WHO Summer School 2027 Application: Eligibility, Selection Criteria and How to Apply

The WHO Summer School 2027 Application is open to eligible researchers, postgraduate students, healthcare practitioners and policy professionals interested in public health innovation.

Organized by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe and academic partners, this four-day summer school will take place in Nice, France, from July 20 to 23, 2027.

The programme focuses on systems thinking, prevention of noncommunicable diseases and healthy ageing.

Participation is free, but only 30 candidates will be selected. Applicants must cover their own travel, accommodation and other personal expenses.

The application deadline is November 23, 2026, and successful applicants will be informed by December 18, 2026.

WHO Summer School Application 2027: Overview

Who Is Eligible for the WHO Summer School?

The summer school is designed for professionals and researchers interested in addressing complex public health problems through systems-based approaches.

The main target groups are:

• PhD students.
• Postgraduate researchers.
• Early-career health professionals.
• Mid-career public health specialists.
• Healthcare practitioners.
• Public health policymakers.
• Researchers focusing on chronic disease prevention.
• Professionals involved in healthy ageing or health innovation.

The WHO announcement does not establish a universal minimum age or academic grade requirement.

It also does not specify a minimum number of professional experience years.

Instead, selection considers the relevance of each applicant’s background and the contribution they could make to the programme.

What Academic Background Is Preferred?

Candidates with experience in public health and related disciplines are particularly relevant.

Suitable backgrounds may include:

Public Health and Epidemiology

Professionals studying population health, risk factors, preventive interventions or disease patterns.

Medicine and Healthcare

Practitioners interested in improving prevention strategies and healthcare policy.

Health Policy and Administration

Applicants involved in developing, implementing or assessing health policies and programmes.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Researchers examining how economic, social, environmental and behavioral factors influence health outcomes.

Health Innovation and Research

Professionals working on scientific or technological methods to improve public health decision-making.

These are examples of relevant fields, not an exhaustive list of approved degrees.

WHO Summer School Selection Criteria

The organizers publish several factors that the selection panel will consider.

1. Professional Relevance

Applicants should demonstrate a connection between their work and public health, chronic disease prevention, innovation or healthy ageing.

Experience in research, community programmes or healthcare systems may help establish this connection.

2. Education

Academic background is considered alongside experience.

Applicants should explain how their education prepares them to engage with the course.

3. Relevant Experience

Previous involvement in research or professional projects related to the summer school’s themes is valuable.

Candidates may describe their responsibilities, methods used and results achieved.

4. Personal Statement

The personal statement is an important part of the assessment.

It should explain why the applicant wants to participate and how the learning experience relates to their professional goals.

5. Future Collaboration

The organizers also consider the potential for future collaboration.

Applicants can explain how participating may support research partnerships, professional networks or public health programmes after the course.

How to Write a Strong Personal Statement

The public announcement identifies the personal statement as a selection criterion but does not publish a universal word limit.

Candidates should therefore follow the instructions displayed in the official application form.

A practical structure includes four elements.

Introduce Your Background

Briefly describe your current studies, research or professional position.

Explain your connection to public health.

Identify a Relevant Challenge

Describe a specific problem related to noncommunicable diseases, public health systems or healthy ageing.

For example, an applicant might work on diabetes prevention, health access or community-based interventions.

Connect Your Goals to Systems Thinking

Explain why you want to use systems-thinking methods to understand the problem more effectively.

Demonstrate familiarity with the programme’s objectives rather than repeating its title.

Explain the Expected Impact

Identify how you could apply the skills after returning to your institution or workplace.

Concrete learning goals are more convincing than vague statements about international exposure.

What Documents Are Required?

The WHO public announcement does not provide a complete mandatory document checklist.

However, candidates can prepare relevant information before starting the form.

Useful materials may include:

• Academic qualifications.
• Current professional position.
• Relevant research or employment history.
• Updated CV, if requested.
• Information about public health projects.
• A personal statement.
• Contact information.
• Any additional documentation requested by the online application.

These are preparation recommendations, not confirmation that every document must be uploaded.

Applicants should use the actual questionnaire as the final authority on required fields and attachments.

Is IELTS Required for the WHO Summer School?

The official announcement does not list IELTS or TOEFL as application requirements.

However, the training will be conducted in English.

Participants need sufficient language ability to follow lectures, contribute to discussions, complete group exercises and present their ideas.

An English proficiency certificate is not listed as a general requirement, but practical English communication remains important.

What Does the Free Training Cover?

The WHO Summer School 2027 does not charge a participation fee.

Accepted applicants receive access to:

• Expert lectures.
• Practical workshops.
• Interactive learning activities.
• Project-based exercises.
• Daily lunches.
• Coffee breaks.
• A welcome dinner on July 21.
• A certificate of participation.

The course is delivered in person, not online.

What Costs Must Applicants Pay?

The programme is not fully funded.

Participants are responsible for:

• International or domestic travel to Nice.
• Accommodation.
• Local transportation.
• Personal expenses.
• Other costs associated with their stay.

International applicants may also need to budget for visa and insurance arrangements.

Before accepting a place, candidates should verify entry requirements for France and estimate the total cost of participating.

No monthly stipend or travel scholarship is listed in the announcement.

How to Apply for the WHO Summer School 2027

The application is submitted through an official WHO-hosted online questionnaire.

Step 1: Visit the Official Announcement

Read the complete programme description on the WHO Europe website.

Confirm that your academic or professional interests are relevant.

Step 2: Open the Application Form

Use the WHO application link provided below.

The survey is available in English.

Step 3: Read the Instructions

The application includes 19 questions.

Review the instructions carefully before completing your responses.

Step 4: Enter Your Information

Provide the personal, educational and professional details requested by the form.

Step 5: Describe Relevant Experience

Focus on projects or responsibilities connected to public health, systems thinking, innovation, NCD prevention or healthy ageing.

Step 6: Complete Your Personal Statement

Explain your motivation, relevant work and potential future contribution.

Step 7: Review the Application

Check names, dates, contact details and written responses.

Step 8: Submit Before the Deadline

The application must be submitted no later than November 23, 2026.

Step 9: Monitor Your Email

Successful applicants are expected to be notified by December 18, 2026.

Selection is competitive, and submitting the form does not guarantee participation.

What Will Selected Participants Learn?

The planned curriculum covers:

• Systems-thinking principles and tools.
• Analysis of complex public health problems.
• Systems archetypes and policy scenarios.
• Practical decision-making tools.
• Policy innovation.
• Translating research into policy.
• Healthy ageing and NCD prevention.
• Opportunities for AI in public health.
• Innovation ecosystems.

The final curriculum remains under development, so specific session details may change.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Describing the summer school as an internship with a salary.
• Assuming travel or accommodation is funded.
• Submitting a generic personal statement.
• Focusing exclusively on obtaining a certificate.
• Failing to explain their relevant experience.
• Ignoring the course’s systems-thinking focus.
• Assuming IELTS is required without checking the official announcement.
• Waiting until the deadline to complete the questionnaire.
• Forgetting that participation is in person in France.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can International Applicants Apply?

The public announcement does not publish a general nationality exclusion. Candidates should review any additional form requirements and applicable French entry rules.

Is the WHO Summer School Open to Master’s Students?

Postgraduate students are among the target groups. Selection depends on the relevance of their background and experience.

Does the Programme Provide Accommodation?

No accommodation funding is announced. Participants must arrange and pay for their stay.

Is There an Application Fee?

The WHO announcement states that participation is free. It does not publish an additional training application charge.

Will Participants Receive a Certificate?

Yes. Selected participants who attend the programme receive a certificate of participation.

Final Thoughts

The WHO Summer School 2027 Application is an opportunity for researchers and public health professionals to gain practical knowledge of systems-based approaches to disease prevention and healthy ageing.

Successful candidates will need to demonstrate relevant experience, clear professional motivation and potential for future collaboration.

With only 30 places available, applicants should prepare thoughtful responses, review their travel budget and submit the official questionnaire before November 23, 2026.

Official Sources and Application

• WHO Europe — Official Summer School Announcement
• WHO — Direct Application Form
• WHO Europe — Summer School Event