delighted by the huge interest from both Germany and abroad, as well as the excellent keynotes and presentations, which are presenting the results of the NAKO longitudinal data for the first time. Having collected data and biological samples with great care and to a high standard for over ten years, the priority now is to make consistent use of this data and these samples for research – for the benefit of society and our dedicated participants,” says Prof. Dr Annette Peters, Chair of the Board of Directors of NAKO e.V.
Knowledge Fair „Discover NAKO“
A key element of the programme for the International NAKO Conference is the ‘Discover NAKO’ Knowledge Fair. At more than 20 stands, conference participants can engage directly with the NAKO infrastructure and researchers on topics ranging from anthropometry to dental health, to discuss general questions, specific research ideas and practical applications. The Knowledge Fair provides a space to gain a practical understanding of the opportunities offered by NAKO and to initiate collaborations.
Impact on research and public health policy
The German National Cohort (NAKO) is Germany’s largest long-term population study. Since 2014, more than 200,000 randomly selected citizens have been undergoing repeated medical examinations and being interviewed about their lifestyle habits at 18 study centres.
„NAKO has created a unique database that is of importance for health research in Germany. It makes it possible to investigate health trends even before diseases manifest and to track changes over time. This clearly distinguishes NAKO from clinical trials. “The fact that NAKO also holds data from the period before and during the pandemic opens up further perspectives and opportunities – particularly in the context of the National Decade against Post-Infectious Diseases,” reports Professor Veronika von Messling, Head of the “Health and Life Sciences” Department at the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).
Programme and participation
In addition to keynote speakers Prof. Dr Beate Ritz (University of California, Los Angeles), Prof. Dr Albert Hofman (Harvard University) and Prof. Dr Paul Elliott (Imperial College London), the programme features a Knowledge Fair offering practical information on data use and availability, as well as two poster sessions on NAKO research and profiles of international cohort studies. On both days of the event, participants will have the opportunity to visit the NAKO biorepository as part of a guided tour. Registration takes place on site.
Attendance at the International NAKO Conference is free of charge. Advance registration via the website is required; due to the high level of interest, on-site registration is now closed. It is possible to join the waiting list via conference@nako.de. Registration for the live stream via the conference website.
Members of the press are warmly invited to attend the event. Accreditation and interview requests can be made by email to presse@nako.de.
Further information on the conference, the programme and registration:www.nako.de/conference2026
Key figures
- Event: International NAKO Conference 2026
- Website: www.nako.de/conference2026
- Scientific Board: Dr. Marie-Theres Huemer, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Lieb, Prof. Dr. Annette Peters, Prof. Dr. Tobias Pischon, Prof. Dr. Tamara Schikowski
- Date: 03.09.2026–04.09.2026
- Location: Kongresszentrum Helmholtz Munich, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, D-85764 Neuherberg
- Registration live-stream: Conference live stream – German National Cohort (NAKO)
- Host: Helmholtz Munich
Organisation: NAKO e.V. - Contact: conference@nako.de