The Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) Fellowship Program 2027 is now accepting applications from early-career international researchers who want to conduct research in France on major environmental, climate and sustainability challenges.
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 supports international researchers undertaking a 12-month research stay at a French research institution.
The 2027 fellowship provides a €2,500 monthly allowance, a €500 settling-in allowance and health-related insurance coverage.
Applications are open to researchers of foreign nationality who obtained their PhD within the eligible five-year period and who are seeking international research mobility to France.
MOPGA Fellowship 2027 Overview
- Programme: Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA)
- Fellowship type: Visiting research fellowship
- Level: Early-career/postdoctoral researchers
- Host country: France
- Duration: 12 months
- Start period: September–December 2027
- Monthly allowance: €2,500
- Settling-in allowance: €500
- Health coverage: Included
- Eligible nationality: All foreign nationalities except French nationality
- Application language: English or French
- Application deadline: December 15, 2026
- Application platform: Campus France SMApply
The MOPGA programme is designed to strengthen international scientific collaboration around environmental and climate challenges and is one of France's major international research mobility initiatives.
What Is the MOPGA Fellowship?
The Make Our Planet Great Again initiative was launched to encourage international scientific collaboration on climate and environmental issues.
For the 2027 edition, France is inviting early-career international researchers to develop research projects with French laboratories and research institutions.
Successful fellows will spend 12 months in France working on an approved research project with a French host laboratory.
The fellowship is therefore particularly suitable for researchers who already have a defined research agenda and want to expand their international research experience.
MOPGA 2027 Research Areas
Projects must address one of five broad research themes:
1. Earth System Sciences
Research concerning Earth's systems, ecosystems, natural processes and environmental change.
2. Climate Change and Sustainability Sciences
Projects may address climate change, sustainability, adaptation, mitigation and related environmental challenges.
3. Energy Transition
Research connected to the transition toward more sustainable and low-carbon energy systems is eligible.
4. Societal Challenges Related to Environmental Issues
This includes research examining the social, economic, political and other societal dimensions of environmental challenges.
5. Human, Animal and Environmental Health
Projects using an integrated One Health approach can apply.
Importantly, projects focusing solely on medicine or human health without a genuine environmental or animal-health dimension are not eligible under this theme.
Innovative projects incorporating advanced technologies within the eligible research areas will receive particular consideration.
MOPGA Fellowship Benefits
Successful applicants receive substantial financial support during their research stay in France.
€2,500 Monthly Allowance
Fellows receive a monthly allowance of €2,500 for 12 months.
This provides support for living expenses throughout the research stay.
€500 Settling-In Allowance
A €500 settling-in allowance is provided during the first month to help with initial expenses associated with establishing yourself in France.
Health Coverage
The fellowship includes health insurance, civil liability insurance and repatriation assistance, followed by supplementary health insurance after registration with the French social security system.
French Government Scholarship Status
Successful candidates receive the status of French Government Scholarship holders (BGF), with the fellowship paid directly by Campus France.
Research Environment in France
Fellows work with a French host laboratory that is expected to provide an appropriate scientific environment and the resources needed to conduct the approved research project.
However, the host laboratory itself does not receive MOPGA funding.
Is Travel to France Covered?
Applicants should take note of an important condition.
International travel to France is not covered by the MOPGA fellowship.
A host laboratory may potentially provide assistance with travel costs, but this is not guaranteed by the MOPGA programme.
Therefore, applicants should not describe MOPGA as a scholarship that covers every cost associated with relocation to France.
Who Can Apply for MOPGA 2027?
Applicants must satisfy all of the main eligibility conditions.
You must:
- Hold a doctoral degree awarded less than five years before the application deadline.
- Have defended your PhD thesis between December 2021 and December 2026, inclusive.
- Be a foreign national. French nationals are not eligible.
- Be applying for international mobility to France.
- Not be residing and professionally active in France at the time of application.
- Not have previously received a MOPGA fellowship.
Researchers whose PhD certificate has not yet been issued may still be eligible if they provide official evidence that their thesis defence has taken place.
An exception to the five-year PhD period may apply in cases of maternity leave, subject to the programme's conditions and supporting documentation.
Who Is MOPGA For?
MOPGA is not a scholarship for master's students or current PhD students.
The 2027 call specifically targets international researchers who have already completed their doctoral research and are now seeking an international research experience in France.
This makes it particularly suitable for:
- Recent PhD graduates
- Early-career researchers
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Researchers working on climate science
- Sustainability researchers
- Energy researchers
- Environmental scientists
- Researchers working on environmental policy
- One Health researchers
- Researchers addressing environmental societal challenges
Humanities and social sciences researchers can also apply, provided their proposed research genuinely fits within the MOPGA themes.
Finding a French Host Laboratory
Finding a suitable French research host is an important part of the application process.
Applicants should identify a laboratory or research unit whose expertise and facilities align closely with their proposed project.
Potential applicants can:
- Search French research laboratory directories.
- Use the Campus France Research in France Portal.
- Contact researchers working in their field.
- Ask their current academic supervisors about existing French research connections.
- Contact potential French supervisors with a concise research proposal.
Your research project should be sufficiently developed before approaching a potential host laboratory.
A successful application requires support from the French scientific supervisor and the host laboratory.
Required Application Documents
Applicants should prepare the following documents:
- CV with publication list, maximum four pages
- Doctoral degree certificate or official proof of the PhD
- CV of the French host laboratory scientific supervisor, maximum two pages
- Letter of support from the scientific supervisor
- Co-signature from the laboratory director or a separate laboratory commitment letter
- One to three recommendation letters
- Passport or national identity document
The supervisor's support letter must confirm that the French laboratory can provide the scientific environment and resources necessary for the proposed project.
Research Project Requirements
The research proposal is a major part of the application.
Applicants must provide information including:
- Project title
- Six keywords
- Research project summary
- Background and motivation
- Scientific objectives
- Methodology and timeline
- Relevance to the MOPGA initiative
- International collaboration and expected impact for the applicant's country of residence or origin
There are specific character limits for each section.
Applications can be prepared in English or French.
How to Apply for MOPGA 2027
Step 1: Develop Your Research Project
Define a research project that clearly addresses one or more of the MOPGA research themes.
Step 2: Find a French Host Laboratory
Identify a French laboratory whose research expertise and facilities match your project.
Step 3: Contact a Potential Supervisor
Discuss your proposal with a potential French scientific supervisor and obtain the required institutional support.
Step 4: Prepare Your Documents
Prepare your CV, PhD documentation, research proposal, recommendation letters, supervisor documents and identification.
Step 5: Submit Online
Applications must be submitted through the official Campus France SMApply platform.
Applications sent by email will not be considered.
Step 6: Wait for Selection
Applications undergo scientific evaluation before final selection by a scientific committee.
MOPGA 2027 Application Deadline
The official deadline for the MOPGA 2027 Fellowship Program is:
December 15, 2026.
The application period opened on September 15, 2026.
Successful candidates are expected to be notified around May–June 2027, with research stays beginning between September and December 2027.
Important Things Applicants Should Know
Before applying, candidates should remember:
- MOPGA is for early-career researchers, not master's or current PhD students.
- A French host laboratory is an essential part of the application.
- The research project must fit the programme's environmental and climate-related themes.
- International travel is not guaranteed to be funded.
- The fellowship lasts 12 months and is not renewable.
- The fellowship cannot be combined with a French employment contract or another individual French government funding award.
Conclusion
The MOPGA Fellowship Program 2027 is an excellent opportunity for recently graduated PhD researchers who want to conduct environmental, climate, sustainability or related research in France.
With a €2,500 monthly allowance, a €500 settling-in allowance, health coverage and access to a French research environment, the programme can provide valuable support for international research mobility.
The most important step is to develop a strong research project and identify an appropriate French host laboratory well before the application deadline.
Eligible researchers should submit their complete application through the official Campus France platform before December 15, 2026.
Official Application: Campus France MOPGA 2027 application portal.
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