MOPGA 2026 Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers in France
Table of Contents
The MOPGA 2026 Visiting Fellowship Program offers an opportunity for international early career researchers to conduct a 12-month research project in France. The MOPGA Fellowship 2026 is designed for foreign researchers who completed their PhD within the specified eligibility period and whose research focuses on major environmental, climate, sustainability, energy, societal or One Health challenges.
Launched in 2018, the Make Our Planet Great Again initiative has become an important international research mobility program in France. The MOPGA 2026 call is funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE), in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR), and implemented by Campus France.
For researchers interested in postdoctoral fellowships in France, climate change research, sustainability research, environmental science and international research collaboration, the MOPGA Fellowship 2026 provides an opportunity to join a French research laboratory and develop an internationally connected research project.
ALSO READ: Harvard University Du Bois Fellows Program 2027–2028: Fully Funded Research Fellowship in African & African American Studies
MOPGA 2026 Fellowship Overview
The MOPGA 2026 Visiting Fellowship is a research mobility opportunity for international early career researchers who want to undertake research in France.
| Opportunity | MOPGA 2026 Visiting Fellowship |
|---|---|
| Program | Make Our Planet Great Again |
| Location | France |
| Fellowship type | Visiting Research Fellowship |
| Research level | Early Career / Postdoctoral Researchers |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Monthly allowance | €2,500 |
| Installation grant | €500 one-time |
| Health coverage | Included |
| Eligible applicants | International researchers |
| PhD requirement | PhD defended between December 2020 and December 2025 |
| Application language | English or French |
| Application deadline | December 12, 2025 |
| Fellowship start | September–December 2026 |
| Implemented by | Campus France |
About the MOPGA 2026 Fellowship
The Make Our Planet Great Again program was launched to encourage international scientific cooperation around major environmental and climate challenges.
The MOPGA 2026 Fellowship continues this mission by inviting international early career researchers to develop research projects in collaboration with French research institutions.
The program supports research aligned with France’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and seeks to strengthen scientific contributions to issues addressed through international climate and environmental discussions, including the Conferences of the Parties.
For eligible researchers, the MOPGA Fellowship 2026 provides an opportunity to spend one year conducting research within a suitable French host laboratory.
MOPGA 2026 Research Themes
Applicants for the MOPGA 2026 Visiting Fellowship must propose research connected to one of the program’s five major research areas.
1. Earth System Sciences
Research related to the Earth’s interconnected systems and environmental processes may be considered under this theme.
2. Climate Change Sciences and Sustainability Science
The MOPGA Fellowship 2026 supports research addressing climate change and sustainability challenges.
Projects should demonstrate a meaningful contribution to understanding or addressing environmental and sustainability issues.
3. Energy Transition
Research connected to the transition toward more sustainable energy systems is another eligible area under the MOPGA 2026 program.
4. Societal Challenges Related to Environmental Issues
The fellowship also recognizes research examining societal challenges associated with environmental problems.
5. Human, Animal and Environmental Health — One Health
The MOPGA 2026 Fellowship also accepts research based on an integrated One Health approach.
This means eligible projects must consider the interactions between:
- Human health
- Animal health
- Ecosystems
Projects focused only on medicine or human health, without a genuine environmental or animal-health connection, are not eligible under this theme.
Innovative approaches involving advanced technologies will be favored during the selection process.
Who Is Eligible for the MOPGA 2026 Fellowship?
The MOPGA Fellowship 2026 is specifically intended for international early career researchers.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- They must not hold French citizenship.
- They must be foreign researchers with a doctoral degree obtained within the required five-year period.
- Their PhD thesis must have been defended between December 2020 and December 2025.
- They must not have resided in France for more than 90 days during the specified period from September 12, 2025 to December 12, 2025.
Applicants who defend their thesis after December 2025 are not eligible for the 2026 call.
An exemption to the five-year period may be possible in cases involving maternity leave, with the reference period potentially extended by 18 months per child or by the actual duration of maternity leave, subject to supporting documentation.
MOPGA 2026 Fellowship Benefits
One of the major attractions of the MOPGA 2026 Visiting Fellowship is the financial and health support provided to successful fellows.
€2,500 Monthly Allowance
Successful MOPGA 2026 fellows receive a monthly allowance of €2,500 for the 12-month fellowship period.
€500 Installation Grant
Fellows also receive a one-time installation grant of €500 at the beginning of their research stay.
Health Coverage
The fellowship includes health-related coverage consisting of:
- Health insurance
- Civil liability coverage
- Repatriation assistance
- Complementary health coverage following affiliation with the French social security system
French Research Environment
MOPGA fellows have the opportunity to conduct their research in a French host laboratory and collaborate with French research institutions.
The fellowship therefore provides more than financial support; it creates an opportunity for international research collaboration and scientific mobility.
Duration of the MOPGA Fellowship 2026
The MOPGA Fellowship 2026 lasts for 12 months.
The fellowship is non-renewable.
Successful applicants are expected to arrive in France and begin their fellowship between September 2026 and December 2026 at the latest.
Important: Is Travel to France Covered?
International transportation to France is not covered by the MOPGA Fellowship 2026.
However, the host laboratory may be able to provide support for travel expenses. Applicants should therefore discuss this issue directly with their prospective host institution.
Finding a Host Laboratory in France
Finding a suitable French host laboratory is an important part of the MOPGA 2026 application process.
Applicants should identify a research laboratory or research unit that can provide an appropriate scientific environment for their proposed project.
Potential applicants can explore laboratory directories, the Campus France Research Portal or consult supervisors and researchers at their home institutions who may already have collaborations with French laboratories.
Importantly, applicants should define their research project before contacting potential host laboratories.
The host laboratory must provide an appropriate scientific environment for the proposed research throughout the fellowship.
Does the Host Laboratory Receive Funding?
The MOPGA 2026 program does not provide funding to the host laboratory.
The fellowship amount is intended to cover the living expenses of the visiting researcher.
Applicants should therefore discuss laboratory expenses and other research-related requirements directly with their prospective host institution.
MOPGA 2026 Research Project Requirements
A strong research proposal is central to the MOPGA Fellowship 2026 application.
The application must include several components, each with a specified character limit.
Research Project Title
Applicants must provide a clear and relevant title for their proposed research project.
Six Keywords
The application requires six keywords that clearly identify the main concepts and research areas of the project.
Research Project Abstract
Applicants must provide an abstract of no more than 2,000 characters.
Context and Motivation
The context and motivation section has a maximum of 2,000 characters.
Applicants should clearly explain the problem being addressed and why the research is important.
Scientific Objectives
The scientific objectives section is limited to 2,000 characters.
The objectives should clearly communicate what the research intends to achieve.
Methodology and Timeline
Applicants must explain their proposed methodology and timeline in no more than 4,500 characters.
This is one of the longer sections of the MOPGA application and should clearly demonstrate how the research will be conducted.
Positioning Within MOPGA
Applicants must explain how their project aligns with the objectives of the MOPGA initiative.
This section has a maximum of 2,000 characters.
International Collaboration and Expected Impact
The application must also explain international collaboration and/or the expected impact of the research for the applicant’s country of origin or residence.
This section is limited to 2,000 characters.
The research application may be submitted in English or French.
Documents Required for MOPGA 2026
Applicants for the MOPGA 2026 Visiting Fellowship should prepare the following documents:
1. Academic CV
A CV including a list of publications is required.
The CV must not exceed four pages.
2. PhD Diploma
Applicants must provide their PhD diploma or a certificate confirming completion of the doctorate.
3. Host Scientific Advisor’s CV
The scientific advisor at the French host laboratory must provide a CV of no more than two pages.
4. Letter of Support
Applicants need a letter of support from their scientific advisor.
The letter must be co-signed by the laboratory director or accompanied by a commitment letter from the laboratory director.
The documentation must confirm the availability of the scientific environment and resources required for the successful completion of the research project and demonstrate alignment with the laboratory’s objectives.
5. Recommendation Letters
Applicants may submit up to three letters of recommendation.
6. Passport or Proof of Identity
A passport or other acceptable proof of identity is also required.
MOPGA 2026 Selection Process
The MOPGA Fellowship 2026 selection process takes place in two main stages.
Stage 1: Scientific Expert Evaluation
Scientific experts appointed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research evaluate submitted applications according to the relevant research fields.
Stage 2: Final Scientific Selection
A scientific selection committee then makes the final decision regarding the successful MOPGA 2026 fellows.
Because the selection is scientific and competitive, applicants should ensure that their research project is clearly aligned with the MOPGA themes and objectives.
How Competitive Is the Fellowship?
The MOPGA 2026 Fellowship is an internationally oriented research opportunity and is expected to attract applications from researchers around the world.
Applicants should therefore avoid treating the fellowship as simply a funding application.
A competitive MOPGA application should demonstrate:
- A clearly defined research problem
- Strong scientific objectives
- A realistic methodology
- Clear relevance to MOPGA research themes
- A suitable French host laboratory
- Strong international collaboration potential
- Expected impact beyond the researcher’s immediate institution
- A clear connection with environmental, climate, sustainability, energy or One Health challenges
The application should also follow every character limit and document requirement.
How to Prepare a Strong MOPGA 2026 Application
Applicants interested in the MOPGA Visiting Fellowship should begin preparing well before the application deadline.
Choose Your Research Theme Carefully
First, identify which MOPGA research theme best matches your project.
Do not force a project into a theme that it does not genuinely address.
Develop Your Research Project Before Contacting Laboratories
The MOPGA guidance indicates that applicants should define their research project before contacting a potential host laboratory.
A clearly developed project makes it easier for researchers and laboratories to assess whether collaboration is appropriate.
Identify a Suitable French Host
Your host laboratory should have appropriate scientific expertise and resources for your research project.
The relationship between the project and host laboratory should be clear.
Make Your Objectives Specific
Avoid vague objectives.
Clearly explain what the research will investigate, why it matters and what outcomes are expected.
Respect Every Character Limit
The MOPGA application contains specific character limits for different sections.
Applicants should edit their responses carefully to remain within the limits while retaining the most important information.
Prepare Your Documents Early
Your CV, PhD documentation, host advisor CV, support letter, recommendation letters and identification documents should be prepared before the final submission stage.
Common MOPGA 2026 Application Mistakes
Applicants should avoid several common problems when preparing a MOPGA Fellowship 2026 application.
Applying With an Ineligible PhD Date
Researchers who defended their thesis after December 2025 are not eligible for the 2026 call.
Proposing an Unrelated Research Project
The research project must fit within the MOPGA research themes.
Ignoring the One Health Requirement
Projects involving One Health must genuinely address interactions between human health, animal health and ecosystems.
A project focused exclusively on human medicine or human health without a meaningful environmental or animal-health component is not eligible under this theme.
Failing to Secure Appropriate Host Support
A suitable French host laboratory is an important part of the application.
Applicants should establish a clear scientific relationship with the proposed host institution.
Exceeding Character Limits
The application provides maximum character counts for different sections. Applicants should carefully edit their responses before submission.
Sending the Application by Email
MOPGA applications must be submitted through the official online application platform during the application period.
Applications sent by email are not considered.
MOPGA 2026 Application Deadline and Timeline
The official timeline for the MOPGA 2026 Fellowship was:
- September 12, 2025: Applications opened
- December 12, 2025: Application deadline
- May/June 2026: Results notification
- September–December 2026: Arrival in France and fellowship start
Because the application deadline was December 12, 2025, the MOPGA 2026 application period has now closed.
Applicants interested in future MOPGA calls should monitor Campus France for new fellowship announcements.
Career Opportunities After a MOPGA Fellowship
Completing a MOPGA Visiting Fellowship can contribute to an early career researcher’s international research profile.
Potential longer-term benefits can include:
- International research collaboration
- Experience working with French research institutions
- Development of scientific networks
- International publication opportunities
- Exposure to interdisciplinary research
- Collaboration on climate and environmental challenges
- Stronger international research experience
The exact career outcomes will depend on the fellow’s research, collaborations, publications and future career plans.
Is MOPGA 2026 a Master’s or PhD Scholarship?
No.
The MOPGA 2026 Fellowship is not a Master’s scholarship or PhD scholarship.
It is designed for international early career researchers who have already obtained a doctoral degree within the specified period.
Researchers seeking Master’s or PhD funding should explore other French scholarship opportunities, including programs listed through Campus France.
JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP
Official Application Information
The MOPGA 2026 Visiting Fellowship Program was implemented by Campus France on behalf of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
The official application period for MOPGA 2026 closed on December 12, 2025.
For future MOPGA fellowship opportunities, researchers should check official Campus France announcements and verify eligibility, deadlines, research themes and application requirements before applying.
Final Thoughts
The MOPGA 2026 Visiting Fellowship Program represents an important research mobility opportunity for international early career researchers working on climate change, environmental sustainability, energy transition, Earth system sciences, environmental societal challenges and One Health.
With a €2,500 monthly allowance, a €500 installation grant, health coverage and the opportunity to conduct research within a French host laboratory for 12 months, the MOPGA Fellowship provides valuable support for researchers seeking international scientific collaboration.
Although the MOPGA 2026 application deadline has passed, researchers interested in future calls should begin preparing early by developing a strong research proposal, identifying potential French host laboratories, strengthening their academic CV and building international research collaborations.
