About the opportunity
The Division of Prevention and Health Promotion of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the WHO Collaborating Centre at Université Côte d’Azur, and Ulysseus European University are organizing a summer school on systems thinking and innovation for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and a healthy ageing population. The program combines interactive learning, hands-on exercises, and project-based work to build participants’ capacity to address complex public health challenges, translate research into policy, and apply systems-based methods to their professional projects.
Funding and benefits
- Provided free of charge by the organizing institutions
- Includes lunch and coffee breaks on each day
- Includes a welcome dinner on 21 July 2027
- Certificate of participation upon completion
Who can apply?
- Designed for PhD students and early and mid-career professionals
- Open to researchers, postgraduate students, health practitioners, and policy-makers
- Applicants must have an interest in applying systems thinking to advance evidence-based policies, strengthen multisectoral collaboration, and improve policy implementation through innovation
Required documents
- Personal statement
- Details of relevant professional experience, education, and experience
- Information regarding potential for future collaboration
When to apply
- Call for applications opened on 15 October 2026
- Application deadline is 23 November 2026
- Successful applicants will be notified by 18 December 2026
- Summer school takes place from 20 July to 23 July 2027
How to apply
- Prepare required application details including your personal statement and professional background
- Submit the application through the official online dataform portal by 23 November 2026
Additional information
- The summer school is limited to 30 participants
- The language of instruction is English
- Participants must cover their own travel expenses, accommodation, and any other costs related to their stay in Nice
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- An ideal match for early to mid-career professionals, health practitioners, and PhD candidates actively researching or working in public health, NCD prevention, or healthy ageing.
- A strong fit for individuals seeking practical, hands-on exposure to systems-thinking tools and decision-making frameworks that can be directly applied to ongoing professional projects.
- Well-suited for researchers and policy-makers aiming to build international networks with WHO experts and leading academics in public health innovation.
What should you think carefully about?
- Applicants must be prepared to self-fund all travel, accommodation, and personal expenses during the four-day program in Nice, France.
- Admission is highly selective, accommodating only 30 participants in total.
- The intensive in-person format requires a full-time physical commitment from 20 to 23 July 2027.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This intensive program serves as an exceptional short-term professional development milestone for anyone looking to integrate systems approaches into public health strategies or academic research. While tuition and daily catering are fully covered, participants should factor in travel and lodging costs as part of their short-term educational planning.
Our take
PhD students and public health professionals focused on noncommunicable diseases who can manage travel costs to France should strongly consider applying before the November deadline. Those unable to travel to Nice or secure personal funding for lodging will find the in-person format unsuitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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