Candidates are invited to apply for the 2027 fully funded French Government MOPGA Scholarship. The Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) program, launched in 2018, has become a flagship program for postdoctoral mobility in France and one of the leading fellowship programs of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE). This tenth call for applications is funded by the MEAE, in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space (MESRE), and implemented by Campus France.
France, as a prominent participant in the battle against climate change and a guarantor of the Paris Agreement’s spirit, is launching this new edition to strengthen scientific contributions to the issues addressed at the Conferences of the Parties (COPs). The program enables young international researchers to carry out a research project in France, fostering collaboration with leading French research institutions.
The MOPGA program supports international candidates to conduct research in France. This call for applications is open to researchers who obtained their PhD less than five years ago, specifically those who defended their thesis between December 2021 and December 2026 inclusive. Applicants must be exclusively of foreign nationality. French nationals are not eligible.
Program Details
- Host institutions: Research laboratories and institutions in France.
- Research Field: Earth system sciences; climate change and sustainability sciences; energy transition; societal challenges related to environmental issues; human, animal and environmental health (One Health approach).
- Number of Awards: Not specified.
- Duration: 12 months.
- Eligible countries: Open to citizens of all countries in the world except those holding French nationality.
French Government MOPGA Scholarship Benefits
This French government scholarship program is fully funded and provides the following benefits:
- Monthly allowance of €2,500 for twelve months.
- Settling-in allowance of €500 during the first month of the research stay.
- Health coverage: health insurance, civil liability insurance and repatriation assistance, followed by supplementary health insurance once the fellow has been registered with the French social security system.
Note : A research stay agreement must be signed between the host institution in France and the researcher. Host laboratories do not receive any funding under the program. The fellowship is intended solely to cover the invited researcher’s living expenses. International travel costs are not covered by the program.
2027 MOPGA Scholarships Research Topics
Please find below the 2027 MOPGA Scholarships research themes and required description.
Research themes
Five broad research themes are eligible:
- Earth system sciences;
- Climate change and sustainability sciences;
- Energy transition;
- Societal challenges related to environmental issues;
- Human, animal and environmental health, as defined under the One Health approach.
Only projects adopting an integrated “One Health” approach, taking into account the interactions between human health, animal health, and ecosystems, are eligible. Projects focusing solely on medicine or human health without a genuine environmental or animal health dimension are not eligible. Innovative approaches involving advanced technologies will be given particular consideration.
Description of the Research Project (in English or French)
- Project title;
- Keywords (6);
- Research project summary (max. 2,000 characters);
- Background and motivation (max. 2,000 characters);
- Scientific objectives (max. 2,000 characters);
- Methodology and timeline (max. 4,500 characters);
- Relevance of the project to the MOPGA initiative (max. 2,000 characters);
- International collaboration and/or expected impact for the applicant’s country of residence or country of origin (max. 2,000 characters).
Other Opportunities
French Government MOPGA Scholarship Eligibility
To apply for the Make Our Planet Great Again Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a doctoral degree awarded less than five years before the application deadline, i.e. have defended their PhD thesis between December 2021 and December 2026 inclusive. An exception may be granted in the case of maternity leave, where the eligibility period may be extended by 18 months per child, or by the actual duration of the maternity leave, upon submission of supporting documents.
- Be exclusively of foreign nationality (all nationalities are eligible except French nationality).
- Apply for the purpose of undertaking international mobility to France.
- Not be residing and professionally active in France at the time of application.
- Not have previously received an MOPGA fellowship.
Selection Process
The selection process takes place in two stages. First, scientific experts appointed by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Space in the relevant fields will assess the applications received. In the second stage, a scientific committee will make the final selection of the MOPGA 2027 fellows.
How to Apply for the French Government MOPGA Scholarship
Eligible candidates who would like to apply for this Europe scholarship must submit their research project online via the Campus France SMApply platform. Please click on the “apply” button below to access the platform. Applications sent by email will not be considered.
Required Documents
- CV including a list of publications (4 pages max.);
- Doctoral degree certificate (or official proof of degree);
- CV of the scientific supervisor at the host laboratory (2 pages max.);
- Letter of support from the scientific supervisor, co-signed by the laboratory director or accompanied by a letter of commitment from the laboratory director, confirming that the scientific environment and resources required to carry out the research project will be made available and that the project is consistent with the laboratory’s objectives;
- Letter(s) of recommendation (minimum 1, maximum 3);
- Copy of passport or national identity document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please find below the response to some of the most asked questions
Can I apply if I defend my PhD thesis after December 2026?
No. To be eligible, you must have defended your thesis between December 2021 and December 2026 inclusive. If your doctoral degree certificate has not yet been issued, you may submit an official certificate confirming that your thesis defense has taken place, proof of thesis submission, or any other official document issued by your institution confirming that the defence has taken place.
I obtained my PhD more than five years ago. Can I still apply?
The call is open to researchers who obtained their PhD less than five years ago. An exception may be granted in the case of maternity leave, where the eligibility period may be extended by 18 months per child or by the actual duration of the maternity leave, upon submission of supporting documents.
Is travel to France covered?
No. International travel costs are not covered by the program. Your host laboratory may, however, be able to provide support with these costs.
How long does the funding last?
Twelve months. The fellowship is not renewable.
Are there MOPGA fellowships for master’s or PhD students?
No. There is no MOPGA call for applications for master’s or PhD students.
Are the humanities and social sciences eligible?
Yes. All disciplines are eligible, provided that the project falls within the MOPGA research themes.
Note : For any questions, please contact [email protected]. The application deadline is 15 December 2026. Notification of results is expected between May and June 2027. Successful applicants will arrive in France and begin their research stay between September and December 2027.
The deadline to submit applications for this program is . For more details on the 2027 French Government MOPGA Scholarship, please visit the official page.