NUM Convention 2026: A strong signal for the future of university medicine
On 21 and 22 January, over 750 participants from university medicine, research, politics and other stakeholder groups came together at the bcc on Alexanderplatz in Berlin for the NUM Convention. The event focussed on intensive exchange between the many researchers from the NUM locations: In parallel sessions, they discussed current projects, Reseach Infrastructure, interface topics and new approaches to cooperation "from the community for the community". The convention thus provided space to further intensify cross-location collaboration within the NUM.
The convention in figures
- More than 750 people interested in medical research took part in the event.
- Over 100 speakers shared their expertise.
- In 21 sessions, participants gained exciting insights into various specialist and research areas.
Political tailwind for the future of the NUM
The event set important political accents: Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär praised the NUM as a "model for success" and a "centrepiece of cooperation" and confirmed the planned continuation of the network. In his speech, Prof. Dr Heyo K. Kroemer, Chairman of the Board of Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, emphasised the importance of the NUM as one of the most important structural and system innovations in the biomedical research landscape of the past 15 years and stressed the central role of the committed community in this success.
Keynote: Multicentre research as an opportunity for university medicine
Another highlight was the keynote speech by Prof Dr Wolfgang Wick, Chairman of the German Council of Science and Humanities. He spoke out in favour of specifically strengthening multi-centre clinical research - not only as an instrument for better research, but also as an attractive and sustainable career field in university medicine.
A national biobank platform and opening up to industry
Another key topic was the opening of the NUM to industry cooperation. One of the topics discussed in a panel discussion was the prospect of a "biobank platform for Germany", which would improve access to biosamples, linked clinical data and analysis data for science and industry and enable new forms of public-private partnership.
Resonance in the media
The Deutsche Ärzteblatt, Health&Care Management (HCM), E-HEALTH-COM and Tagesspiegel Background Gesundheit & E-Health, among others, reported on the NUM Convention (including on the planned stabilisation of the NUM and the national biobank platform).
Positive feedback from participants
The accompanying evaluation (n = 138) shows that the NUM Convention 2026 resonated strongly not only with political stakeholders and the media, but also within the community itself. On a 10-point scale, the event received an average rating of 8.5. Ninety-eight percent of respondents said they would attend again. The organisation of the event (98.5% positive ratings) and the programme were highlighted in particular: 99% expressed satisfaction with the main programme and 94% with the parallel sessions. The results also underline the strong engagement of the community: 76% of respondents are involved in a NUM subproject, and 94% participated on both days of the convention.
Outlook: See you again at the NUM Convention 2027
The NUM Convention 2026 impressively demonstrated that the network is growing and working intensively on an open and sustainable research platform for university medicine in Germany. In 2027, the NUM Convention will once again provide a central stage for dialogue, networking and new impetus for joint research.
