YoungNAKO
With the ‘YoungNAKO’ programme, NAKO e.V. supports young talents in the field of epidemiology. The training programmes are aimed at young researchers on the one hand and non-medical study team members in epidemiological studies on the other.
Both programms are organised and further developed by a scientific steering committee in close cooperation with the scientific project managers of the German National Cohort (NAKO) and the heads of the study centres.
Graduate Programme
The YoungNAKO graduate programme aims to provide a specific training program for early-career researchers working with large-scale population-based cohort studies like the German National Cohort (NAKO). Programme graduates will be trained to design and analyse their own studies based on NAKO data, and will be prepared to apply for funding for future NAKO-associated projects.
Co-operation partner:
- Target group: The YoungNAKO graduate programme is designed for doctoral students at member institutions of NAKO e.V. who are working with population-based cohort data — preferably using NAKO-data
- Format: Face-to-face and online courses, WinterSchool to deepen learning on specific topics and for exchanging ideas in person
- Language: English, Basic knowledge of German is required for interactions with study participants
- Start second cohort: May 2026
- Duration: 20 months
- Application: YoungNako.grad@uni-muenster.de
- Application deadline: 15.03.2026
- Kick-off second cohort: On-site. Location to be announced
Contact list of participants first cohort:
Are you also interested in the graduate programme? Then feel free to contact us and ask about our experiences!
Epi Study Nurse
The training programme is aimed at investigators, data managers and laboratory team members of the German National Cohort (NAKO). Staff from other epidemiological studies can also participate. The ‘Epi Study Nurse’ course is organised as a modular training course with face-to-face modules at least once a year.
Co-operation partner:
- Target group: Non-physician team members of the German National Cohort (NAKO) and other epidemiological studies
- Format: Two two-day and one three-day classroom courses, plus two shorter online meetings and a three-day period for working on exam questions.
- Language: German
- Place for the face-to-face courses:
German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE), Potsdam-Rehbrücke - Dates: The 2026 course is fully booked. Registration for 2027 is open.
- Registration and Contact: epistudynurse@nako.de
Lead and coordination
- Prof. Dr. André Karch (Scientific Coordinator), Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Münster
- Dr. Sylvia Gastell (Lead and coordination), German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke
- Anna Röhlig (Project Manager), Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Münster
- Prof. Dr. Tamara Schikowski (Board of Directors NAKO e.V.), IUF-Leibniz Institute for Environmental Medical Research Düsseldorf