MOPGA 2027 Fellowship

The Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) Fellowship 2027 is an international research mobility programme supporting early-career scientists and researchers who wish to undertake environmental and climate-related research in France.

Funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE), in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space (MESRE), and implemented by Campus France, the programme encourages international scientific cooperation and research addressing global environmental challenges.

Selected fellows spend 12 months conducting an approved research project at a French host laboratory under the supervision of an established researcher.

The programme focuses on five priority research themes:

• Earth System Sciences: Environmental change, Earth observation, modelling and ecosystem processes.
• Climate Change and Sustainability Sciences: Climate impacts, sustainable development and environmental solutions.
• Energy Transition: Renewable energy, low-carbon technologies and energy efficiency.
• Societal Challenges Related to Environmental Issues: Environmental policy, governance, economics and social transformation.
• One Health: Integrated research addressing the relationships between human health, animal health and ecosystems.

Projects using innovative technological approaches within these themes receive particular consideration.

Researchers from different academic disciplines, including the humanities and social sciences, may apply if their proposed research fits the programme's environmental priorities.

The fellowship is intended for researchers who have already completed their doctoral studies. It is not a master's scholarship or a PhD degree programme.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Nationality: Hold exclusively non-French nationality. Applicants from all countries except France are eligible.
• Academic Qualification: Hold a doctoral degree (PhD).
• PhD Completion Period: Have defended their doctoral thesis between December 2021 and December 2026, inclusive.
• Career Stage: Be an early-career researcher eligible under the programme's doctoral completion requirements.
• International Mobility: Apply to undertake a research stay in France.
• Residence and Employment: Must not be both residing and professionally active in France when applying.
• Previous Fellowship: Must not have previously received a MOPGA fellowship.
• Research Area: Propose a project within one or more of the five eligible MOPGA research themes.
• French Host Institution: Identify a suitable French host laboratory and obtain the required scientific supervisor's support.
• Research Proposal: Submit a project describing its objectives, methodology, timeline, relevance and expected impact.
• Language: Applications may be submitted in English or French.

Successful MOPGA 2027 fellows receive:

• €2,500 Monthly Allowance: Financial support for 12 months.
• €500 Settling-in Allowance: A one-time payment during the first month.
• Total Cash Support: €30,500 across the fellowship period.
• Health Insurance: Coverage arranged under the programme.
• Civil Liability Insurance: Included in the fellowship coverage.
• Repatriation Assistance: Provided under the insurance arrangements.
• Supplementary Health Insurance: Available after registration with the French social security system.
• Research Facilities: Access to the facilities and scientific environment provided by the French host laboratory.
• International Research Collaboration: Opportunities to work with researchers at French institutions.
• French Government Scholarship Holder Status: Successful applicants receive BGF scholarship-holder status.

Applicants must prepare:

• Academic CV: Maximum four pages, including a list of publications.
• PhD Degree Certificate: Doctoral diploma or acceptable official proof of completion.
• Host Supervisor's CV: Maximum two pages.
• Supervisor Support Letter: Signed by the French scientific supervisor and co-signed by the laboratory director, or accompanied by a separate commitment letter from the laboratory director.
• Recommendation Letters: Minimum one and maximum three.
• Identity Document: Copy of passport or national identity document.
• Research Project Proposal: Completed through the official application form.

The research proposal must include:

• Research project title and six keywords.
• Research summary (maximum 2,000 characters).
• Background and motivation (maximum 2,000 characters).
• Scientific objectives (maximum 2,000 characters).
• Methodology and timeline (maximum 4,500 characters).
• Relevance to the MOPGA initiative (maximum 2,000 characters).
• International collaboration or expected impact for the applicant's country of residence or origin (maximum 2,000 characters).

The selection process consists of an initial scientific assessment followed by final selection by a scientific committee.

Applications are considered in relation to:

• Relevance of the proposed project to MOPGA research themes.
• Scientific objectives and proposed research methodology.
• Feasibility and timeline of the research project.
• Expected scientific, environmental or international impact.
• Alignment between the project and the French host laboratory's research objectives.
• Innovative approaches using advanced technologies, which receive particular consideration.

• International Research Experience: Conduct research within an established French scientific institution.
• Environmental Impact: Contribute to research addressing climate change and global sustainability challenges.
• Research Collaboration: Develop connections with French and international scientific communities.
• Academic Development: Strengthen research capabilities through a structured postdoctoral research stay.
• Interdisciplinary Opportunities: Explore links between environmental sciences, technology, policy, health and society.
• Career Development: Build experience that may support future academic and research opportunities.