MOPGA Scholarship
Make Our Planet Great Again — Complete Guide

Scholarship Overview — What Is the MOPGA Fellowship?

The MOPGA Visiting Fellowship — officially the Make Our Planet Great Again program — is France's most prestigious and internationally visible government fellowship for early-career climate and environmental researchers. Launched in 2018 in direct response to the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, MOPGA was created by the French government as a bold statement: France would actively recruit the world's best environmental scientists, regardless of nationality, and invest in their research at the highest level.

Run annually by Campus France on behalf of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR), the program awards approximately 60 fully funded 12-month fellowships each cycle. Each fellow receives a monthly stipend of €2,500 — significantly higher than most French research fellowships — plus a €500 moving allowance and full health coverage for the duration of their stay.

MOPGA fellows carry out postdoctoral research at leading French universities, Grandes Écoles, and research institutes — including CNRS labs, INRAE, CEA, INRIA, and university-affiliated research units across France. The fellowship explicitly targets five broad thematic areas aligned with the priorities debated at the United Nations Conferences of the Parties (COP): earth system sciences, climate change and sustainability, energy transition, societal challenges of environmental issues, and the "One Health" approach linking human, animal, and ecosystem health.

Unlike most French government scholarships, the MOPGA fellowship has no upper age limit — the only PhD-related constraint is that your thesis must have been defended within the last five years. This makes it uniquely accessible to a wide range of postdoctoral researchers, including those who took career breaks, moved between countries, or came to research later than average. The fellowship is also notable for its prestige status: MOPGA laureates hold the official title of French Government Scholarship holders (Boursiers du Gouvernement Français, BGF), placing them alongside Eiffel scholarship recipients in the hierarchy of French government-recognised academic excellence.

By 2026, the MOPGA program had run nine consecutive annual calls, welcoming hundreds of researchers from every continent into France's scientific community. It is widely recognised in academic circles as one of the most impactful climate-focused postdoctoral mobility programs in Europe, combining generous financial support with access to France's world-class research infrastructure and the symbolic weight of a government fellowship directly linked to the global climate policy agenda.

Exact Financial Package — What Does the MOPGA Fellowship Cover?

Here is a complete breakdown of what the MOPGA fellowship provides, with real-world context on what each element means for an international researcher relocating to France for 12 months:

Who Can Apply — MOPGA Eligibility Requirements

1. Nationality — All Non-French Citizens

The MOPGA fellowship is open to all foreign nationals — there are no restrictions by continent, region, or country. Citizens of every country in the world can apply, provided they do not hold French citizenship. Unlike many European Union-focused fellowships, MOPGA does not distinguish between EU/EEA and non-European applicants — a researcher from Nigeria, India, Brazil, China, or the United States is on exactly the same footing as a researcher from Germany, Spain, or Poland.

2. PhD Requirement — Defended Within the Last 5 Years

Applicants must hold a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) that was defended within the five years preceding the application deadline. For the 2026 cycle (deadline December 12, 2025), this meant a thesis defence between December 2020 and December 2025 inclusive. The five-year window rolls forward each cycle — for the 2027 cycle (expected deadline December 2026), eligibility will cover defences between approximately December 2021 and December 2026. Candidates who have not yet defended their thesis at the time of the deadline are ineligible — there is no exception for "expected" completion.

The PhD does not need to have been obtained in your home country — a PhD from a university anywhere in the world (including a French institution, provided you meet the France residence requirement below) is valid.

3. France Residence Restriction — No More Than 90 Days in the 3 Months Before Deadline

The most commonly misunderstood eligibility criterion: you must not have resided in France for more than 90 days in the three months immediately preceding the application deadline. For the 2026 cycle, this meant not residing in France for more than 90 days between September 12, 2025 and December 12, 2025. This rule is designed to ensure that MOPGA recruits researchers who are genuinely based outside France rather than researchers who are already embedded in the French research system. Brief prior visits, conference trips, or studies completed in previous years in France do not disqualify you — only recent extended residence within that specific 90-day window matters.

4. No Age Limit

There is no upper age limit for the MOPGA fellowship. The only time-based constraint is the five-year PhD window described above. This means researchers who completed their PhDs later in life, or who took career breaks for personal or professional reasons, are equally eligible. This is a significant differentiator from the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship (which caps Master's applicants at 29 and PhD applicants at 30) and the Ampère Scholarship (which caps at 26).

5. Research Alignment with MOPGA Themes

Your proposed research project must fall within one of the five official MOPGA research themes. Projects outside these themes are not eligible regardless of scientific merit. See the Research Themes section below for a detailed breakdown of what falls within each theme.

6. Host Institution Agreement

You must secure a French host institution and research supervisor before submitting your application. A signed letter of support from your French host supervisor (co-signed by the laboratory director) is a required document. Without this, your application is incomplete and will not be reviewed. Finding a suitable host institution is the most time-consuming step in the MOPGA application — allow 2–3 months for this process.

7. Who Is NOT Eligible?

• French nationals (regardless of other qualifications)
• Researchers whose PhD thesis was defended more than 5 years before the application deadline
• Researchers who have not yet defended their PhD thesis at the time of the deadline
• Researchers who have resided in France for more than 90 days in the three months before the application deadline
• Applicants whose research project does not fall within the five official MOPGA research themes
• Applicants without a secured French host institution and supervisor
• Late applications submitted after the December deadline (no exceptions)

The Five MOPGA Research Themes — What Can You Research?

Your entire research proposal must align with one or more of the five thematic pillars of the MOPGA program. These themes are broad enough to encompass work from natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, medicine, agronomy, and economics — but specific enough to exclude general-purpose research with no climate or environment dimension. Here is a detailed breakdown of what each theme covers:

How to Find a French Host Institution — The Most Critical Pre-Application Step

Securing a French host institution and supervisor before applying is not optional — it is a hard requirement of the MOPGA application. Without a letter of support from a French supervisor (co-signed by their laboratory director), your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. This step typically takes 2–3 months and should be started no later than September, well before the December deadline.

How to identify potential host supervisors

• Use the Campus France PhD in France catalogue (phd.campusfrance.org) — it lists postdoctoral and PhD openings at French institutions, including positions that may align with your research profile.
• Search Google Scholar, ResearchGate, or Web of Science for recent publications by French researchers in your specific sub-field. Identify 3–5 researchers whose current work aligns closely with your proposed MOPGA project.
• Check CNRS lab directories (recherche.cnrs.fr) — most CNRS-affiliated units in France are listed with their thematic focus and contact information. CNRS labs are the most common host institutions for MOPGA fellows.
• Ask your current PhD supervisor or postdoc advisor if they have French collaborators working in your area. A warm introduction from your supervisor carries far more weight than a cold email and significantly increases your chances of a positive response.
• Contact MOPGA jury members directly — the jury members are typically senior researchers in the five thematic areas who are well-networked and may be able to suggest potential host labs or supervisors within their network.
• Attend international conferences where French researchers in your area present — in-person connections at conferences are highly effective for initiating potential host relationships.

How to approach a potential host supervisor by email

Your outreach email to a potential French supervisor should be brief (under 300 words), specific, and research-focused. Avoid generic emails — identify one or two of the supervisor's recent publications, explain what you found compelling, and then describe how your proposed research complements or extends their work. Attach your CV and a one-page research abstract. A well-crafted, targeted email to 5–8 potential supervisors is far more effective than sending identical emails to 30 labs.

Check Your Eligibility & Track Your MOPGA Application Documents

Use the interactive tools below to check your eligibility for the MOPGA fellowship, build your document checklist, and explore alternative French and European fellowships.

How to Apply for the MOPGA Fellowship — Step-by-Step Guide

The MOPGA application is submitted through a dedicated online platform managed by Campus France. Unlike many scholarships where the institution applies on your behalf, MOPGA requires you to apply directly — but securing your French host institution is a prerequisite that must be completed before you can meaningfully begin your application. The entire process from first outreach to submission typically spans 3–5 months.

1. Monitor the Campus France MOPGA page starting in September (annually)
   The annual MOPGA call for applications typically opens in September and closes in December. Visit campusfrance.org/en/mopga each September to confirm the exact opening and closing dates for the next cycle. Set a calendar reminder — missing the December deadline means waiting a full year for the next call. Download the official call for applications document immediately when it is published and read it in full before taking any further action.
2. Identify and contact potential French host supervisors (September–October)
   This is the most time-sensitive and critical step. Begin identifying potential French host supervisors in September — three months before the December deadline. Use Google Scholar, ResearchGate, CNRS lab directories, and the Campus France PhD in France catalogue. Send targeted, research-specific outreach emails to 5–8 potential supervisors. Allow 2–4 weeks for responses and follow-up. Aim to have a committed host supervisor by late October at the latest.
3. Develop your research proposal in collaboration with your host supervisor (October–November)
   Once you have a committed host supervisor, begin developing your formal research proposal collaboratively. The MOPGA research proposal has specific required sections with strict character limits: Abstract (2,000 characters max), Context and Motivation (2,000 characters max), Scientific Objectives (2,000 characters max), Methodology and Timeline (4,500 characters max), Positioning relative to MOPGA themes (2,000 characters max), and International Collaboration / expected impact for your country of origin (2,000 characters max). Note: character limits include spaces. This is a highly structured document — draft each section carefully and iteratively.
4. Secure your host supervisor's support letter and lab director co-signature (October–November)
   Your host supervisor must provide a written letter of support for your application. This letter must be co-signed by the laboratory director. Allow sufficient time for your supervisor and their laboratory director to review, agree, and produce this document — some academic administrators take several weeks to process such requests. A strong supervisor support letter specifically endorses your research project, confirms the laboratory has the resources and equipment to support your work, and articulates the scientific value of your proposed research from the lab's perspective.
5. Prepare all required documents (October–November)
   In parallel with developing your proposal, gather every required document. The complete list includes: your CV (in English, maximum 4 pages, with a list of publications), your PhD diploma or official attestation of completion, a translation of your PhD diploma into English or French if it is in another language, your host supervisor's CV (maximum 2 pages), your host supervisor's signed support letter (co-signed by lab director), up to three letters of recommendation, your passport or proof of identity, and your full research proposal with all required sections. Optional additional documents may also be submitted. All documents must be in English or French.
6. Obtain up to three letters of recommendation (October–November)
   MOPGA allows up to three letters of recommendation in addition to the host supervisor's support letter. These should ideally come from your PhD supervisor, a senior collaborator who knows your research well, and a third academic referee. Request these letters at least 6 weeks before the deadline — referees need time to write meaningful, specific letters rather than generic endorsements. A strong recommendation letter addresses your specific scientific contributions, your research independence, and your potential as a climate researcher.
7. Register and complete the online application form (November–December)
   Access the official MOPGA application portal at campusfrance.smapply.io and create your candidate account. Fill in all personal and academic information, enter your research proposal into the designated sections (respecting all character limits), and upload every required document in the correct tabs. Review all sections carefully before submission. Submit well before the December deadline — at least one week early is strongly recommended to handle any technical issues. Late submissions are automatically rejected with no exceptions.
8. Application review — scientific expert phase (December–February)
   After the December closing date, Campus France forwards all applications to scientific experts in the relevant thematic areas for independent review. This first review phase evaluates the scientific merit, methodological rigour, feasibility, and thematic alignment of each proposal. Applicants are not contacted during this phase.
9. Final selection by the international scientific committee (February–March)
   A second review by an international scientific selection committee makes the final decisions on the approximately 60 MOPGA laureates. This committee considers both the expert evaluations and the broader program goals — including thematic balance across the five research areas and geographic diversity among fellows. Results are typically communicated to applicants in March–April.
10. Acceptance, visa, and arrival in France (April–December)
    If selected, you will receive formal notification from Campus France and instructions for confirming your fellowship. Apply immediately for your French long-stay visa (Type D — "Chercheur" research visa category) at your nearest French Embassy or Consulate. Fellowship start dates are typically between September and December of the award year — MOPGA fellows arrive in cohorts over this period. Campus France will coordinate with you on administrative steps including health coverage registration, bank account setup, and first stipend payment timing.

Tips for Winning the MOPGA Fellowship

• Align your proposal explicitly with MOPGA's COP agenda. The committee evaluates proposals against France's strategic priorities on climate and the COP process. Explicitly connect your research to specific challenges raised at recent COP summits — COP27's focus on loss and damage, COP28's energy transition targets, or COP29's finance mechanisms. Demonstrating awareness of the policy landscape around your research topic signals that you understand MOPGA's broader mission beyond pure science.
• Emphasise innovative technologies if applicable. The official call specifically states that "innovative approaches promoting advanced technologies will be favoured." If your research uses AI/machine learning, remote sensing, synthetic biology, quantum sensors, or other cutting-edge methodologies, describe these prominently in your proposal. Generic approaches are less competitive than research with a clear technological innovation component.
• Write the "impact for your country of origin" section strategically. This section is unique to MOPGA and is often underweighted by applicants. Think carefully about how your research in France will create lasting scientific, policy, or capacity-building benefits for your home country — specific partnerships, planned data sharing, policy recommendations, or training impacts. A vague "this research will benefit my country" statement is far weaker than a specific plan for knowledge transfer or bilateral collaboration.
• Choose your host lab for scientific credibility, not just prestige. A CNRS lab with one or two researchers working precisely in your area is often a better host than a large prestigious institute with only peripheral interest in your project. The expert reviewers are specialists — they will immediately recognise if your proposed host lab is not the right scientific environment for your research. The alignment between your project and your host lab's actual current research direction matters more than institutional brand.
• Start your host supervisor search in September, not November. Most unsuccessful MOPGA applicants report starting their host search too late — leaving insufficient time to develop a genuinely collaborative research proposal with their supervisor. A proposal written independently and then endorsed by a supervisor is fundamentally weaker than one co-developed with the supervisor from the beginning. Early engagement with your host enables a much stronger application.
• Get at least one recommendation letter from a French researcher if possible. A letter from a researcher already embedded in the French research system — someone familiar with CNRS standards, the MOPGA program, and the scientific environment at your host lab — carries extra weight with the selection committee. This person can contextualise your work within the French research landscape in a way that foreign referees cannot.
• Be specific about methodology and timeline in your proposal. The Methodology and Timeline section (4,500 characters max) is where many proposals fail — they describe what they will do without explaining specifically how and when. A convincing methodology section names specific techniques, datasets, computational tools, or experimental approaches, and maps them to a realistic monthly timeline that demonstrates you have genuinely thought through the logistics of the research.
• Apply even if your research theme is interdisciplinary. MOPGA explicitly welcomes research that crosses thematic boundaries — particularly the One Health theme, which by definition bridges human medicine, veterinary science, ecology, and social sciences. If your work connects two or more of the five MOPGA themes, frame this as a strength of your proposal rather than a difficulty. Interdisciplinary projects addressing complex environmental challenges align strongly with the program's vision.

After Receiving the MOPGA Fellowship — What Happens Next?

Selection as a MOPGA laureate triggers a structured sequence of administrative and practical steps before your fellowship begins. Here is what to expect:

• Official fellowship notification (March–April): Campus France sends official notification by email. You must confirm your acceptance within the specified window — non-response may result in the offer being redirected to a waitlisted candidate. Your host institution will also receive formal notification and begin preparing the Hosting Agreement (convention de séjour de recherche) that defines the terms of your research stay.
• Hosting Agreement (convention de séjour de recherche): This is a formal legal document signed between you and your host institution. It specifies the research environment, resources, and working conditions your host lab will provide. Read it carefully before signing — it is the document that governs your entire research stay. Campus France will provide guidance on standard clauses.
• Research visa application ("Chercheur" visa, Type D): Apply for your long-stay research visa (visa long séjour — chercheur) through the French Embassy or Consulate in your country as soon as your fellowship is confirmed. Processing times vary significantly by country — allow 6–10 weeks minimum, and apply as early as the consulate permits (typically 3 months before your planned travel date). Your fellowship confirmation letter and Hosting Agreement are the key documents required for your visa application.
• Health coverage transition: Upon arrival in France, Campus France immediately activates your health insurance, civil liability coverage, and repatriation assistance. Register with CPAM (the French social security system) as soon as possible after arrival — once registered, Campus France extends complementary health coverage. The transition between Campus France insurance and CPAM registration should be seamless, but keep copies of your insurance documents at all times.
• French bank account and first stipend payment: Open a French bank account as soon as possible after arrival — digital banks (Revolut, N26, Bunq, Hello Bank) can often be set up from abroad before arrival. You will need French banking details to receive your monthly €2,500 stipend. The first payment typically arrives in your first or second month, following your formal registration at the host institution. The €500 moving allowance is disbursed separately and typically arrives shortly after your registration is confirmed.
• CPAM social security registration: Register with your local CPAM office within the first month of arrival. You will need your passport, Hosting Agreement, and a French address. As a BGF scholarship holder, you are entitled to access the French public health system at standard rates. Your Campus France insurance covers you until CPAM registration is complete.
• Reporting obligations: MOPGA laureates are typically expected to submit progress reports to Campus France at specified intervals during their fellowship. The exact requirements are communicated with your fellowship confirmation. These reports are important not just for compliance — they are part of Campus France's ongoing monitoring of the program's impact and may be used to build the case for future MOPGA calls.
• Career and network benefits after the fellowship: MOPGA alumni form an active international network within the French research system. Fellows who perform well during their 12 months have strong prospects for follow-on positions — doctoral contracts, post-MOPGA research contracts at their host institution, applications for Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) grants, European Research Council Starting Grants, or faculty positions at French universities. The BGF status on your CV is a meaningful signal for future French and European academic positions.

Frequently Asked Questions About the MOPGA Fellowship