The aim of the symposium “The National Educational Panel Study: Design and Research Potential” which is organized by Professor Blossfeld and Dr. Jutta von Maurice is to present the main features of the NEPS and in this context to spotlight some central subjects and relevant pedagogical research fields. The main features of the National Educational Panel Study, the conception of a selected range of topics, the development of instruments, the characteristics of certain target populations and first results of the pilot studies will be discussed. The symposium takes place on February 28, 2011, 1:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the University of Bamberg (room M3/232N).