The NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas will once again open its doors in July 2026 for another edition of the Summer Medical School, a summer program that places children and young people ages 6 to 18 at the center of health, science, and innovation. The program promotes health literacy, healthy behaviors and lifestyles, and a deeper understanding of careers in medicine, biosciences, and health.
Since its launch in 2022, the initiative has already engaged 374 children and young people and has been recognized as a pioneering program in Portugal. It now returns with an expanded offering and new content, reinforcing NOVA Medical School’s commitment to educating younger generations.
Structured around three major areas — Healthy Lifestyles; How Do We Think? How Do We Learn?; and Becoming a Health Professional — the Summer Medical School was designed for curious, ambitious minds passionate about the health sciences. More than just a summer course, it is an immersive experience in the medical world, delivered within a leading medical school recognized for its innovative and forward-thinking approach to education.
Throughout the month of July, children and young participants will engage in immersive experiences that combine science and practice, knowledge and fun, through workshops, experimental challenges, clinical simulations, and activities led by NOVA Medical School professionals. From healthy living to medical practice, and through the fascinating world of thinking and cognition, each area offers experiences designed to inspire, challenge, and empower every child and young person as an active agent of health.
According to Ana Macedo, MD, Associate Dean for Community Outreach at NOVA Medical School, “Investing in health education is investing in the future. By bringing children and young people closer to science, health, and well-being from an early age, we empower them to develop critical thinking, make informed choices, and take an active role in society. Educating for health today means preparing for more conscious decisions tomorrow. This program reflects NOVA Medical School’s mission as a medical school open to society, committed to an inclusive, innovative, and transformative vision of health.”
For the 2026 edition, Summer Medical School offers differentiated learning tracks tailored to each age group:
- Ages 6–10 – Kids Lifestyle – Smart Habits and Kids – Brain Challenge
- Ages 11–14 – Junior Lifestyle – Smart Habits and Junior – Brain Challenge
- Ages 15–18 (including national and international versions) – Lifestyle & Health Promotion and Doctor Camp
Summer Medical School ’26 will take place at NOVA Medical School campuses in Lisbon and Carcavelos.
For the first time, two programs will be taught exclusively at the Carcavelos Campus during the weeks of July 13 and July 20, for children and young people ages 6 to 14. The decentralization of the program will continue, with activities also taking place in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
Registration is now open and available on the program's official website.