2027 WHO Europe Summer School: Systems Thinking and Innovation for NCD Prevention
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe is inviting applications for its 2027 Summer School on Systems Thinking and Innovation for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and a Healthy Ageing Population. The programme will take place in Nice, France, from 20–23 July 2027 and is designed for researchers, health professionals, policymakers and other early- and mid-career professionals working on public health challenges.
Application deadline: 23 November 2026.
The summer school is organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the WHO Collaborating Centre at Université Côte d’Azur, and Ulysseus European University. It will provide participants with practical knowledge and skills for applying systems thinking and systems-based approaches to complex NCD prevention and healthy ageing challenges.
What the Summer School Covers
The programme focuses on understanding how different factors interact to influence health outcomes. Rather than examining individual risk factors in isolation, systems thinking considers the relationships between people, institutions, policies, organizations, environments, resources, technologies and behaviours.
Participants will learn how to:
- Understand systems-thinking theories, techniques and tools;
- Identify and analyse complex problems affecting NCD prevention and healthy ageing;
- Develop innovative solutions based on user needs and aspirations;
- Identify patterns and interactions within complex systems;
- Develop policy and implementation strategies;
- Apply systems-thinking approaches to their own projects; and
- Translate research evidence into policy and practice.
The curriculum is expected to include systems-thinking concepts and methods, systems archetypes, policy scenario development, practical systems-thinking tools, decision-making methods, public health innovation, artificial intelligence opportunities in public health and innovation ecosystems.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is particularly suited to PhD students and early- and mid-career professionals working in areas such as public health, NCD prevention and control, healthy ageing, health policy, research and public health innovation.
Researchers, postgraduate students, health practitioners and policymakers interested in strengthening evidence-based policy, multisectoral collaboration and policy implementation are encouraged to apply.
Applicants will be assessed based on relevant professional experience, education, experience in public health or related fields, their personal statement and their potential for future collaboration.
Course Details
The summer school will be delivered in person in Nice, France, in English, with approximately 30 participants selected.
The programme runs from 09:00 on 20 July 2027 until 14:00 on 23 July 2027. Teaching will combine keynote presentations, lectures, interactive workshops and practical exercises based on real-life scenarios.
Participants will be taught by WHO experts and international specialists in systems thinking, NCD prevention and control, healthy ageing, public health innovation and multistakeholder engagement.
A certificate of participation will be provided upon completion.
Funding and Costs
The summer school itself is free of charge. Lunch and coffee breaks will be provided during the programme, and a welcome dinner will take place on 21 July 2027.
However, successful applicants will be responsible for covering their international travel, accommodation and other personal expenses associated with attending the programme in Nice.
Why Systems Thinking Matters for NCD Prevention
NCDs remain the leading cause of death and disability across the WHO European Region, accounting for more than 80% of deaths. Major NCDs include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases.
The challenge extends beyond healthcare. Risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use, physical inactivity and unhealthy diets are influenced by wider economic, commercial, social and physical environments.
This makes systems thinking particularly relevant. Effective NCD prevention requires cooperation between governments, health systems, municipalities, schools, workplaces, researchers, communities, civil society and other stakeholders.
The summer school therefore offers participants an opportunity to move beyond identifying individual problems and develop a broader understanding of how policies, institutions, behaviours and environments interact.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by 23 November 2026. The selection panel will review applications, with successful candidates expected to be notified by 18 December 2026.
This programme is particularly valuable for professionals seeking to strengthen their ability to connect research, policy, innovation and implementation in addressing complex public health challenges.
