The Jouke van der Zee Fund
For many years, the European Public Health Association and the EPH Conference Foundation have been supporting participants from low- and middle-income European countries to attend the annual EPH Conferences and build capacity as well as present at the annual EPH Conferences to showcase their research and work.
In 2020, we decided to combine our efforts in contributing to the preservation and improvement of public health in the European region by creating
The Jouke van der Zee Fund.
Prof Dr Jouke van der Zee (1947-2025) was one of the founding members of EUPHA in 1992 and the initiator of the first EUPHA Conference in 1994, which later became the European Public Health Conference.
Prof. van der Zee played a pivotal role in shaping both the EUPHA office and the conference in its early years. With the generous support of his institute, NIVEL in the Netherlands, his leadership and vision helped lay the foundation for what the EPH Conference is today.
The Jouke van der Zee Fund continues his legacy by making it possible for public health professionals from across Europe to take part in this vital exchange of knowledge, ideas, and collaboration.
The Jouke van der Zee Fund offers a limited number of registration fee waivers for the European Public Health (EPH) Conference. The waivers cover the registration fee for the main conference and the Welcome Reception.
Please note that any additional costs—such as pre-conference registrations, the Conference Dinner, travel, and accommodation—are not covered by the waiver and must be paid directly by the participant.
You may apply for a registration fee waiver if you:
- have an active role at the EPH Conference (e.g. oral or poster presenter, or speaker/panellist in a workshop); and
- are based in one of the eligible countries listed below.
Eligable countries and territories (2026):
- Albania
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Georgia
- Greece
- Hungary
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo*
- Kyrgyz Republic
- Latvia
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Tajikistan
- Türkiye
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
*All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
Proof of residence
The document must show the applicant’s name and address and must have been issued within the last six months:
- Utility bill (electricity, water, internet, etc.)
- Bank statement (sensitive financial information may be redacted)
- Government-issued residence permit
- Tax document
- Official correspondence from a public authority
- University or employer letter confirming residence
Selection criteria
Please note that:
- Applications with higher abstract scores will be prioritized.
- The Executive Board of the Jouke van der Zee Fund will also consider geographical balance and institutional representation, with the aim of ensuring broad and diverse participation.
- Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously received support from the Fund, in order to promote equitable access to the conference.
If you would like to apply please, contact us via abstract@ephconference.eu and send us:
- Abstract number
- Country of residence
- Email topic: Jouke van der Zee Fund application
The call is open 12 June – 1 July each year. Applications sent outside this period will not be considered.