GLOBAL HEALTH & DEVELOPMENT POLICY ACCELERATOR

Your Fast-Track to
Shaping EU Global Health Policy

Prepare for a career in EU global health and development policy — where decisions affect billions of lives.

A selective, fully-funded week in Brussels, for professionals with a deep commitment to global health and the ambition to work on it at the highest level.

1 week in Brussels

20 Selective Peers

Expert-led by EU insiders

All Costs Covered

September 27 – October 3, 2026 | Applications open until 31st May

Apply now

A CAREER WITH REAL STAKES

Where decisions shape health outcomes for billions

The EU is the world's largest development donor, deploying €80 billion+ annually through partnerships with Gavi, the Global Fund, and WHO. European decisions on pandemic preparedness, health systems, and aid allocation shape health outcomes for billions of people worldwide.

Yet too few candidates entering EU policy careers combine the technical knowledge and deep field experience that EU institutions need to ensure that spending counts.

Your background in global health is an asset EU institutions need. This programme prepares you to put it to work:

  • Help direct billions in development assistance toward global health priorities

  • Contribute to pandemic preparedness and health security frameworks

  • Help shape EU engagement with WHO, Gavi, and the Global Fund

  • Support the direction of resources to under-addressed health challenges

Impactful Policy Careers prepares professionals with the right expertise and commitment to enter EU policy careers in this field — and to do the work well once they're there.

Here's what you'll experience:

  • EU career coaching: Tailored guidance on building careers in the European Commission, from application strategies to long-term progression

  • Brussels networking: Access to current Commission trainees and officials, plus events designed to help newcomers break into EU policy circles

  • EU recruitment preparation: Targeted training for European institutions' entry competitions, plus practical workshops on succeeding in the recruitment process

  • EU global health policy: Deep dives into the EU's role in global health and development, including current policy and emerging debates in the field

  • Practitioner insights: Workshops with global health experts from NGOs and organisations working directly with EU institutions

  • Institution visits: Behind-the-scenes access to European institutions, including meetings with policymakers and officials

What the Programme Covers

Skills you’ll develop:

  • Understanding EU decision-making processes and how to operate effectively within them

  • Navigating Commission institutional culture and working methods

  • Building relationships across DGs, member states, and external stakeholders

  • Translating evidence-based research into policy recommendations

  • Strategic career planning within EU institutional constraints

Apply (takes 10 minutes)

What you’ll learn:

EU Global Health & Development:

  • EU Global Health Strategy and its implementation

  • Health security and pandemic preparedness

  • EU development cooperation and humanitarian aid mechanisms

  • Global health financing: EU contributions to multilateral funds and partnerships

  • EU external action on antimicrobial resistance and neglected tropical diseases

  • EU-Africa health partnerships and the Team Europe approach

Who should apply?

We select candidates ready to pursue EU policy careers in global health and development — people with relevant policy, academic, technical, or field experience who haven't yet found their way into EU institutions. The programme is free of charge.

Essential Criteria

✓ EU citizenship

✓ 2+ languages: C1 level in English, French, or German plus B2 level in another European language (all participants need minimum B2 English)

✓ Bachelor's degree or higher

✓ Excellent academic records

✓ No prior work experience in any EU institution exceeding six weeks

✓ Ready to pursue EU roles within 6-8 months of completion

Essential criteria are non-negotiable. Please check carefully before applying.

What Makes You Stand Out

Academic Excellence: Master's or PhD in any field (we value degrees in rare or STEM fields); Strong academic record (scholarships, distinctions, prizes)

Professional Experience: 1-11 years of work experience
Background in global health, international development, economics, public policy, finance, or related fields

International Experience: Study, work, or volunteering experience abroad
Additional language certifications (B2 level or higher)

Demonstrated commitment to global health: shown through prior work, volunteering, research, or sustained engagement with the field.

Practical Details

All costs covered:

• Flights from anywhere in Europe
• Brussels accommodation  
• All meals and materials
• Pre-program preparation
• Post-program support

Your commitment:

• Full attendance Monday-Friday 9:00-18:00
• 2-3 evening networking events
• 5-10 hours pre-reading
• Genuine intent to pursue EU policy careers

Join us in Brussels

Join a cohort of like-minded professionals who take global health seriously

  • “It was one of the best weeks of my life”

    “After the programme, I now have a much better understanding of the next steps in my career path towards my goal.”

  • “This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

    It was amazing learning firsthand from so many impactful experts, and I am walking away with a renewed passion […] and much clearer career plans. I also learnt so much about myself and have a clearer idea of what is truly important to me in my work.”

  • “It’s a unique opportunity to be in a group of like-minded experts from so various fields, but have the same goal. The opportunity to get insights from people who made it inside the institutions is very valuable.”

  • “This week is really a turning point in my life:

    I learnt so much by meeting experts I would never have met otherwise, and by sharing important exchanges with a group of peers who allowed me to think seriously about issues I had never really addressed before.”

Brussels week

Ongoing support

Selection process

Programme preparation

Application & Programme Timeline

September 27 – October 3, 2027

Post-programme

Applications open

March - May 31

May - June

A week of intensive training, networking, and skill development at the heart of European policy-making

Additional online sessions and career guidance tailored to your needs

Whether you're selected or not, we value your time and commitment. All applicants receive specially curated career resources to support their professional development.

Submit your application and join ambitious professionals ready to build a career in EU policy

August

Three stages: 1. Online application | 2. Assessment task | 3. Interview

Selected participants receive pre-reading materials and join online orientation sessions

Your career in EU global health starts here

In EU policy, the right person in the right role can redirect millions toward evidence-based interventions that save lives at scale. Join 20 exceptional peers this September in Brussels.

Applications close 31 May 2026.

Start your application