HSPH Collaborative Field Course in Brazil

This field course is offered in collaboration with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Ministério da Saúde in Brasília, Federal District, Brazil. The course combines lectures, discussions, site visits and group work. It will cover issues related to primary and specialized care, health system governance, and indigenous health, among others. Students will work in groups focusing on a problem-solving approach.

The objectives of the course are to:

• Critically analyze environmental and socioeconomic factors in Brazil that are associated with a high prevalence and geographic distribution of diseases and additional major public health concerns;
• Identify population characteristics, such as nutrition status, immunity, degree of exposure associated with disease epidemiology and the impact of these factors on disease morbidity and mortality;
• Foster lasting academic collaborations and joint research projects between HSPH and Brazilian participants, strengthening personal networks throughout Brazil and internationally.

• January 5 – 23, 2026 at Brasília, DF - Brazil 

The course is limited to 15 Harvard students. Harvard students interested in participating should visit the HSPH course listing to learn more.

Brazilian applicants must be enrolled in Masters, Doctoral or Professional Programs (EPISUS, Medical Residency Program, etc.). Foreigners living in Brazil that meet the aforementioned requirements are also eligible to apply. English proficiency is mandatory, and will be evaluated through an online interview. Past participants of previous editions of the course are not eligible. 

A total of 15 Brazilian students are expected to be selected. All participants must have full-time dedication to the course and participate in all activities in January. The full workload is roughly 110 hours, varying slightly from year to year. 

Application materials must be submitted in English however, the transcripts may be submitted in Portuguese if applicants are unable to obtain English translations before the deadline. 

• Application Materials: Application Form, Resume (max 2 pages), Transcripts of last two degrees (including the current), and a Letter of Reference.
• Complete this Application by October 1st, 2025 (11:59 BRT).

If you have any questions, please email brazil_office@harvard.edu with the subject line "2026 Public Health Course"