MOPGA 2026: Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers

If you are an early career researcher passionate about climate, environment, health-ecosystem links, or sustainability, the MOPGA (Make Our Planet Great Again) 2026 Visiting Fellowship is now open for applications. This French government–backed mobility program enables outstanding international researchers to spend 12 months in France conducting cutting-edge research in collaboration with leading French teams. Below is a full overview, eligibility details, benefits, and application guidance to help prospective applicants.

🎓 Fellowship Summary

• Location: France

• Host Institution: French research laboratories / institutions (selected by applicant)

• Level: Postdoctoral / early career researcher (visiting fellowship)

• Target Group: Non-French nationals, early career researchers (within 5 years of PhD defense)

• Fields / Themes:

  • Earth system sciences

  • Climate change & sustainability science

  • Energy transition

  • Societal challenges linked to environment

  • One Health (human, animal, ecosystem health)

• Value & Coverage:

  • Monthly allowance: €2,500

  • One-time installation grant: €500

  • Health coverage (insurance, civil liability, repatriation, French social security affiliation)

• Award Duration: 12 months (non-renewable)

• Application Deadline: 12 December 2025 (23:59 CET)

• Start Date: Between September and December 2026

• Eligible To: International researchers who defended their PhD between Dec 2020 and Dec 2025, have not resided in France for more than 90 days (Sept–Dec 2025), and are not French citizens

🧭 Fellowship Overview

Research Themes & Focus

MOPGA 2026 supports research in five key areas:

1. Earth system sciences

2. Climate change sciences & sustainability

3. Energy transition

4. Societal challenges of environmental issues

5. One Health (integrating human, animal, and ecosystem health)

Note: purely medical/human health projects with no environmental dimension are not eligible.

Innovative, interdisciplinary projects using advanced technologies are encouraged.

🧩Fellowship Conditions

• Structured under France’s Research Stay Scheme (séjour de recherche)

• Laureates hold French Government Scholarship (BGF) status

• Host laboratories do not receive direct funding; funds are for the fellow’s living expenses

• A research stay hosting agreement must be signed between the fellow and host institution

• Travel costs are not covered (though some labs may help)

🔎 Selection Process

• Step 1: Peer review by experts in relevant fields

• Step 2: Final decision by a scientific selection committee

🎁 Benefits of MOPGA 2026

• Monthly stipend: €2,500

• One-time installation allowance: €500

• Full health coverage (insurance, liability, repatriation, social security complement)

• Prestigious BGF status and affiliation with top French institutions

• Access to France’s advanced research infrastructure and academic community

• International networking and collaboration opportunities

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Non-French citizenship (French nationals not eligible)

• PhD defended between Dec 2020 – Dec 2025

• Must not have resided in France >90 days between Sept–Dec 2025

• Exemption possible for maternity leave (18 months per child)

• Secure a French host laboratory willing to support the project

• Submit all documents in PDF format within size limits

📝 Application Procedure

• Apply online only via: https://campusfrance.smapply.io/prog/mopga-2026/

• Deadline: 12 December 2025 (23:59 CET)

• Applications by email or outside the portal are not accepted

🗂️ Required Documents (all in PDF)

1. Applicant’s CV (max 4 pages)

2. PhD diploma or completion certificate

3. Host lab supervisor’s CV (max 2 pages)

4. Letter of support from host supervisor (co-signed by lab director)

5. Up to 3 letters of recommendation

6. Passport / proof of ID

7. Optional: additional documents (figures, graphs, parental leave proof)

✍🏻 Research Project Sections (online form)

• Title & keywords (6)

• Abstract (max 2,000 characters)

• Scientific context & motivation (2,000)

• Objectives (2,000)

• Methodology & timeline (4,500)

• Relevance to MOPGA themes (2,000)

• Expected collaborations & impact (2,000)

• Host lab & institution details

💡 Tips & Additional Notes

• Start early to secure a French host lab

• Align project closely with MOPGA themes (especially One Health)

• Respect character limits in all sections

• Proofread documents for consistency & signatures

• Respect file naming and size rules (oversized files risk rejection)

• Submit well before deadline; late submissions won’t be considered

• Keep proof of submission and backups

🔗 Apply Now

🔗 Official Link

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