The SGBM retreat is organised every year in September by the PhD students of Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany. The school offers a dynamic interdisciplinary training program that prepares students for future scientific challenges. It has been established in close collaboration with several Research Training Groups, an International Max Planck Research School, Collaborative Research Centres and the Bernstein Centre Freiburg. The annual retreat offers an exciting chance for the students to get in touch with their fellows and is an unique blend of scientific discussions and social activities. The participant fellows present their recent project findings either in a short talk or in a poster format. This provides an excellent opportunity for the young researchers from different fields of basic and translational research to share their scientific knowledge and skills in a friendly environment. As organising team, we are extremely excited to announce the upcoming 9th annual retreat. The three days event will take place in Feldberg, from 22nd until 24th of September 2017.