Applications are open for the WHO Summer School 2027 in Nice, France. Organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe in collaboration with partner institutions, this four-day programme will bring together researchers and professionals interested in public health, systems thinking, and innovation.
The summer school is designed for PhD students, researchers, healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and other professionals working to improve health outcomes. Participants will explore practical approaches to preventing noncommunicable diseases, developing effective health policies, and promoting healthy ageing.
Selected applicants will receive free access to the training sessions, meals during the programme, and a certificate of participation. However, participants must cover their own international travel, accommodation, and other personal expenses.
If you are pursuing a career in public health or contributing to research and policy development, this programme offers an opportunity to learn from international experts and exchange ideas with professionals from different backgrounds.
WHO Summer School 2027: Overview
- Host organisation: World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe and partner institutions
- Programme location: Nice, France
- Duration: Four days
- Dates: July 20–23, 2027
- Format: In-person
- Working language: English
- Expected participants: 30
- Participation fee: Free for selected participants
- Application deadline: November 23, 2026
- Target audience: PhD students, researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers
About the WHO Summer School 2027
The WHO Summer School focuses on systems thinking and innovation for preventing noncommunicable diseases and supporting healthy ageing.
Noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory conditions, and diabetes, are influenced by multiple interconnected factors. These may include living conditions, economic circumstances, government policies, healthcare access, environmental influences, and individual behaviours.
The programme will introduce participants to methods for understanding these connections and developing more effective public health interventions.
Through expert presentations, interactive sessions, practical workshops, and project-based activities, attendees will examine how systems thinking can help address complicated health challenges.
Participants will also have opportunities to explore how these approaches can be applied to their own research, professional responsibilities, and policy initiatives.
Financial Benefits
The WHO Summer School offers free participation for selected applicants. The available benefits include:
- Free training: No programme participation fee is charged to selected attendees.
- Expert-led sessions: Learn from specialists in public health, systems thinking, and innovation.
- Meals: Lunch and coffee breaks are provided during the programme.
- Welcome dinner: A welcome dinner is scheduled for July 21, 2027.
- Certificate: Participants will receive a certificate of participation.
Is the WHO Summer School Fully Funded?
No. Although participation in the training is free, the programme is not fully funded.
Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own:
- International or domestic flights.
- Accommodation in Nice, France.
- Visa application fees and related expenses, where applicable.
- Travel insurance and other personal costs.
- Meals and expenses not covered by the organisers.
Applicants should consider these costs before applying, particularly if they need to travel internationally.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is intended for people whose academic or professional activities relate to public health, research, healthcare, policy, or innovation.
Potential applicants include:
- PhD students and postgraduate researchers.
- Public health researchers and academics.
- Healthcare practitioners and professionals.
- Policymakers working in public health or related areas.
- Professionals involved in preventing and controlling noncommunicable diseases.
- Specialists working on healthy ageing and public health innovation.
- Individuals researching relevant health risk factors and policy interventions.
Applicants should demonstrate a genuine interest in the programme’s themes and explain how the training could contribute to their research, professional work, or future projects.
Review the official announcement for the complete eligibility conditions before submitting your application.
What Will Participants Learn?
The WHO Summer School will explore several areas of public health research and practical policy development.
1. Systems Thinking for Public Health
Participants will learn how to examine relationships between different factors that influence health outcomes and use systems-based methods to understand complex problems.
2. Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases
The programme will consider how systems thinking can support more effective strategies for preventing noncommunicable diseases and reducing associated risk factors.
3. Public Health Policy Development
Attendees will explore methods for identifying public health challenges, developing policy scenarios, and assessing possible interventions.
4. Research and Practical Applications
Participants will learn how to apply systems-thinking tools to research questions, professional projects, and real-world public health problems.
5. Decision-Making and Innovation
The training will examine decision-making approaches and innovative solutions that can help address complex health challenges.
6. Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Ecosystems
Participants will explore innovation ecosystems and potential opportunities involving artificial intelligence in public health.
7. Translating Research into Policy
The programme will discuss how scientific findings can be transformed into practical strategies, policies, and interventions that improve health outcomes.
Programme Dates, Schedule, and Location
The summer school will take place in Nice, France, over four days.
- Opening date: July 20, 2027, at 9:00 a.m.
- Closing date: July 23, 2027, at 2:00 p.m.
- Venue: Nice, France
- Format: In-person
- Language: English
Participants should plan to arrive in sufficient time for the opening session and make appropriate arrangements for their departure after the programme ends.
How to Apply for the WHO Summer School 2027
Applications must be submitted online through the official application process.
Step 1: Read the official announcement
Visit the WHO Regional Office for Europe website and review the programme description, eligibility requirements, and application instructions.
Step 2: Assess your eligibility
Confirm that your academic background, research interests, or professional experience align with the programme’s focus on systems thinking, public health innovation, noncommunicable disease prevention, and healthy ageing.
Step 3: Prepare your application
Provide accurate information about your qualifications, current work, relevant experience, and reasons for wanting to attend. Explain how the training could benefit your research or professional activities.
Step 4: Complete the online application form
Use the application link provided through the official WHO announcement. Complete all required sections and check your responses before submission.
Step 5: Submit before the deadline
Ensure that your application is submitted by November 23, 2026. Avoid waiting until the final day in case you encounter technical difficulties.
Step 6: Plan your travel budget
If selected, remember that free participation does not mean your flight, accommodation, or visa expenses will be covered. Begin assessing these costs before making travel commitments.
VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY
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