ESWI Data-driven healthcare under uncertainty | Research

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, quiz night, and Aachen city tour
Visit to a partnering hospital

Detailed Program

Have a look at the preliminary program (subject to change).

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 draft 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). Please note that in this stage of applying, the paper does not have to be finished, but should at a minimum contain three sections in draft, containing the introduction and contribution, problem statement and proposed solution methodology. Once you are selected as a participant, you get the opportunity to resubmit a new extended version of this work.
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 is closed.

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 at the end of March 2026.

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, and served at the hotel, the university Mensa, and the guest house respectively. All meals and social activities are free of charge.

Travel

Note that travel expenses are not covered in the ESWI registration (please consult your National OR Society for funding options).

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)

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.

For questions, please email us at eswi@combi.rwth-aachen.de.