Summary
The Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) initiative is launching its tenth call for applications for a Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers. This program, funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space (MESRE), aims to attract talented international researchers to France to contribute to research addressing major environmental and climate challenges, in line with the Paris Agreement.
Designation
Visiting Fellow (Early Career Researcher)
Research Areas
Applications are invited for research projects in the following five broad areas:
- 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.
Note: Innovative approaches involving advanced technologies in these areas will be given particular consideration. Only projects adopting an integrated “One Health” approach (considering 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.
Location
France (various French host institutions)
Eligibility/Qualification
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a doctoral degree awarded less than five years before the application deadline (i.e., defended PhD thesis between December 2021 and December 2026 inclusive). An exception may be granted for maternity leave (extended by 18 months per child or actual duration of leave, with supporting documents).
- Be exclusively of foreign nationality (all nationalities eligible except French).
- 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.
Job Description
Successful applicants will undertake a 12-month research stay in a French host institution, contributing to scientific advancements related to environmental and climate challenges. Fellows will be granted the status of French Government Scholarship holders (BGF) and will receive a fellowship to cover living expenses. Host laboratories will provide the necessary scientific environment and resources for the project. The fellowship cannot be combined with a French employment contract or other individual funding from a French government entity.
Fellowship Terms and Conditions:
- Duration: 12 months (non-renewable).
- Monthly Allowance: €2,500.
- Settling-in Allowance: €500 (during the first month).
- Health Coverage: Health insurance, civil liability insurance, repatriation assistance, and supplementary health insurance after registration with the French social security system.
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 resources and project consistency with laboratory objectives.
- Letter(s) of recommendation (minimum 1 – maximum 3).
- Copy of passport or national identity document.
Research Project Description Requirements:
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.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their research project online through the dedicated Campus France SMApply platform. Please consult the FAQ and download the application guide available on the platform before applying.
Last Date for Apply
15 December 2026
Apply Link
https://campusfrance.smapply.io/prog/mopga_2027/
Timeline:
- Applications open: 15 September 2026
- Application deadline: 15 December 2026
- Notification of results: May–June 2027
- Arrival in France and start of research stay: Between September and December 2027
