Public health problems rarely have one cause. Diet, income, policy work and daily habits all play a part in diseases like diabetes and heart disease. The WHO Summer School 2027 teaches you how to see these links and design better policies. It takes place in Nice, France from 20 to 23 July 2027. There is no programme fee.
Applications close on 23 November 2026.
Quick Facts
Official information checked: 26 October 2026
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | WHO Summer School 2027 |
| Organisers | WHO Regional Office for Europe |
| Place | Nice, France |
| Dates | 20 to 23 July 2027 |
| Length | 4 days in person |
| Language | English |
| Places | 30 participants |
| Cost | No programme fee |
| Deadline | 23 November 2026 |
What the Summer School Is About
The programme looks at how many things work together to shape health. These include social conditions, government policy, healthcare systems, the economy and personal behaviour. You learn how a systems thinking approach can help prevent noncommunicable diseases and support healthy ageing.
The four days mix includes expert talks, interactive lectures, practical workshops and project based activities. You also get a chance to use the methods on your own research or work project.
What You Will Learn
- Systems thinking concepts, techniques and tools for preventing noncommunicable diseases
- How to spot complex public health problems and build policy scenarios
- How to use systems thinking in research and real projects
- How to use decision making tools on real-world problems
- New ways to build public health policy
- How innovation ecosystems work and where artificial intelligence can help public health
- How to turn scientific research into practical policies and strategies
Programme Benefits
- Free participation. No programme fee
- Expert teaching. Training from WHO experts and international specialists in public health systems thinking and innovation
- Meals. Lunch and coffee breaks on every day
- Welcome dinner. A dinner on 21 July 2027
- Certificate. A certificate of participation
- Practice. A chance to apply what you learn to your own project
- Network. Time with a small international group of researchers practitioners and policy makers
Who Can Apply
The school is for PhD students and early and mid career professionals. This includes:
- PhD students and postgraduate researchers
- Public health researchers and academics
- Healthcare practitioners and professionals
- Policy makers in public health or related fields
- Professionals who work on preventing and controlling noncommunicable diseases
- People who work on healthy ageing, public health innovation or related risk factors
You should be interested in using systems thinking to improve evidence based policy and policy action.
Costs To Plan For
This is not a fully funded summer school. You must arrange and pay for your own flight, your stay in Nice and your other personal costs. Check your budget before you apply. Ask your university or employer if they can support your travel.
How To Apply
- Open the official WHO application page for the 2027 summer school.
- Click to start your application.
- Complete the online application form.
- Submit it before 23 November 2026.
The call does not list the exact documents or give a date for the results. Read the form carefully. Do not book travel before you are accepted.
Mistakes To Avoid
- Thinking the programme pays for travel or hotel
- Waiting until the last week to fill in the form
- Writing a general answer about public health and not about systems thinking
- Not linking your own work or research to the summer school topics
- Booking flights before you get a decision
- Using the dates from earlier years
Key Dates
- 23 November 2026: Application deadline
- 20 July 2027 at 9:00 AM: Summer school starts
- 21 July 2027: Welcome dinner
- 23 July 2027 at 2:00 PM: Summer school ends
