Applications are officially open for the 2026 edition of France’s Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) Fellowship, a program first introduced in 2018 to attract global researchers dedicated to addressing urgent environmental and climate-related challenges. Over the years, this initiative has become a prominent avenue for talented scientists eager to advance studies on sustainability and ecological transformation. Widely recognized by French research institutions and laboratories, the program stands as one of the signature mobility schemes supported by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, and administered by Campus France.

The fellowship is designed for young international researchers at the postdoctoral level who wish to carry out innovative projects within France. The 2026 call will host researchers working on themes aligned with the program’s priorities, including Earth system science, studies of climate change and sustainability, transitions in energy, social and environmental challenges, and the interconnection of human, animal, and ecosystem health through the “One Health” approach. Only proposals that fully embrace this integrated vision of health and its links to environmental and ecological contexts will be accepted, while projects limited to medical or strictly human health perspectives are outside the scope of eligibility. Proposals employing advanced or emerging technologies to tackle these issues are especially encouraged.

To qualify, applicants must be non-French citizens who earned their doctoral degree within the last five years, specifically between December 2020 and December 2025. Additionally, they should not have spent more than ninety consecutive days in France between September 12 and December 12, 2025. The program provides successful candidates with a one-year stay in France, during which they will receive a stipend of €2,500 per month, a one-time relocation allowance of €500, and comprehensive health coverage, including insurance, liability protection, and repatriation services. After registration with the French social security system, fellows also gain access to complementary health benefits. All funding is paid directly to the researcher by Campus France, and an official hosting agreement must be signed with the French laboratory supporting the project.

Fellows will be hosted by leading research centers in France, which commit to offering the necessary facilities, resources, and scientific environment to carry out the proposed project. The program itself, however, provides no financial support to the institutions; the fellowship is intended solely for the living and research-related costs of the individual scientist.

Selection is highly competitive and occurs in two stages. Applications are first assessed by expert reviewers in the relevant fields, appointed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. Following this peer review, a central selection committee makes the final decision on the 2026 laureates. Each application must clearly define the project’s aims, scientific approach, and expected outcomes, while also situating the work within the goals of the MOPGA initiative and highlighting potential collaborations or benefits for the researcher’s country of origin or residence.

Candidates are required to submit several supporting documents alongside their project proposal, including a four-page curriculum vitae with publications, proof of doctoral degree, a two-page CV of the supervising researcher at the host laboratory, and a letter of support from that supervisor co-signed or endorsed by the laboratory director. Additional materials include up to three recommendation letters and a valid passport or identification document. Applications may be written in either English or French, ensuring accessibility to a broad international community of applicants.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity