This project has been implemented as an Integrated Research Training Group in order to serve as a structural platform for medical students, PhD students, postdocs, starting clinician scientist and interested undergraduate students participating in CRC projects.  In order to shape this program and the young scientist’s needs, a PhD/Postdoc committee had been established. It is instrumental for the organization of monthly seminar series as well as annual retreats and minisymposia. Furthermore, the Z3 project implemented a diverse fellowship program for talented medical and Master students with the goal to early engage students in skin related research.  Consequently, the Z3 project represents a pivotal activity of the CRC 829 to enforce the support, education and career development of graduate and postgraduate scientist in the field of skin research.