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.

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) 

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.

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

Please submit your files in PDF format and compress the size of your files). 

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 

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For any questions or help with your application, email mopga@campusfrance.org.  

Policy Privacy
Your personal data ("Data") are processed by Campus France to study and manage your application, as well as, for the laureates, to ensure the follow-up of the granted scholarship. The information with an * is mandatory, if not completed, the application cannot be processed by Campus France. The processing of your Data is based on the execution of pre-contractual measures taken at your request for applicants and on the execution of a contract for laureates.
Campus France only communicates your Data to authorized and determined recipients. These recipients are Campus France's internal departments in charge of such processing, Campus France's technical service providers, any partners, subcontractors or co-contractors of Campus France, and the relevant departments of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Data remains in the European Union. Campus France only keeps your Data for the time necessary for the operations for which they were collected and in compliance with the legislation in force.
You have rights over your Data. Thus, you have, at any time and within the legal limits, the right to ask Campus France for access to your Data, the rectification or deletion thereof, the right to limit the processing thereof, the right to object to such processing as well as the right to request the portability of the Data. You also have the right to define directives concerning the fate of your Data after your death.
If you wish to exercise these rights, please contact dpo@campusfrance.org or by post at the following address: 28, rue de la Grange aux Belles - 75010 Paris - FRANCE. If we have any doubts about your identity, we may ask you for proof of identity. If, after contacting us, you feel that your rights have not been respected, you may submit a complaint to the CNIL, together with a copy of your identity document.