The WHO Regional Office for Europe, the WHO Collaborating Centre at Université Côte d'Azur and Ulysseus European University are accepting applications for the 2027 Summer School in Nice, France, on systems thinking and innovation for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and a healthy ageing population in the WHO European Region. The school runs from 20 to 23 July 2027, is in person, in English, and has 30 places. It is free of charge, but participants pay for their own travel and accommodation. Applications close on 23 November 2026. This is not an Erasmus+ or ESC activity. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full call, and every detail is set out below.
Not an Erasmus+ or ESC Programme
This summer school is not part of the Erasmus+ or European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programmes. It is organised by WHO/Europe and its partners, and no Erasmus+ or ESC grant, travel reimbursement or pocket money applies. Read the cost section below before you plan your budget.
What Is the WHO/Europe Summer School 2027?
The summer school explores the theory and use of systems thinking and systems-based approaches to tackle the complex challenges of NCDs and their risk factors. Its aim is to build participants' capacity and expertise in applying systems-based methods to problem-solving and innovation, and to turn these methods into practical strategies that advance NCD prevention and promote healthy ageing.
Participants can expect:
🧩 Interactive learning
🛠️ Hands-on exercises
📂 Project-based work, including the chance to apply systems-thinking approaches to their own projects
This keeps the learning directly relevant to each participant's professional context.
Who Organises the School?
🏛️ The Division of Prevention and Health Promotion of the WHO Regional Office for Europe
🎓 The WHO Collaborating Centre at Université Côte d'Azur
🌍 Ulysseus European University
What Will You Learn?
The school will support participants to:
🧠 Understand systems-thinking theory, techniques and tools
🔎 Identify and analyse key problems related to NCD prevention and healthy ageing, so that solutions are rooted in user needs and aspirations
💡 Innovate to address challenges in NCD prevention and healthy ageing
🔁 Identify common patterns in complex systems and how to mitigate them to implement policies and strategies more effectively
📝 Develop skills to transfer research into policy
Course Information
📍 Location: Nice, France
🗓️ Dates: 09:00 on 20 July 2027 to 14:00 on 23 July 2027
🏫 Delivery: in person, 30 participants, English language
🎤 Methods: keynote presentations, lectures, workshops and practical training using real-life scenarios
👩🏫 Faculty: WHO experts and leading international experts in systems thinking, NCD prevention and control, healthy ageing, public health innovation and multistakeholder engagement
📜 Qualification: a certificate of participation
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Curriculum Topics
The curriculum is still being finalised, but it will cover topics including:
🧭 Systems-thinking concepts and methods for NCD prevention and control
🗺️ Identifying systems archetypes and developing policy scenarios
🧰 Systems-thinking tools in practice
📊 Creating systems-thinking informed studies
⚖️ Practical training on the use of decision-making tools
🏥 Policy innovation in public health
🤖 AI opportunity for public health
🌱 Innovation ecosystems
Who Is the Summer School For?
The school is designed for PhD students and early and mid-career professionals, including:
🔬 Researchers
🎓 Postgraduate students
🩺 Health practitioners
🏛️ Policy-makers
These participants should be interested in applying systems thinking and systems-based approaches to advance evidence-based policies, strengthen multisectoral collaboration and improve policy implementation through innovation. The call does not list any nationality restriction.
Costs: What Is Free and What You Pay
The summer school is provided free of charge. There is no participation fee. The programme includes:
🥪 Lunch and coffee breaks on each day
🍽️ A welcome dinner on 21 July 2027
Applicants must cover their own:
✈️ Travel expenses
🏨 Accommodation
💳 Any other costs related to their stay in Nice
Selection Criteria
Applications are reviewed by a selection panel. The criteria are:
💼 Relevant professional experience in public health, innovation, healthy ageing and NCD prevention, or NCD risk factors
🎓 Education
🗂️ Experience
✍️ Personal statement
🤝 Potential for future collaboration
Successful applicants will be informed by 18 December 2026. Find more opportunities like this one in the Others category on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the WHO/Europe Summer School 2027 free?
Yes. The school is free of charge and includes lunch and coffee breaks each day and a welcome dinner on 21 July 2027. Participants must cover their own travel, accommodation and any other costs in Nice.
Is the summer school part of Erasmus+ or ESC?
No. It is organised by WHO/Europe, the WHO Collaborating Centre at Université Côte d'Azur and Ulysseus European University. It is not an Erasmus+ or ESC activity.
When and where does it take place?
The summer school takes place in Nice, France, from 09:00 on 20 July 2027 to 14:00 on 23 July 2027. It is in person and taught in English.
How many participants will be selected?
The school has 30 places.
Who should apply?
PhD students and early and mid-career professionals, including researchers, postgraduate students, health practitioners and policy-makers interested in systems thinking for NCD prevention and healthy ageing.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. A certificate of participation will be provided.
When will I hear back?
Successful applicants will be informed by 18 December 2026.
Deadline
⏳ 23 November 2026
Links
🔗 Application form: https://extranet.who.int/dataformv6/index.php/525327?lang=en
