The World Health Organization (WHO) Fellowships Programme in the Western Pacific Region provides opportunities for health professionals and scientists from Member States to strengthen their technical knowledge, professional skills and leadership capacity. The programme is designed to help countries develop a stronger health workforce and improve health outcomes through advanced education, professional training, international exchange and knowledge sharing. The fellowship programme supports a range of training opportunities, including undergraduate and postgraduate studies, short-term programmes, long-term training and distance-learning options where suitable facilities are available in the candidate’s home country. About the WHO Fellowships Programme The WHO Fellowships Programme aims to address technical skills and knowledge gaps within national health systems. Through carefully planned fellowship placements, health workers can access training and expertise that may not be readily available in their own countries. The programme also encourages collaboration between scientific and professional communities while facilitating the international exchange of medical and scientific knowledge. Fellows have the opportunity to learn from established institutions and professionals while bringing new knowledge and skills back to their national health systems. WHO describes a fellowship award as a joint undertaking involving the organization, the fellow, the national health administration of the sending country, the receiving country and the relevant training institution. Training may take place outside the candidate’s country or, where appropriate facilities exist, through distance learning within the candidate’s own country. Who Can Benefit From the Fellowship Programme? The programme is primarily intended to strengthen the capacity of health personnel from WHO Member States in the Western Pacific Region. Fellowship candidates are generally selected in accordance with national health priorities and identified workforce development needs. Rather than functioning solely as an individual academic award, the programme is linked to national health planning. WHO Representatives and national health administrations work together during the planning process to ensure that fellowship opportunities contribute to addressing specific human-resource gaps. Depending on the fellowship arrangement, participants may undertake: Undergraduate or postgraduate courses; Short-term professional training; Long-term specialized training; Technical capacity-building programmes; Distance-learning programmes where appropriate; and Study tours and tailor-made training activities. The programme can therefore be relevant to health workers, medical professionals, scientists and other qualified personnel whose professional development aligns with identified national health priorities. Four Stages of the WHO Fellowship Programme The WHO Fellowships Programme operates through four main stages: planning, selection, operation and follow-up. 1. Planning Stage During the planning stage, WHO Representatives and national health administration counterparts identify fellowship needs and ensure that proposed training opportunities are consistent with national health plans. This stage is important because the programme is intended to address actual health workforce gaps rather than simply provide individual educational opportunities. 2. Selection Stage Fellowships lasting three months or longer are advertised, and eligible candidates submit applications online. Applications are subsequently forwarded to the WHO Regional Office for processing. Selection is therefore connected to both candidate qualifications and the health priorities identified by national authorities. 3. Operational Stage Successful applicants undertake their approved fellowship or training programme. During this period, WHO fellows are subject to specific entitlements and obligations. Fellows are required to participate in their training and provide academic and progress reports as required throughout the programme. 4. Follow-Up Stage Following completion of the fellowship, participants are required to submit final reports. Fellows are also expected to return to and serve within their national health administrations. This follow-up component helps ensure that the knowledge and technical skills gained through the fellowship contribute to strengthening health services in the fellow’s home country. WHO Study Tours Study tours are another form of fellowship activity offered through the programme. They allow groups of health workers or scientists to visit one or more countries to examine health-related problems, professional practices and methods of addressing specific challenges. A study tour can serve several purposes, including fact-finding, education, professional development and the creation of international networks and collaborations. Study tours may also be organized as tailor-made short-term training programmes designed around specific technical needs. Candidates for study tours must generally be health workers or scientists in good health and must be nominated by their national health administrations. WHO states that candidates are typically not over 55 years of age. Selected participants are expected to follow the authorized itinerary and submit a final report documenting their findings, experiences and impressions. Host Institutions WHO maintains a database of institutions where fellows can undertake their training. Applicants may also consider other credible institutions that meet WHO standards. Recent host institutions listed by WHO include universities and specialized organizations in several countries across the Western Pacific Region. In Fiji, examples include Fiji National University and the University of Fiji. In Japan, Sapporo Medical University is among the institutions where fellows have been placed. In New Zealand, recent host institutions include Massey University and the University of Otago. In Papua New Guinea, the University of Papua New Guinea has hosted fellows. In Samoa, host institutions include the National University of Samoa and the NUS/Pacific Islands Orthopedic Association. The list demonstrates the international nature of the programme and its emphasis on connecting health professionals with credible academic and professional institutions. Why the WHO Fellowship Programme Matters The fellowship programme provides more than an opportunity for individual professional development. Its broader objective is to strengthen national health systems by ensuring that trained professionals return with knowledge and expertise that can be applied within their countries. Participants can gain exposure to different health systems, research approaches, medical practices, teaching methods and professional networks. These experiences can contribute to improved standards of healthcare, medical education and technical capacity. The programme also promotes international cooperation among health professionals and scientific communities, helping countries share knowledge and develop solutions to common health challenges. How the Fellowship Process Works Prospective applicants should understand that the WHO Fellowships Programme is closely connected to national health administrations. Candidates should therefore monitor fellowship announcements and consult relevant health authorities in their countries to determine available opportunities and nomination procedures. Applicants should also carefully review the requirements of individual fellowship opportunities, including academic qualifications, professional experience, nomination requirements, training objectives and reporting obligations. The programme is not necessarily a single annual scholarship competition open to every applicant worldwide. Fellowship opportunities are developed in accordance with identified national needs and may vary according to country, programme and training requirements. Application and Contact Information Candidates interested in the WHO Fellowships Programme should monitor official WHO announcements and consult their national health administrations regarding available fellowship opportunities. For further information about the WHO Fellowships Programme in the Western Pacific Region, applicants can contact the WHO Regional Office at wprocal@who.int. The programme offers an important pathway for strengthening health-sector expertise while supporting countries in developing capable and better-trained health workforces. By combining international education, technical training, professional exchange and national service, the WHO Fellowships Programme contributes to the wider goal of improving health outcomes across the Western Pacific Region. LEARN MORE HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Important: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this fellowship. Applicants should verify eligibility, available placements, nomination procedures and current application arrangements through WHO and the relevant national health authorities before applying. Subscribe to Our Newsletter Here