MOPGA Visiting Fellowship France: Complete Postdoc & Research Guide

Launched in 2018 in direct alignment with the Paris Climate Agreement, the Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) initiative is one of France's flagship postdoctoral mobility programs. Funded by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR), MOPGA funds international scientists conducting 12-month research projects in top French laboratories.

Fellowship Conditions & Funding Benefits

MOPGA fellows receive the prestigious status of French Government Scholarship holders (BGF). The funding is paid directly by Campus France to cover the visiting researcher's living costs.

Eligible Research Themes

Your research proposal must align with one of the five core thematic areas. Selection committees explicitly prioritize innovative approaches that leverage advanced technologies:

• Earth System Sciences: Atmosphere, oceanography, geology, and planetary dynamics.
• Climate Change Sciences & Sustainability Science: Modeling, mitigation strategies, biodiversity conservation, and renewable systems.
• Energy Transition: Clean energy technologies, grid efficiency, decarbonization, and storage.
• Societal Challenges Related to Environmental Issues: Environmental policy, ecological economics, green urban planning, and climate justice.
• One Health Approach: Integrated studies connecting human health, animal health, and environmental ecosystems.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the visiting fellowship call, applicants must satisfy three strict rules:

1. Non-French Citizenship: You must not hold French nationality (dual nationals holding French citizenship are excluded).
2. Early-Career Postdoc Window: You must have successfully defended your PhD dissertation within the last 5 years prior to the call's deadline (between December 2020 and December 2025).
3. Strict Residency Rule: You must not have resided in France for more than 90 days during the three-month period preceding the annual application deadline (Sept. 12th, 2025 – Dec. 12th, 2025).

Research Proposal Breakdown & Character Limits

Applications are submitted directly through the online Campus France portal in either English or French. Because the portal enforces strict character caps (including spaces), drafting your sections beforehand is essential:

Required Application Documents

Ensure all attachments are prepared in PDF format before submitting:

• Curriculum Vitae: Full academic CV including your publication record (maximum 4 pages).
• PhD Degree: Copy of your doctoral diploma or official certificate of successful thesis defense.
• Host Advisor CV: Academic CV of your primary scientific supervisor in France (maximum 2 pages).
• Host Support Letter: Official letter from the scientific advisor, co-signed by the French laboratory director, certifying lab availability and institutional commitment.
• Letters of Recommendation: Up to 3 reference letters from senior academic peers.
• Identity Proof: Valid passport copy.

Annual Application & Selection Cycle

While calendar dates shift slightly each year, the MOPGA competition operates on a dependable annual cycle:

• September 12, 2025: Call for applications opens online via Campus France.
• December 12, 2025: Strict deadline for submitting full proposals and institutional hosting letters.
• January – April: Two-phase peer review by MESR scientific experts and the final selection committee.
• May / June 2026: Official announcement and notification of laureates.
• September – December 2026: Arrival in France and commencement of the 12-month research stay.

Researcher Visas, Family & Post-Fellowship Settlement

Visa Category: Passeport Talent (Chercheur)

Because the MOPGA fellowship is governed by a formal hosting agreement (Convention d'accueil), fellows enter on the multi-year Passeport Talent — Chercheur. This is one of the most advantageous residence permits in Europe: it waives labor market testing and simplifies administrative paperwork upon arrival.

Bringing Family & Spouse Work Rights

Spouses of MOPGA fellows can enter France under the accompanying Passeport Talent (Famille). This grants your spouse immediate, full legal authorization to work in France across any sector without requiring separate employer sponsorship.

Working Language in French Laboratories

In almost all French public research institutions (CNRS, INRAE, CEA, INRIA, and universities), the daily working language in STEM and climate labs is English. While learning conversational French is highly beneficial for everyday life, you do not need French proficiency to apply or conduct your research.

Frequently Asked Questions