France’s MOPGA 2026 Fellowship: Fully Funded Research Opportunities for Early-Career Researchers
The French Government, through the Ministries of Europe & Foreign Affairs and Higher Education & Research, via Campus France, is inviting applications for the 2026 edition of the Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) Visiting Fellowship. The programme supports international early-career researchers to carry out one year of research in France focused on environmental, climate, health - ecosystem interface, and sustainability topics.
Quick Insight: Applicants must have obtained their PhD recently, propose projects aligned with priority environmental/climate themes, and not have stayed in France for more than 90 days during a reference period. It’s a great chance for exposure, collaboration, and access to French labs without tuition or lab funding hoops for the host institution.
1. Eligible Research Themes
Projects must fall under one of **five priority areas**:
• Earth System Sciences
• Climate Change & Sustainability Science
• Energy Transition
• Societal Challenges related to Environmental Issues
• Human, Animal, and Environmental Health, using the **One Health** approach (linking ecosystem, animal, and human health)
Note: Proposals solely in human health or medicine without environmental or animal/ ecosystem connection are not eligible.
2. Who Can Apply
• Early-career researchers from any country **except France**.
• Must have earned a doctoral degree **within the last 5 years** (i.e. PhD defence between December 2020 & December 2025).
• Applicants should **NOT** have resided in France for more than 90 days in total between **12 Sept 2025** and **12 Dec 2025**.
3. Fellowship Benefits & Duration
• Duration: **12 months**, non-renewable.
• Monthly stipend: **€2,500** for living expenses.
• One-time installation / relocation grant: **€500**.
• Health coverage: includes health insurance, civil liability, repatriation assistance; after formal affiliation with French social security, complementary coverage applies.
• Status: Fellows will be French Government Scholarship holders (BGF) and must have a hosting agreement with a French laboratory.
4. Application Requirements
Applicants must prepare:
• Research project proposal, including title, keywords (6), abstract (max ~2,000 characters), context & motivation (~2,000 chars), scientific objectives (~2,000 chars), methodology & timeline (~4,500 chars), and explain impacts and alignment with MOPGA themes.
• Supporting documents: CV (max 4 pages) with publications; PhD diploma or certificate; host supervisor’s CV (max 2 pages); letter of support / commitment from French host lab; up to 3 recommendation letters; passport / proof of identity.
5. Important Dates & Selection
• Application opens: **12 September 2025**.
• Deadline: **12 December 2025**.
• Notification of results: ~May/June 2026.
• Fellowship start: Between **September and December 2026**.
• Number of fellowships: ~**60** positions.
Why This Fellowship Is Worth Applying
• Opportunity to work in leading French labs on climate and environment topics.
• Solid financial support — stipend, relocation help, health coverage.
• International networking, visibility, and experience in European research settings.
• Strong emphasis on impact and One Health approach, which aligns with global research priorities.
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