EURO Summer/Winter Institute
Data-driven healthcare under uncertainty
20 September - 2 October 2026 in Aachen, Germany
Ten years after the last EURO Summer Institute on Operational Research Applied to Health Services (ORAHS), we are excited to announce a new edition focused on data-driven health care under uncertainty. This EURO Summer/Winter Institute (ESWI) 2026 is jointly organized by CHOIR (University of Twente) and the COMBI group (RHWT Aachen) and will take place in the historic and dynamic city of Aachen, Germany, from September 20 to October 2, 2026. PhD students as well as PostDocs and researchers within three years of their PhD are encouraged to apply and join the insitute for a two-week program that supports the next generation of thinkers in operational research for healthcare—particularly those focused on uncertainty, data, and real-world impact.
What to expect?
Keynotes & expert lectures
Leading experts in the field will present in lectures and/or workshops, bringing methods to life with real healthcare applications. Topics include, but are not limited to:
- Stochastic & robust optimization
- Multi-stage & bilevel optimization
- Simulation modelling
- Healthcare data and predictive modeling
- Multi-criteria decision making
- Reinforcement learning
Hands-on workshops
Work in small teams on real-world healthcare problems provided by hospitals and other healthcare industry partners. Topics range from strategic planning in hospitals to optimization for home care logistics. This encompasses:
- Direct mentorship from scientific committee members
- Feedback sessions and mid-term presentations
- Final project presentation on the closing day
Mentorship & Career Development
Throughout the institute, you’ll receive:
- Individual mentoring by senior researchers
- Guidance on publishing, academic visibility, and managing research careers
- Informal sessions on career-life balance, journal selection, and peer review processes
Social & Cultural Program
Several social activies are planned to discover Aachen (and beyond) and to socialize with the particpants. Potential activities include, but are not limited to:
- Outdoor activities, including a day trip to the Dreiländereck (where Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium meet)
- Barbecue night, movie night, and Aachen city tour
- Visit to a partnering hospital
Location & Logistics
Venue
The institute will be hosted at RWTH Aachen’s guest house, a charming historic villa complex with seminar spaces and breakout rooms.
Accommodation
Participants will stay in shared double rooms at Hotel Baccara, just a 3-minute walk from the venue.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided—served at the hotel, university Mensa, and guest house respectively. All meals and social activities are free of charge.
Travel
Information will follow soon on how to get to Aachen. Note that travel expenses are not covered in the ESWI registration (please consult your National OR Society for funding options).
Call for participation
We welcome 15–25 early career researchers (typically PhD students or postdocs) from across Europe and beyond. EURO fully supports the cost for accommodation for the duration of the institute for each accepted participant.
Who can submit?
To apply to the ESI, you:
- Have to be a current PhD student or researcher with less than three years research experience since completing your PhD.
- Have to come from a EURO member society country, or study in a EURO member society country. Additionally, up to two candidates can be appointed by IFORS, according to the EURO and IFORS exchange for ESWIs.
- Must not have been a laureate of a previous EURO Summer/Winter Institute.
What to submit?
- A 2-page Curriculum Vitae, including information about your education, research projects, publications, awards, and other relevant experiences (pdf format).
- A single-authored or co-authored paper in the field of “Data-driven healthcare under uncertainty” where you are the main contributor and which has not yet been published or accepted for publication (pdf format).
- A statement outlining your motivation for participating in the ESI (at most one page).
- A letter of recommendation from one referee (preferably the thesis advisor or head of department).
How to submit?
Registration will open soon. The deadline for submission will be announced soon as well.
Notification of acceptance
Applicants will be evaluated on the quality of their scientific background, their submitted manuscript, and their motivation for the field of healthcare OR. The Scientific Committee ranks the candidates, and notify applicants about the final decision by email.
Special issue
A special issue is confirmed. Selected research from the ESWI will be eligible for submission. The guest editors and more information will follow in due time.
committees
Scientific committee
Will follow soon.
Organizing committee
- Prof. Christina Büsing (RWTH Aachen University, Germany)
- Prof. Gréanne Leeftink (University of Twente, The Netherlands)
- Prof. Stefan Nickel (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany)
- Prof. Adele Marshall (Queen’s University Belfast, Ireland)
- Prof. Roberto Aringhieri (University of Torino, Italy and ORAHS board representative)
For questions, please email us at eswi@combi.rwth-aachen.de.
Sponsors
We thank our generous sponsors for supporting this institute!
