OCTOBER 2026

Information pack for countries participating in HUF

Health Union Fellowship – Call for Nominations for the Cohort 3

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Table of contents

1 Introduction of the HUF programme

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Fellow and mentor nomination process

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3

Outlook for Cohort 3

Contact information

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Table of contents

1 Introduction of the HUF programme

4

Fellow and mentor nomination process

2

3

Outlook for Cohort 3

Contact information

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Empowering public health policy experts to effectively navigate EU health policies

Fellowship Characteristics

Content sessions, applied learning and networking

34 Fellows

5 live workshops

Ongoing mentoring

Annual Forum & Alumni network

Individual and joint reflection

Selected Key Themes

• EU health policymaking, governance and European cooperation in health

• Implementation of the European Health Union: Instruments and Frameworks

• One Health

• Health security

• Health promotion and disease prevention

• Health system resilience and sustainability

• Digital health transformation, European Health Data Space and AI in health

• Knowledge brokering and stakeholder engagement

• Health Technology Assessment

• Biotechnology, Medicines and Medical Devices

• Global Health

Capability-building program of the European Commission for health policy professionals working within Ministries of Health or other national health bodies across Europe

51. The Lancet (2024); 2. European Council on Foreign Relations (2020); 3. European Commission (2024)

Why the Health Union Fellowship matters for Europe’s future? The Fellowship will bring our Health Union even more to life by

providing a platform for mutual learning, best practice and knowledge sharing, as well as ongoing and informal exchange between Member States and EU4Health Associated Countries

The Fellowship complements existing programmes by offering practice- oriented training and strengthening a thriving community of health experts from Member States and EU4Health Associated Countries

COVID-19 demonstrated the need for unified efforts across Europe in addressing the biggest health challenges of our time1,2 – e.g., medicines/medical devices supply, digital cross-country collaboration

The European Health Union is instrumental in better preventing and responding to health threats among our citizens, strengthening health system resilience3 (incl. crisis preparedness, a sufficient workforce, and secure supply of medicines and medical devices), as well as supporting innovation and competitiveness in health

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Agenda

Objective of the HUF |We aim to strengthen the Health Union for a healthier future

"The mission of our Health Union spans beyond health emergencies. We constantly face common health challenges that require joint European solutions."

Ursula von der Leyen, April 2024

… connections over a one-year programme with a new cohort starting every year embedded in a growing alumni network

Reliably sustain

Informally engage

… with an EU-wide network to discuss health (system) challenges and explore potential solutions, while setting the foundation for even stronger collaboration

… EU health policies by leveraging national experts' in- depth knowledge and insights into EU policy governance, processes, and priority topics

Proactively contribute to

… national experts in navigating the EU health policy landscape and in exchanging success stories, best practices, and challenges with an EU-wide community

Further enable

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Fellowship structure |The different elements of the Fellowship will foster mutual learning and knowledge sharing within our community

Provide knowledge and enable community building for fellows

• Multiple training sessions on key EU health policy areas

• Fellow-led sessions and panel discussions and diverse opportunities for peer exchange

In-person workshops

Offer opportunity to build a trusted community with a shared language

• Focused on community building, incl. stakeholder networking

• Continued growth beyond each cohort in the alumni network

Community building and networking

Provide opportunities to jointly tackle EU health challenges

• Understand EU health priorities through real-world examples

• Embedding theory in practice

• Foster fellow exchange through practical application

Real-life case studies

Support fellows through dedicated mentors and training team • One mentor for each fellow to

support learning experience

• Support structure provided to both fellows and mentors

Ongoing mentoring

Celebrate the third cohort in a closing event

• Reflection on the fellowship and welcome to the alumni network

• Opportunity for networking and health policy discussions

Annual Forum

Enable fellows to reflect on their learning experience

• Reflection on lessons learned in short report and joint discussion

• Feedback from cohort feeds into concept for subsequent years

Individual and joint reflection

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Fellows from Member States and EU4Health Associated Countries • Form the core of the Fellowship as Cohort 3

Mentors from Member States and EU4Health Associated Countries • Support the Fellows in their learning experience

Advisory Board (nominated senior stakeholders) • Provide strategic guidance and evaluate Fellowship outcomes

Fellowship training team • DG SANTE/HaDEA as orchestrator with support from group

led by Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Alumni network • Former fellows who contribute as speakers and mentors, and

shape initiatives to sustain HUF community engagement beyond the programme

Stakeholders | Fellows are at the core of the Health Union Fellowship, embedded in a network of multiple supporting actors

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Table of contents

1 Introduction of the HUF programme

4

Fellow and mentor nomination process

2

3

Outlook for Cohort 3

Contact information

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Concept Cohort 3

Building Foundations

• In-person workshops: Structured learning on EU health policy and priorities with five face-to-face training sessions and self-paced digital learning

• Ongoing mentoring: One mentor for each fellow to support learning experience, supported by training team

Fellows acquire knowledge, skills, andpersonal guidance

1 Applying & Connecting2

Sharing & Reflecting3

• Real-life case studies: Tackle current EU health challenges together while strengthening knowledge and practical skills

• Community building: Creating a trusted network with embedded community building activities and alumni network

Fellows move from theory to practice, forming lasting bonds

• Annual Forum (Brussels) & Health Policy Conference: Opportunity for visibility and networking with key stakeholders and other EU health communities

• Individual & joint reflection: Reports, discussions, feedback loops

Fellows contribute insights back to the EU health community

Fellows create lasting EU health impact

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Timeline | The third cohort will start in January 2027

WS4 (3 days)

23-25 Nov

WS1 (4 days)

2-5 Feb

2027

18 Dec

Cohort announce- cement

Deadline for fellow and mentor nomination

4 Dec

18–21 Jan

WS5 (4 days)

Nov

Nomination procedure

Digital events In-person events

2028

Tentative timeline of workshops and meetings

Key admin dates

13–16 Apr

WS2 (4 days)

Online kick-off

19 Jan

Mid-term check-ins

June

WS3 (4 days)

Sep/Oct

In-person workshop learning is supported by foundational self-paced digital learning in a reverse classroom approach

WS3: Participation in EHFG still subject to confirmation

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Table of contents

1 Introduction of the HUF programme

4

Fellow and mentor nomination process

2

3

Outlook for Cohort 3

Contact information

13

Call to action | Country nominations by 4 December enable the launch of Cohort 3

Please, nominate up to three fellow candidates and one mentor in line with this guidance by 4 December 2026 (see details on the following pages)

Based on your inputs, DG SANTE will validate the nominations in December and will communicate the selection outcome by 18 December 2026

For the selected fellows and mentors the onboarding will take place as a virtual kick-off meeting in 19 January 2027

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Recommended fellow profile | Fellowsbring national experience and EU policy exposure

Ideal Fellow Profile

• Mid-career MoH/agency professional engaged in EU health policymaking

• Experience in the national health sector

• Exposure to EU health policymaking

• Current focus on an EU priority topic

• Demonstrated leadership responsibility

• English proficiency (min. C1)

Benefits

Build a strategic network across EU institutions

Tasks • Participate in all in-person workshops and follow digital

learning materials

• Join a virtual mid-term check-in with the training team

• Complete mid-term and final fellowship reports

• Actively participate through case studies, group exercises and fellow-led sessions on EU policymaking

• Connect and exchange knowledge with peers

• Continue contributing via the alumni network

• 20 training days + travel (4/3 days of training per WS + self-paced online material + travel time)

Gain deep EU health policy expertise

Accelerate career in public health leadership

Join alumni network for continued collaboration

Expected time investment

Mandatory Encouraged

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Recommended mentor profile | Mentors help fellows navigate between national systems and EU policy

Ideal Mentor Profile

• Senior1 official at MoH/agency or HUF alumnus/alumna

• No direct departmental relationship with the nominated fellows

• Multi-year national leadership record

• Proven EU policy engagement

• Prior coaching / mentoring experience

• English proficiency (min. C1)

Benefits

Tasks2 • Conduct regular virtual 1:1 touchpoints3 and one mid- term check-in with fellows to provide guidance

• Join the two mentor forums to share feedback and refine mentoring approaches (1.5-2 hour duration)

• Support the fellow in building a professional EU health network by facilitating contact with key experts and offering advice on networking

• Participate in a pool of topic experts accessible for fellows to request ad hoc, topic-specific support on a voluntary basis

• Contribute to training modules and the Annual Forum on a voluntary basis

Mentor and advise future EU health leaders

Share policy expertise on real-world challenges

Reconnect with peers via mentor forums

Encouraged Optional

1. Ideally more senior than nominated fellows 2. Mentors must formally commit to the defined mandatory tasks 3. At least three: at the beginning, mid-way and the end of the programme Note: DG SANTE will aid in sourcing mentors only for countries joining HUF for the first time e.g., Iceland, the Netherlands, Latvia, Serbia

“Mentorship has been a valuable two-way exchange. We have

reflected on how EU policy making works in practice and what a stronger EHU could mean for

people, health systems and MS."

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Mentor value proposition | Mentoring is a shared investment with returns for fellows, mentors and Member States alike

Stronger EU connectivity: deepen links to emerging EU health priorities and peer Member States through senior mentor participation

Purpose and legacy: shape the next generation of EU health leaders through trusted policy and career guidance

Low-cost capacity building: expand engagement across the European Health Union network through a flexible, light-touch commitment

Expanded network: connect with fellows and senior peers through mentor forums and events, expanding networks across the EU health policy landscape

Senior talent development: strengthen coaching and leadership capabilities of experienced officials while supporting succession planning

Flexible, supported commitment: engage through defined touchpoints and training sessions with support ranging from mentor forums to monthly office hours

Two-way knowledge transfer: bring cross- border insights from fellows, the mentor community and HUF content back into national administrations

Knowledge and insight: stay close to emerging EU health topics through HUF content and structured exchange with fellows

For Mentors: Personal and professional value of participation

For Member States: Strategic value of nominating senior mentors

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Next steps| Please nominate up to three Fellows and one mentor by 4 December (EOB)

Fellow nomination

• A ranked list of up to three fellows in line with the selection criteria

• One completed CV for each nominated fellow

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Mentor nomination

• Nomination of one mentor in line with the target profile provided

• Completed CV for the nominated mentor

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Please share your country's nomination via email to both: [email protected] [email protected]

How to submit the nomination

Please list your ranked fellows and the mentor in the email and attach their CVs (both for fellows & mentor)

For the CV, if possible, use the provided template and ensure full completion

Process can be led by Single Point of Contact (SPOC)

EOB = end of business There are 34 fellowship places. If any remain unfilled in the first round of nominations, a second round will open to countries that submitted more than one nominee

Please provide us with (by 4 Dec EOB):

Please note that DG SANTE will not be providing mentors for countries unable to nominate one.

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Next steps | In the coming weeks, we kindly request your support in nominating fellows and mentors as we prepare the HUF programme

Cohort 3 fellow and mentor selection DG SANTE reviews nominations

Early December

Fellow and mentor selection announcement Information to participating countries as well as fellows and mentors on their selection

18 December

XX Information point for countries participating in HUF XX

Instances where HUF countries' support is required XX Other key activities

Deadline for nomination of fellows and mentors Countries to provide their ranked nominations for fellows and the mentor

4 December

Virtual fellow and mentor kick-off Meeting to initiate fellowship and share key details (e.g., schedule, logistics)

19 January

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Table of contents

1 Introduction of the HUF programme

4

Fellow and mentor nomination process

2

3

Outlook for Cohort 3

Contact information

20

Contact details of the training team

If you have any questions, please reach out to:

DG SANTE team – [email protected]

BCG team – [email protected]

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HUF training team | Supporting fellows throughout the HUF journey

Reka

Nagy

Marlene

Wild

Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

HaDEA

Katarina

Mitic

Nicolas

Krieger

Ana Ramirez

Villaescusa

Health Union Fellowship team bringing together capabilities from various institutions

David

Yim

Marta

Valenciano

DG SANTE

Maria Brandao

Sandra

Gallina

Cristina

Modoran

EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY

The Director-General

Brussels SANTE.DG.Ol/\48

NOTn FOR THE ATTENTION OF MS KATRIN JUHANDI' DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF ESTONIA

Dear Ambassador Juhandi,

.Please find enclosed a letter addressed to the Director-General of the Health Ministry of Estonia, with information on the new edition of the Health Union Fellowship.

We would be grateful if you could transmit this correspondence to the attention of the Director-General at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Sandra GALLINA

Commission européenneÆuropese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË -.Tel. +3222991111 Office: F10l 071084 - Tel. direct line +32 229-83223

f

Ma¡[email protected]

Electronically signed on 30/10/2026 10:02 (UTC+01) in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121

EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR HEAL TH AND FOOD SAFETY

The Director-General

Brussels SANTE.DG .0 I/MB

Director-General of the Health Ministries of the Member States

Subject: Health Union Fellowship Third Cohort

Dear Director-General,

I am pleased to inform you that applications are now open for the third edition of the Health Union Fellowship, an initiative supported by the EU4Health Programme.

Building on the success of the first two editions, we remain committed to providing a platform for learning, exchange and capacity building on EU health policy, and to creating a lasting community of experts. The third cohort will include five face-to-face training modules designed to maximise opportunities for peer learning and sharing of best practices, mentoring and networking.

A detailed overview of the programme and nomination procedure can be found attached to this communication. The Health Union Fellowship team remains available to provide any needed clarification and can be contacted at HEALTH-UNION­ FELLO [email protected].

Similar to the previous editions, we would kindly request that you provide a ranked list

of three potential fellows and a mentor by 4 December 2026. Please note that this year, DG SANTE will not be providing mentors for countries unable to nominate one. You can find additional information on this matter, as well as suggested CV template for fellows and the mentor, in the supporting materials attached to this communication. Additionally, we would be grateful if you could confirm whether the contact details for the single point of contact need to be updated or remain unchanged from last year.

We look forward to another year of fruitful collaboration.

Sandra GALLINA

Commission europeenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIE-Tel. +32 2299111 I Office: Fl0l 07/084-Tel. direct line +32 229-83223

[email protected]

Enclosure: Suggested CV template for fellows and mentors Information package

Deputy Permanent Representatives to the Eruopean Union Health Attachés Health Union Fellowship Single Points of Contact

c.c.

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Electronically signed on 30/10/2026 10:02 (UTC+01) in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121