You belong in the room.
Nigeria Health Watch invites health students and serving NYSC corps members to apply for up to 25 sponsored places at the Future of Health Conference 2026, in Abuja on 29 October.
Applications close at 11:59 pm on 20 October 2026. Applying is free.
- sponsored places
- Up to 25
- Abuja
- 29 Oct 2026
- applications close, 11:59 pm
- 20 Oct
About FHC 2026
Few students and corps members ever get into this room. This sponsorship is designed to change that, and to help you make the most of the day.
The Future of Health Conference is Nigeria Health Watch’s flagship annual convening. Its 11th edition takes place in Abuja on 29 October 2026.
Policymakers, health leaders, funders, innovators and practitioners will discuss what is working in Nigeria’s health sector, what can scale, and what is still needed.
This year’s theme
11th editionAbuja, 29 October 2026
From Innovation to Impact:The Future of Health is Now
Make the most of #FHC2026
Come curious. Leave with a next step.
See public health in action
- See how the ideas you study are used to solve real health challenges.
- Explore innovations. Ask what works, what doesn’t and why.
Before you arrive
- Choose what you want to learn.
- Plan who you’d like to meet.
- Bring a question that matters to you.
Meet people, find direction
- Talk to the people doing the work you want to do.
- Ask about career paths, research and the skills worth building.
Start a mentoring conversation
- Find someone whose experience can help you think through your next step.
- Ask a specific question and agree how to stay in touch.
Who can apply
You can apply if you meet all of the following
Fields of study
- Public health
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Nursing
- Biomedical engineering
You are a current student in public health, medicine, pharmacy, nursing or biomedical engineering at a Nigerian institution, or a serving NYSC corps member with a qualification in one of these fields or a health-related posting.
You can attend in person in Abuja on 29 October 2026 and join a virtual orientation on 27 October.
You can get any permission you need from your institution or NYSC to attend.
We especially encourage applications from females and from candidates outside Abuja.
What the sponsorship covers
Every sponsored participant receives
Conference access
A place at FHC 2026 in Abuja on 29 October.
Pre-conference orientation
A virtual orientation on 27 October.
A mentor group on the day
A place in a small mentor group at the conference.
Three months of mentoring
Your mentor group continues monthly for the next 3 months.
Travel and accommodation, matched to need
Travel and accommodation support depends on where you are travelling from and what you need.
Level 1
Conference access
Participants who live in Abuja and can cover their own transport
Covers
- Registration
Level 2
Local participation
Participants in Abuja who need help getting to the venue
Covers
- Registration
- Local transport
- Conference-day meals
Level 3
Interstate travel support
Participants travelling to Abuja by road
Covers
- Registration
- Return road travel
- Transfers
- Travel-day meals
- Accommodation
Level 4
Full interstate participation
Participants travelling from far states where flying is the practical option
Covers
- Registration
- Return flight
- Transfers
- Travel-day meals
- Accommodation
We confirm your support level in your award letter. Nigeria Health Watch books and pays for travel and accommodation directly; we do not give cash allowances.
What we ask of you
A sponsored place is a commitment
If selected, you agree to:
This sponsorship does not include a job, internship or stipend.
Join the virtual orientation on 27 October and prepare a short learning plan: two goals, and three people or types of organisation you hope to meet.
Attend the full conference day on 29 October and take part in your mentor group.
Make at least two professional introductions on the day.
Initiate short follow-ups at 30, 60 and 90 days.
Share what you learned with peers within 30 days, through a session, post or short written brief.
Follow the participant code of conduct, including safe travel arrangements.
How to apply
Complete the online application form
Apply by 11:59 pm on 20 October 2026. The form takes about 20 minutes. Have these ready before you start:
Your details
Your name, phone number, email, gender, state of residence and the state you would travel from.
Your studies or service
Your institution, course and year of study, or your NYSC state code, place of primary assignment and the field of your degree.
Proof of status
A current student ID or admission letter, or your NYSC call-up letter or ID card.
Barriers to attending
A short statement of any barriers to attending, such as cost or distance, and why you need travel or accommodation support.
Two essay questions, each under 200 words
What does this year’s theme, “From Innovation to Impact: The Future of Health is Now”, mean to you?
How will you use what you learn at FHC after the conference?
- Write your essays in your own words and declare when AI is used.
- Applications that are incomplete, or that arrive after the deadline, will not be reviewed.
How we select
Scored independently, against four criteria
A panel of Nigeria Health Watch and external reviewers scores each eligible application independently, using these criteria.
Reviewers declare any conflict of interest. We then rank applicants, check for a fair balance of gender and geopolitical zones, and keep a reserve list in case selected participants withdraw.
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Financial need and barriers to attending | 40% |
| Limited prior access to mentors or conferences | 25% |
| Learning goals (essay 1) | 20% |
| Plans to apply or share what you learn (essay 2) | 15% |
Key dates
From application to follow-up
1 October 2026
Applications open
20 October 2026, 11:59 pm
Applications close
22 October 2026
Selected applicants notified by email
23 to 26 October 2026
Travel and accommodation booked for those who need it
27 October 2026
Virtual orientation
29 October 2026
FHC 2026, Abuja
28 November 2026
30-day follow-up and learning shared with peers
27 January 2027
90-day follow-up
FAQs
Questions, answered
Is there an application fee?
No. Applying is free, and you will never be asked to pay to secure a place.
Can I apply if I am not in public health?
Yes, if you study or trained in medicine, pharmacy, nursing or biomedical engineering.
Will I be told if I am not selected?
Yes. Everyone who applies hears from us by 22 October. Some applicants may be placed on the reserve list.
Can I attend without sponsorship?
Registration for regular and virtual attendance is still open. Student registration for FHC 2026 is closed.
Go to registrationFor other questions, emailinfo@nigeriahealthwatch.comwith “FHC Youth Sponsorship” in the subject line.
FHC Next Gen
Your place in the room starts with one form.
Up to 25 sponsored places are available for health students and serving NYSC corps members at FHC 2026 in Abuja on 29 October. Applications close at 11:59 pm on 20 October 2026.
Apply for FHC Next Gen(opens the application form in a new tab)