MOPGA 2027 Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers – Apply for €30,000
The MOPGA 2027 Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers is now accepting applications from international researchers seeking to undertake a 12-month research project at a French research institution.
The Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) initiative is 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.
The fellowship supports young international researchers whose work addresses major environmental, climate and sustainability challenges. Successful fellows will receive a monthly allowance of €2,500 for 12 months, as well as a €500 settling-in allowance and health-related insurance coverage.
The application deadline is 15 December 2026.
About the MOPGA 2027 Fellowship
Since its launch in 2018, the Make Our Planet Great Again initiative has attracted researchers from around the world interested in addressing major environmental and climate challenges.
The 2027 edition is the tenth call for applications and aims to strengthen scientific contributions to issues addressed through the international climate agenda and the Paris Agreement.
The program enables early-career international researchers to conduct research in France while developing collaborations with French research institutions and laboratories.
The fellowship is particularly suited to researchers whose projects contribute to understanding or addressing environmental and sustainability challenges.
Eligible Research Areas
The MOPGA 2027 fellowship covers five broad research areas:
- Earth system sciences
- Climate change and sustainability sciences
- Energy transition
- Societal challenges related to environmental issues
- Human, animal and environmental health under the One Health approach
Innovative projects using advanced technologies within these research areas will receive particular consideration during the selection process.
Applicants proposing One Health projects should note that the program requires an integrated approach that considers the interactions between human health, animal health and ecosystems. Projects focusing exclusively on medicine or human health without a genuine environmental or animal health component are not eligible.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements.
Candidates must hold a doctoral degree awarded less than five years before the application deadline. For the 2027 call, applicants must have defended their PhD thesis between December 2021 and December 2026 inclusive.
Applicants must also:
- Be of foreign nationality; French nationals are not eligible.
- Apply to undertake international research mobility to France.
- Not be residing and professionally active in France at the time of application.
- Not have previously received a MOPGA fellowship.
An exception to the five-year PhD eligibility period may be available in cases involving maternity leave. The eligibility period may be extended by 18 months per child, or by the actual duration of maternity leave, subject to supporting documentation.
Fellowship Benefits
The MOPGA fellowship provides financial and insurance support for a 12-month research stay in France.
Successful fellows receive:
- €2,500 monthly allowance
- €500 settling-in allowance
- Health insurance
- Civil liability insurance
- Repatriation assistance
- Supplementary health insurance after registration with the French social security system
Over the 12-month fellowship, the monthly allowance amounts to €30,000, excluding the additional €500 settling-in allowance.
International travel to France is not covered by the fellowship. However, the host laboratory may potentially provide assistance with travel costs.
The fellowship is not renewable and cannot be combined with a French employment contract or another individual funding award from a French government entity.
Host Institution Requirement
Applicants must identify a suitable French host laboratory or research institution as part of the application process.
The host laboratory must provide an appropriate scientific environment and the resources necessary to complete the proposed research project.
Host laboratories do not receive funding from the MOPGA program. Laboratory costs are also not covered by the fellowship and should be discussed directly with the host institution.
Applicants can use the Campus France Research in France Portal and laboratory directories to identify potential hosts.
Application Requirements
Applicants will need to submit a research project containing several components, including:
- Project title
- Six keywords
- Research project summary
- Background and motivation
- Scientific objectives
- Methodology and timeline
- Relevance to the MOPGA initiative
- International collaboration and expected impact
The application may be submitted in English or French.
Required documents include a CV with publications, doctoral degree certificate or official proof, the host supervisor’s CV, a supervisor support letter, one to three recommendation letters and a copy of the applicant’s passport or national identity document.
Application Deadline and Timeline
The MOPGA 2027 application timeline is:
Applications open: 15 September 2026
Application deadline: 15 December 2026
Results announced: May–June 2027
Research stay begins: September–December 2027
Applications must be submitted online through the official Campus France application platform. Applications sent by email will not be considered.
How to Apply
Early-career researchers interested in the MOPGA 2027 Visiting Fellowship Program should first identify an appropriate research theme and French host laboratory.
Applicants should then prepare their research proposal and supporting documents before submitting the application through the official online platform.
The deadline is 15 December 2026, so eligible researchers should begin contacting potential French host institutions well in advance.
Fellowship: €2,500 per month for 12 months
Additional allowance: €500 settling-in allowance
Duration: 12 months
Location: France
Eligible applicants: International early-career researchers
Deadline: 15 December 2026
