MOPGA 2025: Visiting Fellowship Program for early career researchers

France, as a major player in the fight against climate change and guarantor of the spirit of the Paris Agreement, is launching a new MOPGA visiting fellowship program geared towards strengthening scientific contributions to climate change issues raised by the COPs. 

This eighth Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) call for applications is intended to welcome at least 60 early career researchers wishing to carry out their research in France. The program is funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the French Ministry for Higher Education and Research, and implemented by Campus France. 

The MOPGA 2025 Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers will support researchers working on topics listed in the "Research Themes" section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT (IN ENGLISH OR FRENCH)

• Research Project Title
• Keywords (6)
• Abstract of the Research Project (2,000 char. max.)
• Context and Motivation (2,000 char. max.)
• Scientific Objectives (2,000 char. max.)
• Methodology and Timeline (4,500 char. max.)
• Project position in relation to the MOPGA scientific domain (2,000 char. max.)
• Collaborations and/or impacts for the candidate's country of origin or residence in relation to the research project proposal (2,000 characters max.)

WHO MAY APPLY?

• Foreign researchers holding a doctoral degree for less than 5 years
• No nationality restrictions (except France)
• 60 fellowships will be awarded for a 12-month period from September 2025

This fellowship includes the following benefits :

• Monthly allowance of 2,500 euros
• Moving allowance of 500 euros
• Health Insurance plan covering civil liability and repatriation assistance until the MOPGA Fellow's registration to the French Social Security Scheme
• Complementary Health Insurance plan covering civil liability and repatriation assistance once the Social Security registration process is effective.  

A Hosting Agreement (convention de séjour de recherche) will have to be established between the MOPGA Fellow and the host institution. This Agreement will specify the means and resources made available by the host laboratory so that the researcher can carry out the research project. For more information, visit the dedicated page on the French Ministry for Higher Education and Research website.

RESEARCH THEMES

Five broad research themes are eligible:

• Earth systems
• Climate change and sustainability
• Energy transition
• Societal challenges of environmental issues
• Human, animal and ecosystem health as part as a "One Health" approach.

For more information, visit the dedicated page.  

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

SELECTION PROCESS

In line with the ambitions and requirements of this call for applications, the selection process will unfold in two phases. In the first phase, scientific experts in each relevant field will evaluate the applications. In the second phase, an international committee will select the final fellows for the MOPGA 2025 program. 

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 2019 and December 2024)
• Foreign researchers who have not resided in France between Sept. 5th, 2024 and Dec. 5th, 2024 (more than 90 days) 

DOCUMENTS NEEDED

1. CV including the list of your publications in English (4 pages max)
2. PhD Diploma (or certificate of PhD diploma)
3. CV of your research supervisor in the French host institution (2 pages max)
4. Letter of support from the French host institution
5. Letters of recommendation (3 max)
6. Passport or proof of ID

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications should be submitted via the following link: https://campusfrance.smapply.io/prog/mopga-2025/  

TIMELINE

• September 5th 2024: Application period opens
• December 5th 2024: Application period ends  
• May 2025 : Notification of the results
• Between September 2025 and December 2025 (at the latest): Arrival in France and start of the fellowship 

F.A.Q.

Eligibility: 

• What is meant by ‘early career researchers’?

Applicants must have obtained their PhD less than five years prior to the application (i.e. they must have obtained their PhD between December 2019 and December 2024 included).

• Can I apply if I haven't finished my PhD?  

No, only applicants with a PhD obtained between December 2019 and December 2024 included are eligible.

• Can I apply if I'm currently living in France? 

Applicants should not have resided more than 90 days in France between Sept. 5th 2024 and December 5th 2024. 

• Which nationalities are eligible to apply for the MOPGA 2025 Fellowship? 

All foreign nationalities are eligible; candidates should not hold French citizenship. 

• How can I find a host laboratory? 

Part of the application process is to find a prospective host institution that might be interested in your research project. 
Your home institution or former thesis supervisor may already be in touch with French researchers or laboratories; you should explore that option first. Your research project should be well defined and coherent before you get in touch with them.  
You can also visit the following page to help you find a French research laboratory: https://www.campusfrance.org/en/finding-research-laboratory-France 

• I am not eligible but I am interested in scholarship opportunities, can you help?

If you are not eligible for a MOPGA 2025 fellowship but you wish to conduct research in France, you can visit the PhD in France catalog which includes master’s, PhD and postdoc training offers. You also can visit the Campus Bourses catalog which gives useful information on scholarships for foreign students interested in studying in France.

Application characteristics

• Which are the eligible research themes?

This application call is open to research projects relating to earth system sciences, climate change and sustainability sciences, energy transition, societal challenges of environmental issues, human, animal and ecosystem health as part as a "One Health" approach. The concept of "One Health" involves working on the interfaces between different sciences: human and veterinary medicine, agronomy and ecology, sociology, geography, etc.

• If my application is successful, will I be employed by my host institution? 

No, MOPGA Fellows are neither employed by their host institution nor Campus France, they are the recipient of a government fellowship (bourse du gouvernement français). In that regard, there is no work contract but laureates should sign a hosting agreement (convention de séjour de recherche) with their host institution. The monthly stipend paid to the Fellow is of 2,500EUR.

• Does the MOPGA fellowship cover the travel expenses to France?

No, the MOPGA fellowship does not cover the travel expenses to France. Laureates will receive a moving allowance of 500 euros.

•  Is there health insurance coverage? 

Campus France will take out a health insurance plan covering civil liability and repatriation assistance upon the laureate's arrival in France until their registration to the French social security scheme. Once the registration is effective, Campus France will take out a complementary health insurance, covering civil liability and repatriation assistance. Travels abroad will not be covered within this insurance plan. 

• When will the fellowship start?

The fellowship should start between September 2025 and December 2025 at the latest. 

• What is the duration of the fellowship? 

The fellowship will be awarded over a 12-month period.

•  Where should I conduct my research?

The MOPGA 2025 Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers should take place in France in the host laboratory of the French higher institution that support the candidate in the application.

Application

• How can I find a host institution in France and/or a research supervisor?

Candidates may contact their PhD supervisor and/or the jury members of their PhD to find a host institution and/or supervisor in France. They may also visit the PhD in France catalog where they will find postdoc offers.

• Does the character limit include spaces?

Yes, the character limit includes spaces.

• How many recommendation letters can I add to my application?

Up to three recommendation letters can be submitted in the application.

• Do I have to include a English or French translation of my PhD diploma?

Yes, candidates must include an English or French translation of their PhD diploma.

• What is the length of the CV?

Candidates must include their CV in English including the list of their main publications (4 pages m.). Candidates also have to include the CV of their research supervisor in the French host institution (2 pages max.).

• What additional documents should I provide? 

Candidates may upload foreign languages certificates or any documentation that could support their application.

Host institutions

• I am a research supervisor, is there a website that could help me get in touch with potential candidates for this visiting fellowship?

Yes, you can visit the PhD in France catalog. You should create an “institution” account first, and then you will be able to post offers.

• What are the eligible research institutions?

French research centers recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research are eligible to host MOPGA 2025 fellows. See the Ministry of Higher Education and Research page.

• Does the French research laboratory receive any allowance to host the MOPGA fellow?

The French research laboratory will not receive any allowance to host the MOPGA fellow. Laboratory expenses are not covered by the MOPGA 2025 program.

CONTACTS

If you have any questions ...

be sure to contact us at mopga@campusfrance.org, we will be happy to help and will do our best to answer your question promptly.

If you want to be kept up to date with the news on MOPGA calls for applications ...

... and would like to join our mailing list, send an email to infomopga@campusfrance.org with your contact information (last name, first name, email, and preferred MOPGA calls: Master/Doctorate/Post-doctorate/Early Career researchers).