Introduction
The WHO Summer School 2027 in France invites applications from PhD students and early- and mid-career professionals interested in addressing complex public health challenges. Taking place in Nice from 20 to 23 July 2027, the program focuses on systems thinking and innovation for noncommunicable disease prevention and healthy ageing. Participants will explore practical approaches to analysing public health systems and connecting research with policy.
Scholarship Overview
The summer school is a four-day, in-person training program for 30 participants, with English as the language of instruction. Its learning activities include workshops, lectures, keynote presentations, practical exercises and project-based work. Participation is free, although attendees must pay for their travel, accommodation and personal expenses.
The program’s focus is the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, commonly called NCDs, and healthy ageing in the WHO European Region. Participants will examine how systems-thinking methods can support their own projects and professional responsibilities. Those who complete the program will receive a certificate of participation.
Host Country
The summer school will be held in Nice, France, bringing participants together for face-to-face learning over four days. The program runs from 20 to 23 July 2027, with a welcome dinner scheduled for 21 July. Applicants should account for the cost of staying in Nice because accommodation and travel are their own responsibility.
Host Institution or Organization
The organizers are the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the WHO Collaborating Centre at Université Côte d’Azur and Ulysseus European University. Participants will learn from WHO experts and leading international professionals working in relevant public health fields. Areas of expertise include systems thinking, NCD prevention and control, healthy ageing, public health innovation and multistakeholder engagement.
Available Fields of Study
The summer school covers interconnected areas of public health rather than a selection of degree subjects. Its curriculum is being finalized, with planned topics including systems-thinking concepts and methods for NCD prevention and control. Participants will also explore systems archetypes, policy scenarios and the practical application of systems-thinking tools.
Additional planned areas include designing studies informed by systems thinking, using decision-making tools and developing public health policy innovation. The curriculum will examine opportunities for artificial intelligence in public health and the role of innovation ecosystems. Across these subjects, the program aims to help participants analyse complex challenges, develop solutions and translate research into policy.
Scholarship Benefits
No program fee is charged for attending the WHO Summer School 2027. The organizers provide lunch and coffee breaks on each day of the summer school, along with the welcome dinner on 21 July 2027. Travel expenses, accommodation and other personal costs remain the responsibility of participants, so the opportunity should not be treated as fully funded.
The educational benefits include expert-led instruction, practical training and opportunities to work through real-life public health scenarios. Participants can develop their understanding of policy scenarios, decision-making methods and approaches to collaboration across different sectors. The program also provides opportunities to connect with researchers, health practitioners, policymakers and professionals working in related areas.
Eligibility Criteria
The program is designed for PhD students and early- and mid-career professionals. Researchers, postgraduate students, health practitioners and policymakers with an interest in public health can apply. Applicants should be interested in systems thinking and systems-based approaches to public health challenges.
Candidates with relevant professional experience in public health, innovation, healthy ageing, NCD prevention or NCD risk factors are encouraged to apply. Applicants should demonstrate relevant education and experience, together with an interest in evidence-based approaches to public health policy. They should also show potential for future collaboration in public health, innovation, NCD prevention or healthy ageing.
Required Documents
Applicants must provide a personal statement explaining their interest in the summer school. This statement should address their motivation for participating and their potential for future collaboration. Candidates must also complete the application form and supply the information requested through the official application process.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through the organizer’s official website and application portal. Before completing the form, candidates should review the program details and consider how their education, experience and interests align with its objectives. The application should highlight relevant work or study in public health, innovation, healthy ageing or NCD prevention.
Applicants should prepare their personal statement, enter the requested information and check their application carefully before submission. The completed application must be submitted no later than 23 November 2026. A selection panel will review applications using professional experience, educational background, relevant interests, the personal statement and potential for future collaboration.
Important Dates and Deadline
The application deadline is 23 November 2026, and successful applicants will be notified by 18 December 2026. The summer school itself will take place from 20 to 23 July 2027. Its included welcome dinner is scheduled for 21 July 2027.
Tips for Applicants
As general preparation advice, read the program objectives alongside the selection criteria before drafting your application. Identify specific examples from your education, research or professional work that connect with the summer school’s themes. Concrete examples can explain your relevance more clearly than broad statements about an interest in public health.
Plan your budget early, particularly for transport, accommodation and personal spending. Although the program fee and certain meals are covered, attending still involves expenses that participants must meet themselves. It is also sensible to prepare and review your application well before the deadline rather than relying on a last-minute submission.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
A useful general approach is to organize your personal statement around your background, motivation and intended use of the learning. Explain which public health questions you work on or study, and why systems thinking is relevant to them. Where appropriate, connect these interests with the planned curriculum rather than simply repeating the program description.
Support your discussion of future collaboration with realistic examples of how you would like to work with others. For instance, you could explain an interest in linking research and policy or contributing to cross-sector public health work, if these reflect your actual goals. Keep all claims accurate, distinguish your own contribution to shared projects and proofread the final application for clarity and consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the WHO Summer School 2027 fully funded?
The summer school does not charge a participation fee. Daily lunch, coffee breaks and the welcome dinner are included. Participants must cover their own travel, accommodation and other personal costs.
Who is the program intended for?
The program targets PhD students and early- and mid-career professionals. Researchers, postgraduate students, health practitioners and policymakers interested in public health can apply. Relevant education, experience, motivation and potential for collaboration are considered during selection.
Is the summer school online or in person?
The program takes place in person in Nice, France. It runs for four days, from 20 to 23 July 2027. Teaching will be in English and will include interactive and practical learning activities.
Will participants receive a certificate?
Participants who complete the summer school will receive a certificate of participation. The learning program includes workshops, lectures, keynote presentations and practical activities. Its focus is on applying systems thinking and innovation to public health challenges.
Conclusion
The WHO Summer School 2027 offers focused training in systems thinking, public health innovation, NCD prevention and healthy ageing. Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between their background, their learning goals and the program’s emphasis on collaboration. Those interested should prepare their personal statement, assess the costs they must cover and submit their application by 23 November 2026.
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