The University of Cologne has a long-standing tradition and world-wide reputation as a hot spot of top-level molecular biological research. In 2001, the International Graduate School in Genetics and Functional Genomics was established as a joint institution of the Institutes of Botany, Developmental Biology, Genetics and Biochemistry. Initiated and funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the Graduate School offered a fast-track, high-level PhD program for students with excellent qualifications. It was one of seven NRW International Graduate Schools in the fields of science and technology. In 2008 the program underwent transformation, adapting to the changing scientific environment in Cologne which resulted in the establishment of the new International Graduate School in Development Health and Disease. Together with other PhD programs located in Cologne they are associated in the "umbrella organization" - Graduate School for Biological Sciences.