Submit your abstract and register now: International NAKO Conference 2026 in Munich

Today marks the opening of registration and the call for abstracts for the International NAKO Conference on 3 and 4 September 2026 at the Helmholtz Munich Congress Centre. International scientists are invited to submit abstracts to present their research.

The event organised by NAKO e.V. combines the latest findings from the German National Cohort (NAKO) with other cohort studies worldwide. Interested parties can discuss the latest data updates and the data application process with the NAKO administration and scientists. Further information on abstract submission and registration can be found at www.nako.de/conference2026.

 “Large, population-based studies such as NAKO enable us to identify and understand many silent trends in the population – from environmental factors and social inequalities in health to risk factors. The International NAKO Conference in September is a warm invitation to science, politics and practice to use this foundation together to improve health in Germany in the long term and strengthen us for future challenges,” says Prof. Dr. Annette Peters, Chair of NAKO e.V.

Contributions for oral and poster presentations can be submitted from now until 15 April 2026, particularly those relating to longitudinal analyses using NAKO data, international research collaborations with NAKO, and contributions presenting the general profile of other population-based cohort studies worldwide.

In addition to keynote speeches by renowned researchers Beate Ritz from UCLA, Albert Hofmann from Harvard University and Paul Elliott from Imperial College London, the programme of the International NAKO Conference includes a Knowledge Fair with practical information on data use and data availability of the NAKO study, as well as a wide range of opportunities for networking and establishing new international collaborations.

Participation in the International NAKO Conference is free of charge, but prior registration is required. The number of participants is limited. Places will be allocated in chronological order of registration. Early registration is therefore recommended.

Media representatives are cordially invited to report on the event and can obtain accreditation and submit interview requests at presse@nako.de.

Key data

  • Event: International NAKO Conference 2026
  • Website: www.nako.de/conference2026
  • Scientific Board: Marie-Theres Huemer, Wolfgang Lieb, Annette Peters, Tobias Pischon, Tamara Schikowski
  • Date: 03.09.2026 – 04.09.2026
  • Location: Kongresszentrum Helmholtz Munich, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, D-85764 Neuherberg
  • Call for Abstracts: Abstracts may be submitted from 16 February to 15 April 2026. Notification of acceptance will be sent by 29 May 2026. Length Abstract max. 400 words.
  • Registration: from 16 February 2026. The number of participants is limited. Early registration is recommended.
  • Press contact: presse@nako.de

More information

Press contact:

Dr. Friederike Fellenberg
NAKO Gesundheitsstudie
Head of Project and Science Communication
Am Taubenfeld 21/2
69123 Heidelberg
Germany
Phone.: +49 6221 42620-62
E-mail: friederike.fellenberg@nako.de

German National Cohort (NAKO)

The German National Cohort (NAKO Gesundheitsstudie) is the largest long-term population study in Germany. Since 2014, over 205,000 randomly selected people have been medically examined and asked about their lifestyle habits in 18 study centres. At the beginning of the study, the participants were aged between 20 and 69.

The German National Cohort (NAKO) is a prospective epidemiological cohort study. The researchers observe a large group, a so-called cohort, of healthy, ill or formerly ill people over a long period of time. The aim is to use scientific analyses of the participants’ data to investigate the frequency and causes of common diseases such as cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases, to identify risk factors and to show ways of effective prevention and early detection.

The research project is supported by 26 organisations. Scientists from universities, the Helmholtz Association, the Leibniz Association and other research institutes in Germany are working together in a nationwide network. The study is being carried out by the NAKO e.V. association. It is financed by public funds from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the Helmholtz Association and the participating federal states. 

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