If you are working on global health equity — whether as a community health worker, researcher, advocate, or policymaker — the World Health Summit (WHS) 2026 in Berlin might feel like an impossible dream.
Flights. Hotels. Visa costs. Registration fees.
But not anymore.
The World Health Summit is offering a Stipend & Fellowship Program that covers all major expenses for up to 15 individuals from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) — plus people with lived experience relevant to global health — to attend the summit in person from October 11–13, 2026.
This is not a “travel grant lottery” with hidden costs. It is a genuinely fully funded opportunity. Below is everything you need to know, plus actionable tips to make your application stand out.
What the Stipend Covers (Yes, It’s Generous)
The World Health Summit does not just give you a discount code. They actively arrange and pay for:
| What is included | Details |
|---|---|
| ✈️ Round‑trip flights | Economy class, most economical direct route |
| 🏨 Hotel accommodation | 4 nights (October 10–14), walking distance to the venue, including breakfast |
| 🎫 Full summit registration | Access to all open sessions (food & beverages included) |
| 🚇 Local transport | Reimbursement up to 200€ (e.g., subway, buses within Berlin) |
| 🛂 Visa & passport costs | Reimbursement up to 200€ (with original receipts) |
| 🥂 Kick‑off reception | Invitation to the special pre‑summit event on Saturday, October 10 |
✅ What is not covered: mini‑bar, extra nights, double occupancy upgrades, flight rebooking fees, travel insurance, or any incidentals beyond the stated reimbursement caps.
You will be a full participant, not a speaker. That means you get to learn, network, and influence global health discussions — without the pressure of presenting unless you later arrange that separately.
Who Is Eligible? Two Clear Pathways
You can qualify in either of two ways:
Pathway 1 – From a low‑ or middle‑income country
- You must hold the nationality of and reside in a country classified as low‑ or middle‑income according to the World Bank 2025–2026 categorization (the list is public — check if your country is there).
- This is the classic LMIC eligibility, focusing on geographic and economic representation.
Pathway 2 – Lived experience (from any country)
- Even if you are from a high‑income country, you can apply if you have direct, personal lived experience relevant to global health challenges. This might include:
- Being a patient or survivor of a neglected tropical disease
- Having experienced barriers in mental health, maternal health, or disability systems
- Working as a community health advocate from an under‑resourced setting
- Former refugee or internally displaced person with health system insights
⚠️ “Lived experience” must be demonstrated in your application — not just claimed. Use your motivation letter to tell a specific, credible story.
Common requirements for both pathways:
- English fluency (summit language is English)
- Eligible for a short‑term Schengen visa (the summit provides an invitation letter, but cannot guarantee visa issuance — apply early)
- Completed application including:
- Personal info (nationality & country of residence)
- Motivation letter (1–2 pages, font size 11)
- CV
- Proof of activity in global health (e.g., work contract, advocacy group membership, letter of recommendation)
How to Apply (Step by Step)
The application is only online via the designated form (no email attachments).
🔗 Main application portal: https://www.worldhealthsummit.org/events/annual-whs
(Look for the “Stipend & Fellowship Program” link on that page — the form may be directly embedded or linked from there.)
Step 1 – Prepare your documents before opening the form
- Motivation letter (1–2 pages, 11‑pt font) – see writing tips below
- CV (max 2–3 pages, focus on global health relevance)
- Proof of activity – this can be a letter from your employer/volunteer organization, a membership certificate, a screenshot of a project you led, or a brief reference letter
Step 2 – Fill the online form
- You will enter your name, country of nationality, country of residence, and contact details.
- Upload the three documents (PDF or Word, as specified).
- Double‑check that your email address is correct — all communication will be by email.
Step 3 – Submit as early as possible
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- The program closes once all 15 spots are filled — not on a fixed final date.
- If you wait, the opportunity may disappear.
🔁 If more fitting applications exist than spots, a lottery will be used, with multiple drawings to ensure regional diversity. So even if your letter is strong, submit early to enter the lottery pool.
Step 4 – If selected
- You will receive an email with instructions. You must confirm acceptance quickly; otherwise, the next person on the waitlist will be chosen.
- The World Health Summit will then book your flights and hotel, send a visa invitation letter, and explain the reimbursement process for visa/passport and local transport.
- You will also agree to:
- Complete a post‑summit evaluation survey
- Participate in communication activities (e.g., write a short report, record a video, or post on social media about your experience). The communications team will support you.
How to Write a Winning Motivation Letter (1–2 Pages)
The quality of your motivation letter is the main differentiator before the lottery stage. Here is a simple structure that works:
Paragraph 1 – Hook + who you are
“I am a community mental health worker from rural Maharashtra, India, where one psychiatrist serves 500,000 people. I have seen patients travel six hours for a 15‑minute prescription.”
Paragraph 2 – Your concrete activity in global health
- Name specific projects, campaigns, research, or advocacy.
- Example: “I co‑founded a local task force that trained 40 village health volunteers in basic mental first aid. Our pilot reduced stigma‑related dropouts by 30%.”
- Include proof (you will upload a separate document, but mention it here).
Paragraph 3 – Why the World Health Summit matters for you
- Which themes interest you? (Look up the WHS 2026 preliminary agenda — often includes pandemic preparedness, climate & health, digital health, health financing, equity.)
- Be specific: “I want to learn how South Africa’s TB digital adherence program was scaled, so I can adapt it to our migrant population.”
Paragraph 4 – What you will bring and do after
- Show you are not just a taker. Example: “After the summit, I will share key learnings through a free webinar for 10 local NGOs and publish a one‑page summary in our state health newsletter.”
- Mention willingness to participate in the required communication activities (report, video, social media).
Paragraph 5 – Close with logistics
- Confirm your English fluency, ability to apply for a Schengen visa, and that you have read the “important remarks” (especially the lottery clause).
Style tips:
- Use font size 11, single spacing, clear headings.
- Keep it to 1.5 pages maximum — reviewers appreciate brevity.
- Proofread for simple English errors (free tools: Grammarly, LanguageTool).
Important Remarks You Must Not Ignore
Based on the screenshots you provided, these are critical:
| Rule | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Rolling review & early closure | Apply today, not “next week.” The form could close after 15 acceptances. |
| Lottery for final selection | Even an excellent application can go to lottery if there are many good ones. Submit early to be in the drawing. |
| Stipend recipients are not speakers | You attend as a participant — no expectation to present, but you can still ask questions and network actively. |
| Reimbursement requires original receipts | Keep every receipt for visa, passport, train tickets, etc. Take photos immediately. |
| Visa is your responsibility | The summit provides a letter, but cannot force approval. Apply for the visa as soon as you receive acceptance. |
| Communication commitment | You must agree to help with WHS corporate and personal channel content (e.g., a LinkedIn post or short video). This is not optional. |
Strategic Timeline (Act Now)
| Action | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Prepare CV & motivation letter | Within 3 days |
| Apply online | As early as possible — rolling cutoff |
| If selected, apply for Schengen visa | Immediately upon receiving invitation letter |
| Travel to Berlin | October 9–10, 2026 |
| Summit dates | October 11–13, 2026 |
⚠️ Flights and hotel are booked by WHS — do not book anything yourself unless instructed.
Frequently Asked Questions (Short Answers)
Q: Can I apply if I am a student?
A: Yes, as long as you can provide proof of activity in global health (e.g., volunteer work, research assistant role, student advocacy group membership).
Q: Do I need a formal letter of recommendation?
A: The requirement says “proof of activity” — a letter of recommendation is one acceptable form, but a membership certificate, project screenshot, or employment contract also works.
Q: What if my country is not on the World Bank LMIC list?
A: Then you must qualify under “lived experience.” Clearly describe how your personal background gives you unique insight into global health inequities.
Q: Can I bring a family member or partner?
A: No. The stipend covers only the selected participant. Hotel room is single occupancy.
Q: I missed this year. Will it happen again?
A: The World Health Summit has offered similar stipends in previous years, but there is no guarantee for 2027. Apply now.
Final Word: This Is a Rare Door — Walk Through It
Fifteen fully funded slots for the entire world is a small number. But the fact that they include lived experience as a separate eligibility track means the selection committee truly wants diverse voices — not just official titles.
You do not need to be a professor or a minister. You need to show genuine global health activity and a clear reason why being in Berlin will multiply your impact back home.
So write that motivation letter this week. Ask a friend to review it. Then apply.
🌍 Application link: https://www.worldhealthsummit.org/events/annual-whs
📅 Summit dates: October 11–13, 2026 | Berlin, Germany
⏳ Rolling deadline — closes when 15 are selected.
Good luck. And if you win the stipend, come back and tell us how it went.