MOPGA 2027 Visiting Fellowship in France for Early-Career Researchers

What is MOPGA?

Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) is a French government initiative launched in 2018 to bring talented international researchers to France to work on climate and environmental challenges. It has become one of France's flagship postdoctoral mobility programmes.

The 2027 edition is the programme's tenth call for applications. It's funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space, and run by Campus France.

Fellows spend 12 months carrying out their own research project at a French research institution, building collaborations with leading French scientists. The programme supports the goals of the Paris Agreement and the issues discussed at the UN climate conferences (COPs).

Research themes

Your project must fit one of these five areas:

• Earth system sciences
• Climate change and sustainability sciences
• Energy transition
• Societal challenges related to environmental issues
• One Health: human, animal, and environmental health together

Projects using innovative approaches and advanced technologies get special consideration.

Note on One Health: projects must look at how human health, animal health, and ecosystems interact. Projects focused only on medicine or human health aren't eligible.

All disciplines are welcome, including the humanities and social sciences, as long as the project fits these themes.

Important dates

• Applications opened: September 15, 2026
• Application deadline: December 15, 2026
• Results announced: May–June 2027
• Fellowship starts: between September and December 2027

Who can apply?

You must:

• Have a PhD awarded within the last five years, meaning you defended your thesis between December 2021 and December 2026
• Be of any nationality except French
• Be applying to move to France for research
• Not be living and working in France when you apply
• Not have received a MOPGA fellowship before

If you've taken maternity leave, the five-year limit can be extended by 18 months per child (or by the actual length of your leave), with supporting documents.

What does the fellowship cover?

• €2,500 per month for 12 months
• €500 settling-in allowance in your first month
• Health coverage: health insurance, civil liability insurance, and repatriation assistance, then supplementary health insurance once you're registered with French social security

Fellows receive the status of French Government Scholarship holders, and Campus France pays the fellowship directly.

Not covered: international travel to France. Your host lab may be able to help with this. The fellowship is 12 months and can't be renewed.

Finding a host laboratory

Finding a host lab in France is part of the application. You'll need a scientific supervisor there who supports your project.

Good places to start:

• The Research in France Portal on the Campus France website
• French research laboratory directories
• Your current supervisors, who may already have links with French labs

Have a clear research project in mind before you contact a lab.

What you need to apply

Research project description:

• Project title and 6 keywords
• Project summary (up to 2,000 characters)
• Background and motivation (up to 2,000 characters)
• Scientific objectives (up to 2,000 characters)
• Methodology and timeline (up to 4,500 characters)
• Relevance to MOPGA (up to 2,000 characters)
• International collaboration or expected impact for your home country (up to 2,000 characters)

Documents:

• Your CV with a list of publications (up to 4 pages)
• Your PhD certificate, or official proof of your thesis defence
• Your host supervisor's CV (up to 2 pages)
• A support letter from your host supervisor, co-signed by the lab director or with a separate commitment letter from them
• 1 to 3 recommendation letters
• A copy of your passport or national ID

You can apply in English or French.

How are fellows selected?

Selection happens in two stages. First, scientific experts appointed by the French Ministry of Higher Education review the applications. Then a scientific committee makes the final selection.

How to apply

1. Check that your PhD dates and research topic fit the requirements.
2. Find a host laboratory in France and agree on your project with a supervisor.
3. Gather all required documents and letters.
4. Read the official application guide and FAQ.
5. Submit your application online through the Campus France application platform before December 15, 2026.

Applications sent by email won't be considered.

Simple tips

• Start your lab search now. Getting a host supervisor's support letter takes time.
• Show why your work matters for climate action and how it connects to MOPGA's goals.
• Highlight impact for your home country. There's a dedicated section for this, so use it well.
• Stick to the character limits in each section.
• Plan for travel costs, since they aren't covered, and ask your host lab whether they can help.

Apply here

Ready to apply? Submit your application through the official Campus France platform: https://campusfrance.smapply.io/prog/mopga_2027/

For full details, the application guide, and FAQs, visit: https://www.campusfrance.org/en/mopga-2027

For questions, email mopga@campusfrance.org.

World Opportunities Hub is an independent information platform. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Campus France or the French government. Always verify details on the official website before applying.

Field	Value
Organization	Campus France (French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)
Region / Country	France
Deadline	Dec 15, 2026
Level	Postdoc (PhD within the last 5 years)
Funding	€2,500/month + €500 settling-in allowance + health coverage