MOPGA 2026: Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers

In line with its commitment to the Paris Agreement, France, a major player in the fight against climate change, is launching a new edition of the MOPGA program to strengthen scientific contributions to the issues addressed at the Conferences of the Parties (COP).

This ninth call for applications, funded by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE), in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR) and implemented by Campus France, will welcome international early career researchers wishing to conduct a research project in France, thereby promoting their collaboration with leading French research institutions.

 

RESEARCH THEMES

Five major research areas are eligible:

• Earth system sciences
• Climate change ciences and sustainability science
• Energy transition
• Societal challenges related to environmental issues
• Human, animal, and environmental health as defined within the One Health approach*

Innovative approaches promoting advanced technologies will be favored during the selection.

*Please note: only projects adopting an integrated “One Health” approach, i.e., taking into account the interactions between human health, animal health, and ecosystems, are eligible. Projects relating solely to medicine or human health with no real environmental or animal link are not eligible.

For more information, please visit the MOPGA Research Themes page.  

 

ELIGIBILITY

Individuals fitting the following criteria are eligible to apply:

• Applicants who do NOT hold French citizenship
• Foreign researchers holding a doctoral degree for less than 5 years (must have passed their thesis defense between December 2020 and December 2025)
• Foreign researchers who have not resided in France between Sept. 12th, 2025 and Dec. 12th, 2025 (more than 90 days) 

 

FELLOWSHIP CONDITIONS AND FRAMEWORK

The fellowships are awarded for a period of 12 months.

Each fellowship includes (exclusively):

• a monthly allowance of €2,500;
• a one-time installation grant of €500;
• health coverage: health insurance, civil liability, and repatriation assistance (followed by complementary health coverage once affiliation to the French social security system is completed).

This program is part of the Research Stay Scheme (séjour de recherche), created by the Research Programming Law 2021–2030 (LPR, Article 12) and enshrined in the French Research Code under Article L.434-1. Laureates are granted the status of French Government Scholarship holders (BGF). The fellowship is paid directly by Campus France. A research stay hosting agreement must be established between the host institution in France and the researcher.

By supporting an application, host laboratories commit to providing a scientific environment suited to the project throughout the fellowship period. The host laboratory does not receive any funding; the fellowship amount is intended solely to cover the living expenses of the visiting researcher.

For more information on the implementation of the research stay scheme, applicants may visit the dedicated page on the French Ministry for Higher Education and Research website. 

 

SELECTION PROCESS

In line with the ambitions and requirements of the call for applications, the selection process will take place in two phases.
First, scientific experts appointed by the MESR in the relevant fields will evaluate the submitted applications.
Second, a scientific selection committee will make the final decision on the laureates of the MOPGA 2026 program.

 

RESEARCH PROJECT

The application must include the following elements:

• Research Project Title;
• Keywords (6);
• Abstract of the Research Project (max. 2,000 characters);
• Context and motivation (max. 2,000 characters);
• Scientific Objectives (max. 2,000 characters);
• Methodology and Timeline (max. 4,500 characters);
• Positioning of the project in relation to the MOPGA initiative (max. 2,000 characters);
• International collaboration and/or expected impact for the applicant’s country of origin or residence (max. 2,000 characters).

The application may be written in English or French. 

 

DOCUMENTS NEEDED

Applicants must provide the following documents:

• CV with list of publications ( max. 4 pages)
• PhD Diploma (or completion certificate)
• CV of the scientific advisor at the host laboratory (max. 2 pages)
• Letter of support from the scientific advisor, co-signed by the laboratory director or accompanied by a letter of commitment from the latter, certifying the availability of the scientific environment and resources necessary for the successful completion of the research project, as well as alignment with the laboratory’s objectives
• Up to 3 letters of recommendation
• Passport or proof of ID

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants must submit their research project online at the following link: : https://campusfrance.smapply.io/prog/mopga-2026/ 

Be sure to consult the FAQ down below and download the application guide. 

 

TIMELINE

• September 12th 2025: Application period opens
• December 12th 2025: Application period ends  
• May/June 2026 : Notification of the results
• Between September 2026 and December 2026 (at the latest): Arrival in France and start of the fellowship