European health systems need a new generation of leaders equipped to navigate increasingly complex managerial, organisational, and policy challenges. Preparing the next generation of health managers during their postgraduate education means giving them opportunities not only to develop knowledge, but to apply it to the kinds of difficult decisions they will encounter in practice.
The EHMA Case Study Competition is the first pan-European case study competition dedicated to postgraduate students in health management, giving students from across Europe the opportunity to test themselves against a real-world health management challenge. Each edition is built around a case study developed with a leading health organisation and based on a strategic, organisational, or operational issue relevant to European health systems. The competition brings the realities of health management into the learning environment, challenging students to work with the complexity, competing priorities, and constraints that shape real-world decision-making.
All participating teams receive the same case study at the same time. Their challenge is to analyse the problem, identify the key management issues, and develop a feasible, evidence-informed solution. Teams then present and defend their recommendations through a series of competitive rounds, with the strongest progressing to the in-person Final. Along the way, they will have the opportunity to demonstrate their analytical, strategic, and communication skills before experts from academia and the health sector.
Who can take part?
Each team consists of four students enrolled in the same postgraduate academic programme in health management, public health, health policy, or a related field at the time of registration. The competition is an opportunity for students to move beyond the classroom and put their knowledge and skills to the test against a complex, real-world management challenge. Working under competitive conditions, students will need to think critically, make strategic choices, and turn their analysis into practical recommendations.
More than one team may participate from the same programme or institution, and teams are encouraged to bring together students from different backgrounds and experiences.
Diversity of perspectives is an important part of the competition: complex health management challenges rarely have a single answer, and teams that combine different expertise, experiences, and ways of thinking can approach the case from different angles and develop stronger solutions.
Each team is supported by a Faculty Adviser affiliated with their postgraduate programme, who provides guidance, encouragement and feedback throughout the students’ participation in the Competition. The Competition itself, however, belongs to the students: the analysis of the case, development of the solution, and Competition presentations are their own work.
The Competition is open to eligible student teams from both EHMA member and non-member institutions across Europe.
How the competition works
All teams receive the case study simultaneously and are given the same amount of time to analyse the challenge and develop their proposed solution. Teams prepare a presentation setting out their analysis, proposed solution, and recommendations, which they pitch to a panel of judges during the online qualifier.
Teams that progress through the competition continue to present and defend the same solution in each subsequent round. The solution itself cannot be changed or refined after the first submission, ensuring that all teams compete on an equal basis. Shortlisted teams can, however, use the experience and feedback from each round to strengthen how they communicate and defend their proposal.
The competition unfolds through three competitive rounds, with teams progressively challenged to explain their choices, respond to questions, and demonstrate the feasibility of their recommendations.
Round 1
Online qualifier
Round 1
Online qualifier
All participating teams present their proposed solution online to a judging panel.
Teams are assessed on their understanding of the challenge, the quality of their analysis, and the relevance of their recommendations.
The highest-scoring teams progress to the semi-final.
Round 2
Online semi-final
Round 2
Online semi-final
Qualifying teams present and defend their recommendations before a multidisciplinary panel of judges. This stage places greater emphasis on the team’s ability to justify decisions, respond to questions, and demonstrate the feasibility of their proposed solution.
Approximately 5 finalist teams are selected to advance to the final round.
Round 3
In-person final
Round 3
In-person final
Finalist teams present their recommendations in person before a senior judging panel composed of representatives from academia, health systems, and partner organisations.
The competition concludes with the announcement of the winning teams and an award ceremony.
Timeline
Prizes
1st PLACE
€2,000 cash prize
Complimentary registration for all four team members to the next EHM Conference
Certificate of excellence
2nd PLACE
€1,200 cash prize
Certificate of excellence
3rd PLACE
€800 cash prize
Certificate of excellence
Participation fee
A registration fee applies to each participating team.
| Category | Fee (excluding applicable VAT) |
| EHMA members | €500 |
| Non-EHMA members | €650 |
The registration fee covers participation in all competition rounds. Teams selected for the in-person Final are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.
Ready to take on the challenge?
Register your team to take part in the EHMA Case Study Competition!
Before registering, please consult the Terms and Conditions for the complete competition rules, eligibility requirements, judging criteria, and practical information.