Full Program Details
Africa feels the effects of climate change more than most regions, yet African scientists are still underrepresented in the labs where much of the research happens. The Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) fellowship from the French government is one way in. It pays recent PhD holders of any nationality except French to spend a year doing climate and sustainability research at a host lab in France.
Fellows receive EUR 2,500 a month for 12 months, a EUR 500 settling-in allowance, health cover and French Government Scholarship holder status.
Details at a glance:
- Funder: French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, run by Campus France
- Level: early-career researchers with a PhD defended between December 2021 and December 2026
- Duration: 12 months, not renewable
- Location: a host research lab in France
- Applications opened: 15 September 2026
- Deadline: 15 December 2026
What the Fellowship Covers
- A monthly allowance of EUR 2,500 for 12 months, paid directly by Campus France
- A one-off settling-in allowance of EUR 500 in your first month
- Health coverage
- French Government Scholarship holder status
International travel to France is not covered, although your host lab may help. The host lab receives no funding from the programme, so it is worth discussing research costs with your supervisor early.
Research Themes
Your project must fit one of these themes. All disciplines can apply, including the humanities and social sciences, as long as the project fits.
- Earth system sciences
- Climate change and sustainability
- Energy transition
- Environmental challenges for society
- One Health
Who Can Apply
- You defended your PhD between December 2021 and December 2026, inclusive
- You hold a nationality other than French. Dual French nationals are not eligible.
- You are applying to move to France for this research stay
- You are not living and working in France when you apply
- You have not held a MOPGA fellowship before
Some extensions to the PhD date window are allowed for maternity leave, with supporting documents.
How to Apply
- Find a host lab in France and agree a clear research project with a supervisor there.
- Prepare a CV with your publications (no more than four pages) and your doctoral degree certificate.
- Get your host supervisor's CV (two pages maximum) and a letter of support from the supervisor, co-signed by or backed with a commitment letter from the lab director.
- Collect one to three recommendation letters and a copy of your passport or ID.
- Read the 2027 application guide and FAQ on the Campus France page.
- Submit your application in English or French through the Campus France SMApply platform before 15 December 2026. Emailed applications are not accepted.
Timeline
- Applications close: 15 December 2026
- Results: May to June 2027
- Fellows arrive in France: between September and December 2027
The money and what it does not cover
MOPGA pays a monthly allowance of €2,500 for 12 months, plus a €500 settling-in allowance and health, civil liability and repatriation insurance. Travel to France is not covered, so budget for your flight. The fellowship cannot be combined with a French employment contract or other individual French government funding.
Documents to prepare
- A CV with your publication list (four pages maximum)
- Your doctoral degree certificate or official proof of the degree
- Your host supervisor's CV (two pages maximum)
- A letter of support from the supervisor, co-signed by the laboratory director or with a separate director's letter
- One to three letters of recommendation
- A copy of your passport or national ID
Finding a host laboratory in France is part of the application, so contact potential supervisors well before the 15 December deadline. The lab receives no money from the programme, so explain clearly what your project brings to their work.
Timeline
- 15 December 2026: deadline
- May to June 2027: results
- September to December 2027: fellows arrive in France
Projects in health must take a One Health approach that links human, animal and environmental health; purely clinical human medicine projects are not eligible.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigerian researchers apply for MOPGA?
Yes. Any non-French national who earned a PhD between December 2021 and December 2026, and who is not living and working in France, can apply.
How much does MOPGA pay?
€2,500 a month for 12 months, plus a €500 settling-in allowance and insurance.
GizPulse Verdict
Who this is for: African researchers who finished a PhD in the last five years in fields such as climate science, agriculture, energy, public health or environmental policy and want international lab experience.
Who should pause: If you have not defended your PhD by December 2026, you cannot apply this year. If you have no contact yet at a French lab, start emailing supervisors now, because the support letter takes time.
One tip to stand out: Show how your project links research in France with a real problem in your home country, such as flooding in the Niger Delta or drought in the Sahel. Selectors value projects with clear impact beyond the lab.
Read the full call, guide and FAQ on the official Campus France MOPGA 2027 page.
