Call for Applications: 2026 Summer School on Systems Thinking and Innovation for NCD Prevention and Healthy Ageing
The WHO Regional Office for Europe, in partnership with Université Côte d’Azur and Ulysseus European University, has opened applications for the 2026 Summer School titled “Systems Thinking and Innovation for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases and a Healthy Ageing Population in the WHO European Region.” The programme will take place from 21–24 July 2026 in Nice, France. Designed to strengthen expertise across public health disciplines, the summer school offers participants an opportunity to deepen their understanding of systems-based approaches to noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevention and to develop innovative strategies that promote healthy ageing.
Purpose and Focus of the Summer School
The programme aims to build practical capacity among participants by exploring the theory and application of systems thinking to public health. Recognising that NCDs and their risk factors stem from complex, interconnected systems, the summer school equips attendees with tools to better analyse these relationships, identify high-impact intervention points and translate systems insights into effective policies and programmes. Participants will engage in interactive sessions, hands-on exercises and applied project work that allows them to integrate systems thinking into their own professional contexts.
Learning Objectives
The summer school supports participants to achieve several core objectives. These include developing a conceptual understanding of systems thinking theory, techniques and tools; learning to identify and analyse key issues related to NCD prevention and healthy ageing; and ensuring that any solutions proposed are rooted in user needs and community realities. Participants will also strengthen their ability to innovate within complex systems, recognise common systemic patterns and understand how to anticipate and mitigate challenges that undermine policy implementation. In addition, the programme builds skills for transferring research knowledge into policy, enabling more evidence-informed decision-making across sectors.
Target Audience
The programme is intended for PhD students, early-career and mid-career professionals, including researchers, postgraduate students, practitioners and policy-makers. Ideal applicants are individuals working in domains that intersect with public health, innovation, NCD prevention, healthy ageing or multisectoral collaboration. The summer school is particularly suited for those seeking to strengthen their ability to use systems thinking approaches to improve the design and implementation of public health policies.
Course Information
The 2026 Summer School will be held in Nice, France, from 09:00 on 21 July until 14:00 on 24 July. It will be delivered fully in person, with a maximum of 30 participants. The course language is English. Sessions will include keynote presentations, lectures, workshops and practical training grounded in real-life case scenarios. The programme will be facilitated by WHO specialists and international experts in systems thinking, NCD prevention and control, healthy ageing, innovation and multistakeholder engagement. Participants who complete the programme will receive a certificate of participation.
Curriculum Overview
The curriculum, currently being finalised, will cover a broad selection of systems thinking concepts and applied tools. Topics will include systems-based methods for NCD prevention, systems archetypes and policy scenario development, and the practical use of systems thinking tools. Other modules will focus on designing studies informed by systems approaches, decision-making tools for complex public health environments, policy innovation and the role of innovation ecosystems in health systems strengthening.
Financial Information
The summer school is offered free of charge. Lunch, coffee breaks and a welcome dinner on 22 July 2026 are included. Participants are responsible for covering their own travel expenses, accommodation and any other personal costs associated with their stay in Nice.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted by 21 November 2025. A selection panel will review all submissions, and successful applicants will be notified by 17 December 2025. Selection criteria include professional relevance to public health, innovation, healthy ageing or NCD prevention, as well as academic background, experience, the quality of the personal statement and the applicant’s potential for future collaboration.
Additional Information and Related Resources
Applicants can access the application form and related guidance materials online, including WHO’s policy guidance on systems thinking for NCD prevention and resources from the WHO Collaborating Centre for research and training on complex systems and network science. Recent news includes the launch of a new WHO collaborating centre in France dedicated to advancing systems approaches to NCD prevention.
VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSIT TO SUBMIT
For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram
Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hosting organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
