MOPGA 2026 Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers

Launched in 2018, the Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) initiative continues to attract interest from the international scientific community and an ever-growing number of talented individuals wishing to contribute to research on major environmental and climate issues. 

Recognized by French laboratories and research institutions, MOPGA is an emblematic postdoctoral mobility program in France and one of the flagship grant programs of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE).

Five major research areas are eligible:

• Earth system sciences
• Climate change cciences and sustainability science
• Energy transition
• Societal challenges related to environmental issues
• Human, animal, and environmental health as defined within the One Health approach*

Innovative approaches promoting advanced technologies will be favored during the selection.

• Table of Content
• About Campus France
• MOPGA Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers
• Aim and Benefits of MOPGA Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers
• Requirements for MOPGA Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for MOPGA Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Campus France

Created by the law of July 27th, 2010, Campus France is a public enterprise of an industrial and commercial nature. Find below the agency's different committees and the organisational chart.

MOPGA Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers

Aim and Benefits of MOPGA Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers

The fellowships are awarded for a period of 12 months.

Each fellowship includes (exclusively):

• a monthly allowance of €2,500;
• a one-time installation grant of €500;
• health coverage: health insurance, civil liability, and repatriation assistance (followed by complementary health coverage once affiliation to the French social security system is completed).

This program is part of the Research Stay Scheme (séjour de recherche), created by the Research Programming Law 2021–2030 (LPR, Article 12) and enshrined in the French Research Code under Article L.434-1. Laureates are granted the status of French Government Scholarship holders (BGF). The fellowship is paid directly by Campus France. A research stay hosting agreement must be established between the host institution in France and the researcher.

By supporting an application, host laboratories commit to providing a scientific environment suited to the project throughout the fellowship period. The host laboratory does not receive any funding; the fellowship amount is intended solely to cover the living expenses of the visiting researcher.

For more information on the implementation of the research stay scheme, applicants may visit the dedicated page on the French Ministry for Higher Education and Research website. 

Requirements for MOPGA Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers Qualification

Individuals fitting the following criteria are eligible to apply:

• Applicants who do NOT hold French citizenship
• Foreign researchers holding a doctoral degree for less than 5 years (must have passed their thesis defense between December 2020 and December 2025)
• Foreign researchers who have not resided in France between Sept. 12th, 2025 and Dec. 12th, 2025 (more than 90 days) 

Interview date, Process and Venue for MOPGA Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers

In line with the ambitions and requirements of the call for applications, the selection process will take place in two phases.
First, scientific experts appointed by the MESR in the relevant fields will evaluate the submitted applications.
Second, a scientific selection committee will make the final decision on the laureates of the MOPGA 2026 program.

RESEARCH PROJECT

The application must include the following elements:

• Research Project Title;
• Keywords (6);
• Abstract of the Research Project (max. 2,000 characters);
• Context and motivation (max. 2,000 characters);
• Scientific Objectives (max. 2,000 characters);
• Methodology and Timeline (max. 4,500 characters);
• Positioning of the project in relation to the MOPGA initiative (max. 2,000 characters);
• International collaboration and/or expected impact for the applicant’s country of origin or residence (max. 2,000 characters).

The application may be written in English or French. 

Documents Required for Application

Applicants must provide the following documents:

• CV with list of publications ( max. 4 pages)
• PhD Diploma (or completion certificate)
• CV of the scientific advisor at the host laboratory (max. 2 pages)
• Letter of support from the scientific advisor, co-signed by the laboratory director or accompanied by a letter of commitment from the latter, certifying the availability of the scientific environment and resources necessary for the successful completion of the research project, as well as alignment with the laboratory’s objectives
• Up to 3 letters of recommendation
• Passport or proof of ID

Check also:
Tony Elumelu Foundation African Entrepreneurship Programme 2026

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their research project online at the following link: : https://campusfrance.smapply.io/prog/mopga-2026/ 

For more details, visit MOPGA Fellowship webpage