The Collaborative Immunity Platform of the NUM (COVIM) is expanding its network of testing laboratories as of 1 July 2027. Laboratories are selected through an open, criteria-based application process. Immunological laboratories at NUM member sites are eligible to apply.
The COVIM platform provides standardised, quality-assured immune analyses for clinical and multicentre studies within NUM. As a testing laboratory, you act as part of COVIM and contribute your analytical capacity and expertise to addressing immunological research questions in German university medicine. You help to make standardised high-throughput methods possible in medical research. Through the ImmunoHub, you can analyse decentrally stored immune data across sites. At the same time, you can collaborate closely with other laboratories in COVIM and NUM to carry out first-class research.
The application period opens on 11 December 2026, and the application deadline is 4 February 2027.
Shortly afterwards, the COVIM speakers will present the platform and the application process in two identical online information sessions, held in German, and answer your questions:
- Monday, 14 December 2026, 4:00–5:00 pm (CET):To the Teams Event
- Thursday, 17 December 2026, 5:00–6:00 pm (CET): To the Teams Event
All applications are submitted using a standardised questionnaire and are reviewed and assessed against uniform criteria.
The process at a glance
- From 11 December 2026 – Publication of the complete call documents on this page, including the formal requirements and the assessment criteria.
- 14 and 17 December 2026 – Two identical online information sessions, held in German, in which the COVIM speakers present the platform and the process and answer questions.
- By 4 February 2027 – Submission of applications online.
- By 4 March 2027 – Review of the formal requirements and assessment of the applications against the previously published criteria by the COVIM speakers, with the Steering Committee and the Scientific Advisory Board having a say in the decision.
- 5 March 2027 – Notification of results to all applicants.
- 1 July 2027 – The new testing laboratories join the platform.
Questions in the meantime? Contact us at covim-netzwerk@uk-koeln.de.