YBB – Are you an early-career researcher passionate about climate change, sustainability, or environmental innovation? The MOPGA Fellowship Program 2027 in France offers an opportunity to conduct postdoctoral research at a French research institution while receiving a monthly allowance of €2,500.
The Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) Visiting Fellowship supports international researchers working on environmental and climate challenges. Funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE), in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space (MESRE), the program is implemented by Campus France.
Successful applicants can undertake a 12-month research stay beginning in 2027. In addition to the monthly allowance, the fellowship provides a one-time settling-in grant and health coverage. Furthermore, the program does not charge admission or tuition fees.
If you hold a recent doctoral degree and want to contribute to research with international relevance, this fellowship could be a valuable next step in your academic career.
About the MOPGA Fellowship Program 2027
The MOPGA initiative aims to strengthen international scientific contributions to climate change and environmental challenges. Through this fellowship, early-career researchers can develop a research project in France and collaborate with established French research institutions.
Rather than offering a general research grant for any discipline, MOPGA focuses on projects that address specific environmental and sustainability priorities. Therefore, applicants should establish a clear research proposal and identify a suitable French research laboratory before applying.
The selected laboratory must provide an appropriate scientific environment for the proposed project. Consequently, applicants should contact potential research supervisors early and discuss whether their projects align with the laboratory’s expertise.
Fellows who receive the award also gain French Government Scholarship holder status. This provides an opportunity to strengthen international research connections while contributing to scientific work on global environmental challenges.
MOPGA Fellowship 2027 Research Themes
Applicants must align their research proposals with at least one of the program’s five eligible research areas.
1. Earth System Sciences
Research may examine the Earth’s interconnected natural systems and the processes that shape environmental conditions.
2. Climate Change and Sustainability Sciences
Projects can investigate climate change, its consequences, and approaches that support long-term environmental sustainability.
3. Energy Transition
This theme covers research related to the transition toward more sustainable energy systems and solutions.
4. Societal Challenges Related to Environmental Issues
Researchers can explore the social dimensions of environmental challenges, including their effects on communities and society.
5. Human, Animal, and Environmental Health
This area follows the One Health approach, which considers the connections between human health, animal health, and ecosystems.
Importantly, projects under the One Health theme must address these interconnected dimensions. Research focused solely on medicine or human health without a meaningful environmental or animal health component does not qualify.
In addition, the program gives particular consideration to innovative approaches that use advanced technologies within the eligible research themes.
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Benefits of the MOPGA Fellowship Program 2027
The MOPGA Fellowship provides financial support to help international researchers complete their research stays in France.
Successful fellows receive the following benefits:
- €2,500 monthly allowance for 12 months.
- €500 one-time settling-in allowance to help with initial expenses.
- Health insurance, civil liability insurance, and repatriation assistance.
- Supplementary health coverage after registration with the French social security system.
- A 12-month research opportunity at a French research institution.
- Opportunities to develop international scientific collaborations.
- French Government Scholarship holder status.
Moreover, the program does not charge admission or tuition fees because it supports a research stay rather than enrollment in a degree program.
Important: The fellowship does not automatically cover international airfare. Applicants should discuss possible travel assistance directly with their selected French research laboratory. The allowance is intended to support the fellow’s living expenses, and the fellowship cannot be combined with a French employment contract or other individual funding awarded by a French government entity.
Eligibility Criteria for the MOPGA Fellowship 2027
The fellowship targets early-career international researchers who want to conduct research in France. Before applying, make sure you meet the following requirements.
Applicants must:
- Hold a doctoral degree and have defended their PhD thesis between December 2021 and December 2026, inclusive.
- Hold foreign nationality; applicants with French nationality are not eligible.
- Apply for an international research stay in France.
- Not reside or work professionally in France at the time of application.
- Not have received a MOPGA fellowship previously.
- Propose a research project that fits the program’s eligible themes.
- Identify a suitable French research laboratory and scientific supervisor.
If you have completed your PhD defense but have not yet received your diploma, you may submit an official document confirming that the defense took place, in accordance with the program’s requirements.
Additionally, applicants should ensure their research proposal explains the project’s scientific objectives, methods, timeline, and relevance to the MOPGA initiative.
The official call also provides a possible extension to the doctoral eligibility period in certain maternity-leave cases, subject to supporting documentation. Therefore, applicants in this situation should review the official eligibility guidance carefully.
Required Documents
Prepare the following documents before starting your application:
- CV with publication list: Maximum four pages.
- Doctoral degree certificate: Or an accepted official document confirming completion of the degree.
- Scientific supervisor’s CV: Maximum two pages.
- Letter of support from the scientific supervisor: This must be co-signed by the laboratory director or accompanied by a commitment letter from the director.
- Recommendation letters: At least one and no more than three.
- Passport or national identity document.
The supervisor’s supporting documentation should confirm that the laboratory can provide the scientific environment and resources required for the proposed research. It should also demonstrate that the project aligns with the laboratory’s objectives.
In addition to these documents, applicants must prepare the research project description and complete all required sections of the online form.
How to Apply for the MOPGA Fellowship Program 2027
Applications must be submitted online through the official Campus France application portal. Follow these steps to prepare your submission.
Step 1: Define Your Research Project
Choose a research question that addresses one or more of the five eligible MOPGA themes. Then, develop a clear proposal that explains the problem, scientific objectives, methodology, and expected impact.
Step 2: Find a French Research Laboratory
Identify a French laboratory or research unit that matches your research interests. Contact a potential scientific supervisor after defining your project and discuss whether the laboratory can support your proposed research.
Step 3: Prepare Your Research Proposal
The application requires several sections, including:
- Research project title and six keywords.
- Project summary.
- Background and motivation.
- Scientific objectives.
- Methodology and timeline.
- Relevance to the MOPGA initiative.
- International collaboration and expected impact on your country of residence or origin.
Pay attention to the character limits specified for each section. You can submit your application in English or French.
Step 4: Gather Your Supporting Documents
Prepare your CV, doctoral degree documentation, supervisor’s CV, support letter, recommendation letters, and passport or national identity document.
Step 5: Complete the Online Application
Create an account on the Campus France application portal and enter the required personal, academic, and research information. Upload your supporting documents in the appropriate sections.
Step 6: Review and Submit
Review every section before submitting your application. Check that your research proposal matches the program’s themes and that all supporting documents meet the official requirements.
You can access the application portal here:
Apply Now: https://campusfrance.smapply.io/prog/mopga_2027/
Official Program Information: https://www.campusfrance.org/en/mopga-2027
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the MOPGA Fellowship Program 2027 is December 15, 2026. According to Campus France, the application period opened on September 15, 2026.
Because the application requires a research proposal and a supporting agreement from a French research laboratory, applicants should start preparing early. In particular, contacting a suitable scientific supervisor can take time, so avoid leaving this step until the final days.
Tips to Strengthen Your MOPGA Application
A strong application should demonstrate both scientific quality and a clear connection to the program’s priorities.
First, select a research question that directly addresses an eligible theme. Then, explain how your project can contribute to scientific understanding or practical solutions for climate and environmental challenges.
Next, build a clear methodology and realistic timeline. Explain how you will carry out the research during the 12-month stay and why the selected laboratory offers an appropriate scientific environment.
Furthermore, describe the potential for international collaboration and the project’s expected impact on your country of residence or origin. These details help demonstrate the wider relevance of your research.
Finally, contact your prospective supervisor early and ensure that all supporting documents meet the official requirements before submitting your application.
Conclusion
The MOPGA Fellowship Program 2027 in France offers early-career international researchers a 12-month opportunity to investigate climate change, sustainability, energy transition, and other environmental challenges. With a €2,500 monthly allowance, a €500 settling-in grant, and health coverage, the fellowship provides financial support for an international research stay.
However, applicants must hold a qualifying doctoral degree, meet the nationality and residency requirements, and propose research that aligns with the program’s themes. They must also identify a suitable French research laboratory and prepare the required supporting documents.
If your research interests match MOPGA’s priorities, start developing your proposal and contacting potential scientific supervisors now. Submit your application through the official Campus France portal before December 15, 2026.
