Fully Funded MOPGA Visiting Fellowship France 2026: Research Grant for Early Career Scientists

Applications are now open for the Fully Funded Make Our Planet Great Again MOPGA Visiting Fellowship France 2026. A Research Grant for Early Career Scientists

The Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) Visiting Fellowship represents a pivotal opportunity launched by the Paris Agreement, France, to substantially strengthen scientific contributions addressing issues discussed at the Conferences of the Parties (COP).

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This elite program is strictly designed to attract early career researchers focused on complex global challenges, particularly those relating to the integrated One Health approach. This fellowship provides comprehensive financial and institutional support for a 12 month research tenure in a highly supportive scientific environment in France. This detailed guide provides the necessary strategic framework for securing this prestigious research position.

Scholarship Overview Summary

The MOPGA Visiting Fellowship Program is a specialized, one year fellowship allocated to international PhD holders for research in climate, sustainability, and Earth system sciences. The program is strictly designated to provide robust financial support to highly qualified nonFrench citizens.

This research grant aligns with two core qualifications:

1. Academic Status: The award is bestowed exclusively upon researchers holding a doctoral degree for less than five years at the time of application.
2. Thematic Focus: Projects must align with COP objectives and specifically adopt an integrated One Health approach (interactions between human health, animal health, and ecosystems).

Grasping this core distinction is the initial, mandatory step in formulating a focused and highly effective application strategy.

Advantages of Receiving The Fully Funded Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) Visiting Fellowship France 2026

Securing the Fellowship provides unparalleled financial stability and institutional support critical for accelerated early career researcher development. The resulting benefits profoundly affect the laureate’s scientific output, professional standing, and longterm financial trajectory.

The research grant offers the following primary advantages:

• Tuition $|$ Stipends: Comprehensive financial coverage includes a substantial monthly allowance of  £$2,500$ and a onetime installation grant of £$500$ to cover living expenses in France.
• Support: Recipients receive comprehensive health coverage and the formal status of a French Government Scholarship holder under the Research Stay Scheme.
• Networking: Fellows gain access to high level French scientific environments and establish collaborative connections with experts focused on COP related issues and the One Health approach.
• Development: The program strengthens the researcher’s scientific contribution capacity, positioning them for accelerated career progression in the critical fields of climate and sustainability science.
• Collaboration: The structure necessitates collaboration with a French host laboratory, ensuring a rich scientific environment and access to advanced research facilities.

Essential Eligibility Criteria

The MOPGA Visiting Fellowship is awarded through a competitive selection process favoring highly specific academic status, research focus, and residency history. To maximize your success, you must diligently review the requisites and tailor your submission to emphasize your qualifications in the following critical areas.

1. Nationality and Academic History

The applicant’s citizenship and doctoral degree status must conform to strict guidelines.

• Citizenship Requirement: Applicants must not hold French citizenship.
• Doctoral Status: Applicants must hold a doctoral degree for less than five years (meaning the degree completion date must fall between December 2020 and December 2025).
• Residency Restriction: Applicants must not have resided in France for more than 90 days between 12 September 2025 and 12 December 2025.

2. Research Focus and Proposal Requirements

The submitted research project must strictly adhere to the defined thematic mandates.

• Thematic Alignment: The research proposal must align with eligible themes: Earth system sciences, Climate change sciences and sustainability science, Energy transition, Societal challenges related to environmental issues, and Human, animal, and environmental health.
• One Health Mandate: Only projects specifically adopting an integrated One Health approach (considering the interactions between human health, animal health, and ecosystems) are strictly eligible for consideration.
• Innovative Approaches: The selection process will favor innovative approaches and projects that promote the use of advanced technologies.

3. Institutional Requirements

The applicant must secure a commitment from a host institution in France.

• Host Letter: A curriculum vitae and a letter of support from the proposed French host laboratory are mandatory components of the application package.

Application Process (Step by Step Guide)

Securing the MOPGA Visiting Fellowship requires extreme precision in assembling and submitting a comprehensive scientific dossier. Diligently following this detailed application process stepbystep will dramatically elevate your success rate.

Step 1: Secure a French Host Laboratory

Your first mandatory step is establishing a research partnership in France.

• Host Identification: Identify a French laboratory or institution relevant to your specialized research theme.
• Support Letter: Obtain the curriculum vitae of the host and a formal letter of support from the host laboratory agreeing to provide a supportive scientific environment for the 12 month tenure.

Step 2: Assemble the Doctoral and Research Dossier

Compile all academic, biographical, and research specific documents.

• Academic Proof: Prepare your PhD diploma or completion certificate.
• Curriculum Vitae: Provide a current, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Research Proposal: Develop the detailed research proposal, ensuring strict thematic alignment with MOPGA mandates, especially the One Health approach.

Step 3: Finalize Supporting Documentation

Collect identity verification and external endorsements.

• Identity Proof: Provide proof of identity (e.g., passport copy).
• Recommendations: Secure up to three letters of recommendation from academic or scientific referees.
• Format and Size: Ensure all documents are converted to PDF format and comply with strict size limitations before uploading for submission.

Step 4: Submission and Evaluation Phases

The process involves two non-negotiable evaluation phases after the submission deadline.

• Phase One: The application is evaluated by scientific experts specializing in the relevant fields (e.g., Earth system sciences, Climate change sciences).
• Phase Two: A final decision is made by the scientific selection committee, with results expected in May or June 2026.

Application Deadline

The MOPGA Visiting Fellowship application deadline date is absolute and unforgiving.

The final and most critical time for submission is 12 December 2025. Missing this stated deadline invariably results in a lost opportunity for this vital early career researcher program.

You must establish a detailed organizational infrastructure and be fully cognizant of the key dates:

• Official Due Date: 12 December 2025.
• Notification Date: Results are expected in May or June 2026.
• Fellowship Start: Selected researchers will begin their 12 month fellowship in France between September and December 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

It is understandable to have many questions regarding how to secure the financial aid necessary for your education. We have addressed some of the most common and critical queries to bring further clarity to the process of obtaining this prestigious research grant placement.

Q1: What is the primary research mandate of the MOPGA Fellowship?

The program is mandated to strengthen scientific contributions to issues addressed at the Conferences of the Parties (COP), particularly focusing on the One Health approach and Climate change sciences.

Q2: What are the two core financial benefits provided by the fellowship?

The two core financial benefits are a $\text{euro}2,500$ monthly allowance and a $\text{euro}500$ onetime installation grant.

Q3: What is the duration of the MOPGA Visiting Fellowship?

The fellowship is strictly awarded for a period of 12 months and is nonrenewable.

Q4: Is there an age limit or a time limit since earning the PhD?

There is a time limit: applicants must have held their doctoral degree for less than five years (PhD awarded between December 2020 and December 2025).

Q5: Are French citizens eligible to apply for this visiting fellowship?

No. Applicants must not hold French citizenship to be considered for this research grant.

Q6: What is the specific residency restriction related to France?

Applicants must not have resided in France for more than 90 days between 12 September 2025 and 12 December 2025.

Q7: What is the mandatory research approach required for the proposal?

Only projects adopting an integrated One Health approach, considering the interactions between human health, animal health, and ecosystems, are strictly eligible.

Q8: What official status do laureates of the MOPGA Fellowship receive?

Laureates are granted the formal status of French Government Scholarship holders under the Research Stay Scheme.

Q9: What are the two main phases of the application evaluation process?

The process involves two main phases: evaluation by scientific experts followed by a final decision by the scientific selection committee.

Q10: When are the selected researchers expected to begin their fellowship in France?

Selected researchers will begin their 12 month fellowship in France between September and December 2026.