MOPGA 2027: A Fully Funded Year in France for Early Career Researchers

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If you're a recent PhD graduate working on climate, environment, or health, this one is worth a look. 

The tenth edition of the Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) Visiting Fellowship has opened, offering international researchers a funded year at a French research institution.

What is MOPGA?
MOPGA is a flagship postdoctoral mobility programme of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, run by Campus France. Launched in 2018, it supports researchers tackling major environmental and climate challenges. This edition aims to strengthen scientific input on the issues discussed at the COP climate conferences.
Research themes
Projects must fall under one of five areas:
Earth system sciences
Climate change and sustainability sciences
Energy transition
Societal challenges related to environmental issues
Human, animal and environmental health under the One Health approach
Projects using advanced technologies get particular consideration. One Health projects must genuinely link human health, animal health, and ecosystems. Purely medical or human-health projects are not eligible.
What the fellowship offers
€2,500 per month for 12 months
€500 settling-in allowance
Health insurance, civil liability insurance, and repatriation assistance
French Government Scholarship (BGF) status, paid directly by Campus France
It doesn't cover international travel, and the host lab receives no funding. 

The fellowship isn't renewable and can't be combined with a French employment contract or other French government individual funding.
Who can apply?
You must:
Have defended your PhD between December 2021 and December 2026

Hold non-French nationality
Not be living and working in France at the time of application

Documents include:
A CV with publications (4 pages max)
Your doctoral degree certificate
Your host supervisor's CV (2 pages max)
A supervisor support letter, co-signed by or accompanied by a commitment letter from the lab director
1 to 3 recommendation letters
A passport or ID copy

Key dates
15 September 2026: Applications open
15 December 2026: Deadline
Between September and December 2027: Fellows arrive in France

Tips before you apply

Secure your host lab early. Finding one is part of the application, so use the Research in France Portal or your supervisor's 
contacts.

Define your project first. 
Campus France advises having a clear project before approaching labs.
Apply only through the SMApply portal. Emailed applications are not considered.

Need a hand with your proposal? I'm happy to help
I'm glad to support you at every step:
Choosing your project: shaping your idea to fit a MOPGA theme, including the One Health angle
Finding a host lab: deciding who to approach and how to write to them
Writing the proposal: drafting and tightening each section within the character limits, especially the methodology and timeline
Polishing your CV and publication list to fit the 4-page limit
Support and recommendation letters: what to ask for and how to brief your referees
Final review: a check of the full application before you submit

Get in touch:
Email: tahakikpatil@gmail.com
Mobile / WhatsApp: 9623695024

Questions about the programme itself go to mopga@campusfrance.org. 

Applications are submitted at campusfrance.smapply.io/prog/mopga_2027.

Happy learning 🙂

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