MOPGA 2027: Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers | Campus France

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Since 2018, the Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) initiative has continued to attract strong interest from the international scientific community, drawing a growing number of talented researchers eager to contribute to research addressing major environmental and climate challenges

Widely recognized by French research laboratories and institutions, MOPGA has become a flagship programme for postdoctoral mobility in France and one of the leading fellowship programmes of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE)

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Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers

In line with its continued commitment to the Paris Agreement, and as a key actor in the fight against climate change, France is launching a new edition of the MOPGA programme to strengthen scientific contributions to the issues addressed at the Conferences of the Parties (COPs)

This tenth call for applications, funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE), in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space (MESRE), and implemented by Campus France, will enable young international researchers to carry out a research project in France, thereby fostering collaboration with leading French research institutions

RESEARCH THEMES

Five broad research areas are eligible:

• Earth system sciences;
• Climate change and sustainability sciences;
• Energy transition;
• Societal challenges related to environmental issues;
• Human, animal and environmental health, as defined under the One Health approach.*

Innovative approaches involving advanced technologies in the research areas listed above will be given particular consideration during the selection process

*Please note: only projects adopting an integrated “One Health” approach, i.e. taking into account the interactions between human health, animal health and ecosystems, are eligible. Projects focusing solely on medicine or human health without a genuine environmental or animal health dimension are not eligible

For further information, please consult theMOPGA research themes page

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must:

• Hold a doctoral degree awarded less than five years before the application deadline, i.e. have defended their PhD thesis between December 2021 and December 2026 inclusive;
• Be exclusively of foreign nationality (all nationalities are eligible except French nationality);
• Apply for the purpose of undertaking international mobility to France;
• Not be residing and professionally active in France at the time of application;
• Not have previously received a MOPGA fellowship.

FELLOWSHIP TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Fellowships are awarded for a period of 12 months

Each fellowship includes, exclusively:

• A monthly allowance of €2,500;
• A €500 settling-in allowance;
• Health coverage: health insurance, civil liability insurance and repatriation assistance, followed by supplementary health insurance once the fellow has been registered with the French social security system.

This programme falls within the framework of the research stay scheme established under the French Research Programming Law 2021–2030 (LPR, Article 12) and incorporated into Article L.434-1 of the French Research Code. Successful applicants are granted the status of French Government Scholarship holders (BGF). The fellowship is paid directly by Campus France. A research stay agreement must be signed between the host institution in France and the researcher.

For further information, please consult the MESRE circular of 4 May 2022 on theimplementation of research stays

This French Government fellowship cannot be combined with a French employment contract, such as a research contract or postdoctoral contract, or with any other individual funding awarded by a French government entity

SELECTION PROCESS

In accordance with the objectives and requirements of the call for applications, the selection process will take place in two stages

First, scientific experts appointed by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space in the relevant fields will assess the applications received. In the second stage, a scientific committee will make the final selection of the MOPGA 2027 fellows

RESEARCH PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Applicants will be asked to provide:

• Project title;
• Keywords (6);
• Research project summary (max. 2,000 characters);
• Background and motivation (max. 2,000 characters);
• Scientific objectives (max. 2,000 characters);
• Methodology and timeline (max. 4,500 characters);
• Relevance of the project to the MOPGA initiative (max. 2,000 characters);
• International collaboration and/or expected impact for the applicant’s country of residence or country of origin (max. 2,000 characters).

Applications may be submitted in English or French

REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

• CV including a list of publications (4 pages max.);
• Doctoral degree certificate (or official proof of degree);
• CV of the scientific supervisor at the host laboratory (2 pages max.);
• Letter of support from the scientific supervisor, co-signed by the laboratory director or accompanied by a letter of commitment from the laboratory director, confirming that the scientific environment and resources required to carry out the research project will be made available and that the project is consistent with the laboratory’s objectives;
• Letter(s) of recommendation (minimum 1 – maximum 3);
• Copy of passport or national identity document.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must submit their research project online

https://campusfrance.smapply.io/prog/mopga_2027/

Please make sure to consult the FAQ below and download the application guide. 

 

TIMELINE

• 15 September 2026: Applications open
• 15 December 2026: Application deadline
• May–June 2026: Notification of results
• Between September and December 2027: Successful applicants arrive in France and begin their research stay at French host institutions

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FAQ

ELIGIBILITY

Can I apply if I defend my PhD thesis after December 2026?No. To be eligible, you must have defended your thesis between December 2021 and December 2026 inclusive. If your doctoral degree certificate has not yet been issued, you may submit an official certificate confirming that your thesis defence has taken place, proof of thesis submission, or any other official document issued by your institution confirming that the defence has taken place.

I obtained my PhD more than five years ago. Can I still apply?

The call for applications is open to researchers who obtained their PhD less than five years ago. However, an exception may be granted in the case of maternity leave. In this case, the eligibility period may be extended by 18 months per child, or by the actual duration of the maternity leave, upon submission of supporting documents. This information must be included in the application file under supporting documents.

FUNDING AND CONDITIONS

How much is the fellowship?Successful applicants receive a monthly allowance of €2,500 for twelve months, as well as a €500 settling-in allowance during the first month of the research stay

Is travel to France covered?No. International travel costs are not covered by the programme. Your host laboratory may, however, be able to provide support with these costs

How long does the funding last?Twelve months. The fellowship is not renewable

Are there MOPGA fellowships for Master’s or PhD students?No. There is no MOPGA call for applications for Master’s or PhD students. However, theFrance Excellence Eiffel programme, as well as other funding opportunities listed onCampus Bourses, theResearch in France Portal, anddoctorat.gouv.froffer funding opportunities for these levels of study

HOST LABORATORY

How can I find a host laboratory?Finding a laboratory or research unit is an integral part of the application process. You can consult theresearch laboratory directoriesand the Campus FranceResearch in France Portal, or contact your supervisors at your home institution, who may already have links with French laboratories. Your research project should be clearly defined before contacting a laboratory.

Does the host laboratory receive specific funding?No. The programme does not cover laboratory costs. Any such costs should be discussed directly with the host institution

I would like to host a MOPGA candidate. Where can I advertise an opportunity?The Campus FranceResearch in France Portalallows institutions to publish postdoctoral opportunities. You simply need to create an institutional account

PROJECT AND APPLICATION

Can I submit my application by email?No. Applications must be submitted through the Campus FranceSMApply platformduring the official application period. Applications sent by email will not be considered

Can you tell me whether my research project is eligible?Your project must fall within the MOPGA research themes, which are detailed on thededicated page

Are the humanities and social sciences eligible?Yes. All disciplines are eligible, provided that the project falls within theMOPGA research themes

Is there a character limit for the research project?Yes. A maximum number of characters, including spaces, is specified for each section of the application form

CONTACT

For any questions, please contact:mopga@campusfrance.org

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Source: www.campusfrance.org