 |
WHO Summer School 2027 in France | Free Public Health Training Programme
Applications are open for the WHO Summer School 2027 in France, a four-day international training programme for PhD students, postgraduate students, researchers, health professionals, and policy-makers interested in public health and disease prevention.
The programme will take place in Nice, France, from 20 to 23 July 2027. Organised by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the WHO Collaborating Centre at Université Côte d’Azur, and Ulysseus European University, the summer school will select only 30 participants for an in-person learning experience.
The WHO Summer School 2027 will focus on systems thinking and innovation for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases and a healthy ageing population. Participants will learn how to understand complex public health challenges, develop innovative solutions, and translate research into practical health policies.
The best part is that the four-day training programme is free of charge, and there is no application fee mentioned in the official announcement. Selected participants will receive expert training, daily lunches, coffee breaks, a welcome dinner, and a certificate of participation.
However, participants must arrange and pay for their own international travel, accommodation, and other personal expenses in Nice. The application deadline is 23 November 2026, and successful applicants will be notified by 18 December 2026.
WHO Summer School 2027 in France: Quick Overview
Programme Name: WHO Summer School 2027
Host Country: France
Location: Nice, France
Organisers: WHO Regional Office for Europe, Université Côte d’Azur, and Ulysseus European University
Programme Dates: 20–23 July 2027
Duration: 4 Days
Programme Type: In-person Summer School
Available Seats: 30 Participants
Working Language: English
Main Focus: Public Health, Systems Thinking, Disease Prevention, and Healthy Ageing
Programme Fee: Free
Application Fee: No fee mentioned
Travel and Accommodation: Self-funded
Application Deadline: 23 November 2026
Selection Results: By 18 December 2026
About the WHO Summer School 2027
The WHO Summer School 2027 aims to strengthen participants' understanding of systems thinking and its application to public health challenges.
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases, affect millions of people worldwide. These conditions are influenced by interconnected factors such as healthcare systems, government policies, economic conditions, social environments, and individual behaviours.
The summer school will explore how systems-based approaches can help identify these connections and develop more effective strategies for disease prevention and healthy ageing.
Participants will learn from WHO experts and international specialists through lectures, expert presentations, interactive workshops, and practical exercises based on real-life public health challenges.
The programme will also explore how research can be translated into effective public health policies and how innovation can improve collaboration between different sectors.
Topics Covered in the WHO Summer School
The programme will cover several important areas related to public health, systems thinking, and innovation.
Expected learning areas include:
Systems-thinking concepts and methods for preventing and controlling noncommunicable diseases.
Identifying systems archetypes and developing policy scenarios.
Applying systems-thinking tools to real public health challenges.
Designing studies informed by systems thinking.
Practical training on decision-making tools.
Policy innovation in public health.
Opportunities and applications of artificial intelligence in public health.
Innovation ecosystems and multistakeholder collaboration.
Healthy ageing and strategies for disease prevention.
The curriculum may be updated, so applicants should check the official WHO announcement for the latest programme details.
Benefits of the WHO Summer School 2027 in France
The WHO Summer School is free of charge and provides participants with an opportunity to learn from international public health specialists.
1. Free Four-Day Training Programme
Selected participants can attend the entire four-day summer school without paying a programme or tuition fee. The training will take place in person in Nice, France, from 20 to 23 July 2027.
2. Learn from WHO Experts
Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experts at the WHO Regional Office for Europe and international specialists working in systems thinking, public health innovation, disease prevention, and healthy ageing.
3. Practical Workshops and Interactive Learning
The programme combines lectures, presentations, workshops, and practical exercises. Participants will explore real-life public health scenarios and learn how to apply systems-thinking approaches to their own research and professional projects.
4. Develop Public Health and Research Skills
The summer school will help participants strengthen their ability to:
Identify complex public health problems.
Understand systems-thinking methods and tools.
Develop innovative approaches to disease prevention.
Analyse policy challenges and possible solutions.
Translate research findings into practical policies.
Improve collaboration across different sectors.
5. Free Meals and Welcome Dinner
The organisers will provide lunch and coffee breaks during the programme. Participants will also receive a welcome dinner on 21 July 2027.
6. Certificate of Participation
Participants who complete the summer school will receive a certificate of participation.
7. International Networking Opportunities
The programme will bring together 30 selected participants from research, public health, healthcare, and policy backgrounds. It provides an opportunity to exchange ideas, share professional experiences, and develop connections with international specialists and fellow participants.
Important: The programme does not cover international airfare, accommodation, or other personal expenses during the stay in Nice. Applicants should consider these costs before applying.
Who Can Apply for the WHO Summer School 2027?
The WHO Summer School is designed for PhD students and early- and mid-career professionals interested in public health, systems thinking, disease prevention, and healthy ageing.
The following applicants are among the intended participants:
PhD students.
Postgraduate students.
Public health researchers.
Early-career professionals.
Mid-career professionals.
Health practitioners.
Healthcare professionals.
Policy-makers.
Professionals working in public health innovation and healthy ageing.
Selection Criteria
Applicants will be assessed based on their background, relevant experience, and potential to contribute to public health innovation.
1. Relevant Professional Experience
Experience in public health, innovation, healthy ageing, noncommunicable disease prevention, or NCD risk factors will be relevant to the selection process.
2. Educational Background
Your education and academic background will be considered in relation to the programme's subject areas.
3. Personal Statement
Applicants should explain their interest in the summer school, relevant experience, and how they expect to use the knowledge gained through the programme.
4. Potential for Future Collaboration
The selection process will also consider applicants' potential to contribute to future collaboration in public health, research, policy development, and innovation.
Is There an Age Limit or Nationality Restriction?
The official announcement does not specify a particular age limit or a restricted list of eligible countries. It also does not state a minimum number of years of professional experience.
Applicants should review the official application form and selection criteria for any additional requirements.
Required Documents for the WHO Summer School 2027
The official announcement highlights education, professional experience, and a personal statement as important selection considerations.
Applicants should prepare relevant information before completing the online form. This may include:
Personal and contact information.
Educational background.
Relevant professional or research experience.
Details of work in public health, disease prevention, healthy ageing, or innovation.
A personal statement explaining your motivation for attending.
Information about current projects and potential for future collaboration.
Any additional documents requested in the official application form.
Follow the application form carefully because the organisers may request specific information or supporting documents.
How to Apply for the WHO Summer School 2027 in France?
Interested applicants can apply online through the official WHO application form. Follow these steps to complete your application.
Step 1: Read the Official WHO Announcement
Visit the WHO Regional Office for Europe website and read the complete summer school announcement.
Official announcement:
Understand the programme objectives, curriculum, selection criteria, and financial arrangements before applying.
Step 2: Open the Online Application Form
Visit the official WHO application portal using the direct link below:
https://extranet.who.int/dataformv6/index.php/525327?lang=en
Step 3: Complete Your Personal and Academic Information
Enter your personal details, educational background, and relevant professional or research experience.
Make sure your information is accurate and clearly connected to the programme's focus areas.
Step 4: Prepare Your Personal Statement
Explain why you want to participate in the WHO Summer School and how the training relates to your academic, research, or professional goals.
Highlight relevant experience in public health, disease prevention, healthy ageing, systems thinking, or innovation. Explain how you could apply the knowledge gained through the programme to your current work or future projects.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Review the application form and provide all requested information and documents. Submit your application through the official portal before the deadline.
There is no application fee mentioned in the official announcement.
Step 6: Wait for the Selection Results
A selection panel will review the submitted applications. Successful applicants will be informed by 18 December 2026.
If selected, follow the organisers' instructions regarding confirmation, travel arrangements, accommodation, and participation in the summer school.
WHO Summer School 2027 Application Deadline
The application deadline for the WHO Summer School 2027 in France is 23 November 2026.
Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel, and successful candidates will be notified by 18 December 2026.
Application Deadline: 23 November 2026
Selection Notification: 18 December 2026
Programme Start: 20 July 2027
Programme End: 23 July 2027
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the WHO Summer School 2027 fully funded?
No. The training programme is free of charge, but it is not fully funded. The organisers provide training, lunches, coffee breaks, a welcome dinner, and a certificate. Participants must pay for their own travel, accommodation, and other personal expenses in Nice.
2. Is there an application fee for the WHO Summer School 2027?
The official announcement does not mention an application fee. The programme itself is provided free of charge.
3. Where will the WHO Summer School 2027 take place?
The summer school will take place in Nice, France, from 20 to 23 July 2027.
4. How many participants will be selected?
The programme will select 30 participants for the in-person summer school.
5. Who is eligible to apply?
The programme is designed for PhD students and early- and mid-career professionals, including researchers, postgraduate students, health practitioners, and policy-makers interested in public health and related fields.
6. Do I need IELTS or TOEFL to apply?
The official announcement does not specify an IELTS or TOEFL certificate requirement. However, the programme will be delivered in English, so applicants should be able to participate in English-language lectures, workshops, and discussions.
7. Does WHO provide accommodation and airfare?
No. Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses, accommodation, and other costs associated with staying in Nice.
8. When will the selection results be announced?
Successful applicants will be informed by 18 December 2026.
9. What is the main topic of the WHO Summer School 2027?
The programme focuses on systems thinking and innovation for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases and a healthy ageing population in the WHO European Region.
Final Thoughts
The WHO Summer School 2027 in France offers a learning opportunity for PhD students, researchers, health professionals, and policy-makers interested in improving public health.
Through expert lectures, interactive workshops, and practical exercises, participants will explore how systems thinking and innovation can help address noncommunicable diseases, improve health policies, and support healthy ageing.
Although the programme does not cover travel and accommodation, it provides four days of free training, meals, networking opportunities, and a certificate of participation.
If your academic or professional background matches the programme's focus, review the official requirements and submit your application before 23 November 2026.
Direct Application Link:
https://extranet.who.int/dataformv6/index.php/525327?lang=en
Official WHO Announcement:
