If you recently finished a doctorate and your work connects to climate, energy, Earth systems, environmental health, or the social side of environmental change, this fellowship was designed with you in mind. The French government funds it, Campus France runs the call, and you apply entirely online. From Pakistan, the deadline lands at 3:59 AM PKT on December 16, so plan around the French clock and not your own calendar date.
I read the Campus France call page, the live application portal, the official PDF application guide, the MOPGA research themes page, and the French Ministry’s guidance on hosting foreign researchers. I also looked at several listing pages that rank for this topic to find gaps and errors. Every fact below comes from the official sources, and I label my own advice as advice.
MOPGA Fellowship 2027: a 12-month paid research stay in France for PhD holders
Many listing sites describe MOPGA as a scholarship for international students. The official call does not. There is no MOPGA call for Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD students, and applicants must already hold a doctorate. If you are still a student, the section on who can apply shows where to look instead.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Program | MOPGA 2027 Visiting Fellowship Program for Early Career Researchers (Make Our Planet Great Again), the tenth call |
| Organizers | Funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space, and run by Campus France |
| Who can apply | Foreign researchers (any nationality except French) who defended a PhD between December 2021 and December 2026 |
| Who cannot apply | Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students; French nationals; people already living and working in France |
| Level | Postdoctoral |
| Duration | 12 months, not renewable |
| Monthly allowance | €2,500 |
| Settling-in allowance | €500, paid in the first month of the stay |
| Health coverage | Included (details in the funding section) |
| Travel to France | Not covered by the program |
| Research themes | Earth system sciences; climate change and sustainability sciences; energy transition; societal challenges related to environmental issues; One Health |
| Application language | English or French |
| How to apply | Campus France SMApply portal only. Email applications are not considered. |
| Deadline | December 15, 2026, 11:59 PM CET (3:59 AM PKT on December 16) |
| Results | May to June 2027 |
| Arrival in France | Between September and December 2027 |
December 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM CET, which is 10:59 PM GMT, 5:59 PM ET, and 2:59 PM PT on December 15, and 3:59 AM PKT on December 16.
- Quick Facts
- MOPGA Fellowship 2027 Overview
- Who Can Apply
- Research Themes and Available Subjects
- How Winners Are Selected
- Funding and Benefits
- Required Documents
- Writing the Research Project Description
- English Language Requirements
- Costs and Budgeting
- Application Procedure
- Deadlines and Time Zones
- Residence Permit or Visa
- For Pakistani Applicants
- For US Applicants
- For Other International Applicants
- After You Receive an Offer
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Scam Warning Signs
- How to Apply Safely
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Words
- Official Links
- Read More
MOPGA Fellowship 2027 Overview
MOPGA stands for Make Our Planet Great Again. Campus France says the initiative has drawn researchers since 2018, and the 2027 round is its tenth call for applications. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs funds it together with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space, while Campus France handles the call and pays fellows directly.
The stated aim is to strengthen scientific input to the issues discussed at the COP climate conferences, in line with France’s commitment to the Paris Agreement. In practice, you propose a research project, a French laboratory agrees to host it, and you spend twelve months there as a visiting researcher.
What kind of fellowship this is
Fellows receive the status of French Government Scholarship holders under the French research stay scheme, and the host institution signs a research stay agreement with you. This is not a job. The call says the fellowship cannot be combined with a French employment contract, such as a research or postdoctoral contract, or with any other individual funding from a French government body.
The host laboratory receives no money from the program. That means the lab must be willing to host you using its own environment and resources.
Which academic level can apply
| Your stage | Can you apply? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s student | No | The call is limited to people who already hold a PhD. |
| Master’s student | No | Campus France says there is no MOPGA call for Master’s students and points them to other funding, including the France Excellence Eiffel programme. |
| PhD student who has not defended | No | You need a defended thesis. If your diploma has not been issued, an official certificate confirming the defense is accepted. |
| PhD holder, defended December 2021 to December 2026 | Yes | This is the target group for MOPGA 2027. |
| PhD holder, defended before December 2021 | Usually no | An extension is possible for maternity leave: 18 months per child, or the actual length of the leave, with supporting documents. |
Who Can Apply for MOPGA Fellowship 2027
These are the official conditions in plain language. You need to meet all of them on the day you apply.
- A recent PhD. You defended your thesis between December 2021 and December 2026, inclusive. If your diploma has not been issued, an official institutional document confirming that the defense took place is accepted.
- Foreign nationality only. Every nationality is eligible except French. The call says applicants must be “exclusively of foreign nationality,” so if you also hold French citizenship, I would email Campus France before investing time. That is my reading of the wording, not an official ruling.
- Mobility to France. Your project must involve moving to France for the research stay.
- Not living and working in France. You must not be residing and professionally active in France when you apply.
- No earlier MOPGA fellowship. Past MOPGA fellows cannot apply again.
Eligible nationalities
Applicants from Pakistan, the United States, and every other country can apply. The only nationality excluded is French. Later sections cover Pakistani, US, and other international applicants separately, because their practical situations differ.
If you are still a student
Campus France states plainly that MOPGA has no call for Master’s or PhD students. Its FAQ points students to the France Excellence Eiffel programme, Campus Bourses, the Research in France portal, and doctorat.gouv.fr. On this site, a good place to start is my guide to the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship 2027, which is aimed at Master’s and PhD level.
Research Themes and Available Subjects
Your project must fit at least one of five research themes. All disciplines are welcome as long as the project connects to a theme, and the humanities and social sciences are explicitly included. The table summarizes each theme in my own words.
| Research theme | What the theme covers |
|---|---|
| Earth system sciences | Observing and modeling environmental change at global and regional scales, understanding risks and thresholds, and exploring future scenarios. |
| Climate change and sustainability sciences | Meeting basic needs, managing sustainable development, building sustainable technologies and recycling methods, and handling health risks linked to environmental change. |
| Energy transition | Low-carbon energy production, storage and distribution, energy efficiency, carbon storage and use, and plant-based raw materials. |
| Societal challenges related to environmental issues | How economies and societies adapt to environmental change, with room for law, political science, economics, sociology, psychology, and philosophy. |
| One Health | The links between human, animal, and ecosystem health, including emerging diseases and biodiversity loss. |
Important: Health projects are accepted only when they use a genuine One Health approach. A project that focuses only on medicine or human health, without an environmental or animal health dimension, is not eligible.
Subject areas on the application form
The form asks you to choose a main scientific domain and, if you wish, a secondary one. The left column below comes from the official application guide. The right column is my own illustration of how each area can connect to a MOPGA theme, so treat it as inspiration and not as an official list.
| Scientific domain on the form | Illustrative link to a MOPGA theme (my examples) |
|---|---|
| Agronomy-Ecology | Plant-based raw materials, ecosystem change, and farming-related One Health questions |
| Biology & Health | One Health projects that combine human, animal, and environmental health |
| Chemistry | Recycling technologies and environmentally friendly materials |
| Computer Sciences | Earth system modeling, data assimilation, and smart energy management |
| Earth & Universe | Observing the Earth system and attributing climate change |
| Engineering | Energy storage, distribution, efficiency, and sustainable technologies |
| Law, Management, Economy, Politics | Governance, adaptation of economies, and social acceptance of change |
| Maths | Modeling complex systems, predictability, and scenario analysis |
| Oceanography | Ocean observation and modeling as part of Earth system change |
| Physics | Climate-related physical processes and low-carbon energy technologies |
| Social Sciences | Behavior change, inequalities, and public acceptance in environmental transitions |
You also choose one of five MOPGA domains on the form, matching the five themes above. Pick the one that best describes your project, and use the relevance box to explain the fit.
How Winners Are Selected
Selection happens in two stages. First, scientific experts appointed by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space assess your file in your field. Then a scientific committee makes the final choice of fellows.
The call page does not publish a scoring rubric, the number of fellowships for 2027, or past success rates, so I will not quote any. It does say that projects using innovative approaches built on advanced technologies receive particular consideration.
What I would make easy for reviewers to find
This list is my advice, based on what the application form asks for.
- A clear match to one of the five themes, stated in the first lines of your summary.
- A realistic twelve-month plan inside the methodology and timeline box.
- A specific support letter from the host lab instead of a generic one.
- A concrete answer about what the project means for your country of residence or origin, since the form asks about it directly.
Funding and Benefits
The call lists exactly three benefits. Campus France pays them directly to the fellow.
€2,500 per month
Paid for 12 months to cover your living expenses.
€500, one time
Paid during the first month of the research stay.
Health coverage
Health insurance, civil liability insurance, and repatriation assistance. Supplementary health insurance follows once you are registered with French social security.
Scholarship holder status
Fellows hold the status of French Government Scholarship holders.
The math: Twelve monthly payments plus the settling-in allowance add up to €30,500 in cash over the stay. That figure is my own arithmetic from the official amounts, before any of your personal costs.
What the fellowship does not include
- International travel to France.
- Funding for the host laboratory.
- Renewal after the 12 months.
- Combination with a French employment contract or other individual French government funding.
Because flights are your responsibility, I describe this as a funded fellowship and not as a full-ride award. The money covers living costs and health cover, which is substantial, but you should plan the travel budget yourself.
Required Documents
Every file must be a PDF with a clear name, for example Lastname_Firstname_CV.pdf, and each file can be no larger than 2 MB. The official guide warns that oversized files can cause technical trouble and may put your submission at risk. If a scan comes out too large, try the PDF compressor on this site and confirm the result is still readable.
Your CV
Up to 4 pages. Include your academic background, research experience, publications, and language skills.
PhD diploma or certificate
Official proof that you completed the PhD. If the diploma is not issued yet, an official certificate from your institution is accepted.
Host supervisor’s CV
Up to 2 pages, covering background, current position, research expertise, and main publications or responsibilities.
Host lab support letter
Written and signed by your supervisor in the French lab, then co-signed by the lab director or paired with a commitment letter from the director. It must confirm the environment and resources for your project.
Recommendation letters
One to three letters, signed and dated, ideally from current or past supervisors or senior researchers who know your work.
Passport or ID
A copy of your passport or national identity document.
Extra material
Figures or graphs about your project, and proof of parental leave if you are claiming the eligibility extension.
Writing the Research Project Description
The form is short, and the limits are strict. Each box counts characters including spaces. Across the six large text boxes you have 14,500 characters in total, which is a tight space for a full research plan.
| Form box | Limit | What I would cover (advice) |
|---|---|---|
| Project title | Not stated | A specific title that signals the theme |
| Keywords | 6 keywords | A mix of field terms and theme terms |
| Research project summary | 2,000 characters | The question, the approach, and the expected result |
| Background and motivation | 2,000 characters | The gap your work fills and why it matters now |
| Scientific objectives | 2,000 characters | Two or three objectives you can finish in 12 months |
| Methodology and timeline | 4,500 characters | Methods, data, and a month-by-month plan |
| Relevance to the MOPGA initiative | 2,000 characters | Name the theme and explain the fit |
| International collaboration and/or impact for your country of residence or origin | 2,000 characters | Named partners, data, or communities you can realistically involve |
Other details the form asks for
Gather these before you open the portal, so you are not hunting for an email address at midnight.
- Your full legal names exactly as they appear on your passport, plus up to three nationalities, your country of residence, email, and phone number.
- Your current or most recent position, including title, institution, and dates.
- PhD details: thesis title, completion date, awarding institution, and whether it was a cotutelle (joint supervision) agreement.
- The official name of your host laboratory, plus the director’s and supervisor’s names, emails, and phone numbers.
- Your host institution, which is the legal body that will sign the hosting agreement. Confirm it with your supervisor first.
The guide recommends checking the official ScanR directory of French research organizations if you are unsure of a laboratory’s name, and choosing “Other” in the drop-down list only after a careful search.
Check the live form: The PDF guide’s preview asks whether you have lived or will live in France for more than 90 days between September 5, 2025 and December 5, 2025. Those dates fall before this call opened, so they look carried over from an earlier version, and the call page words the residence rule differently. Read the question on the live form, and email mopga@campusfrance.org if it does not match your situation.
English Language Requirements
The 2027 call page does not list an IELTS, TOEFL, or other language test requirement. You may write your application in English or in French, and the form asks you to list your language skills in your CV.
That does not tell you what language your host lab works in day to day. Ask your prospective supervisor early, because a lab that works mostly in French may expect some French from you.
Costs and Budgeting
The call describes a living allowance, not a tuition award, and it does not list any application fee. Still, a few costs sit with you.
- Flights to France. The program does not cover international travel, although the FAQ says your host laboratory may be able to help.
- Visa and document costs. The call page does not list them, so check with the consulate that handles your application.
- First-month housing costs. A rental deposit is a typical example. This is my note, not an official figure.
- Family members. The call lists no extra allowance for partners or children.
I have not converted euros into dollars or rupees, because exchange rates move every day. Use a live converter when you plan your budget, and write down the date of the rate you used.
Application Procedure
The flowchart shows the full route from eligibility check to results. The numbered steps below it add the details.
Confirm that your defense date falls between December 2021 and December 2026, that you do not hold French nationality, and that you are not living and working in France. If you are near the five-year edge or took parental leave, ask Campus France before you build the rest of the file.
Finding a lab is part of the application. Define your project first, then reach out through your PhD supervisor, your own network, or the Campus France Research in France portal and laboratory directories. Ask for the support letter early, since it needs signatures from other people.
Prepare the six required PDFs and keep each one under 2 MB. Ask your recommenders for signed and dated letters well before you need them.
Draft in a word processor, check each character count including spaces, and paste the final text into the form.
Create an account on the Campus France portal, complete every section, upload your files, and submit before 11:59 PM CET on December 15, 2026. Applications sent by email are not considered.
Campus France announces results in May to June 2027. Fellows then arrive in France between September and December 2027.
Deadlines and Time Zones
The call lists one application deadline. It does not mention a separate early round or scholarship consideration date, so December 15, 2026 is the only date that decides whether your file is in.
Campus France states its deadline in Paris time. The table converts it for readers in several regions. In December, none of these zones is on daylight saving time, so the offsets are fixed.
| Time zone | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Paris, CET (official) | 11:59 PM, December 15, 2026 |
| GMT | 10:59 PM, December 15, 2026 |
| US Eastern, ET | 5:59 PM, December 15, 2026 |
| US Pacific, PT | 2:59 PM, December 15, 2026 |
| Pakistan, PKT | 3:59 AM, December 16, 2026 |
I recommend submitting at least two days early. Add the date to the Scholarship Deadline Tracker so you see it in your own time zone.
Residence Permit or Visa
The MOPGA call page does not name a visa category, and I would not guess one. It does say that you will sign a research stay agreement with the host institution and that fellows hold French Government Scholarship holder status.
What the Ministry’s guidance says
The French Ministry of Higher Education and Research explains how research stay agreements work for foreign researchers. The signed agreement is stamped by the French consulate and used in the visa application. For stays of 12 months or less, the visa is a long-stay visa that also works as a residence permit (known as a VLS-TS), and it must be validated online within three months of arrival.
The Ministry also says the category depends on total monthly funding compared with the minimum public doctoral contract amount. Higher funding leads to a researcher talent passport, and lower funding leads to a student-type visa. That page was first published in 2021, so treat it as general guidance and confirm the current rules before you act.
What I would do
- Ask Campus France at mopga@campusfrance.org which visa category applies to MOPGA fellows.
- Check the official France-Visas website and the instructions of the French consulate that covers your country.
- Ask your host lab to start the research stay agreement as soon as results arrive, because the visa depends on it.
- Leave time between results (May to June 2027) and arrival (September to December 2027), and do not book flights before the visa path is clear.
For Pakistani Applicants
Pakistan is not excluded. Every nationality except French can apply, so what matters is your PhD timeline and your host lab, not your passport.
Your deadline in Pakistan time
The portal closes at 11:59 PM CET on December 15, which is 3:59 AM PKT on December 16. Pakistan runs four hours ahead of Paris in December, and that gap makes it easy to misjudge the calendar date. I would aim to submit by the evening of December 13 PKT and keep the last two days for fixes.
Documents from Pakistani universities
If your university has not issued the final degree yet, the call accepts an official certificate confirming that your defense took place. The call does not list HEC attestation as a requirement, so I would not hold your file back waiting for it. Recommendation letters must be signed and dated, so ask your supervisors early for scanned signed PDFs.
The call does not say how it treats official documents that are not in English or French. If any of yours fall into that group, ask the program mailbox whether a translation is needed.
Practical points before you apply
- Keep a backup internet connection ready for upload day.
- Ask your current employer how a 12-month absence would be handled, since the call says nothing about home employment.
- Send MOPGA questions to mopga@campusfrance.org, and use the Campus France Pakistan office for general questions about studying and researching in France.
- If you are a Pakistani student and not a PhD holder, MOPGA is not your route. The Eiffel guide linked earlier is a better start.
For US Applicants
American PhD holders can apply, and so can researchers of other nationalities who are based in the United States, provided they do not hold French nationality and are not living and working in France.
Timing in the US
The deadline is 5:59 PM ET or 2:59 PM PT on Tuesday, December 15, 2026. West Coast applicants lose the evening, so I would finish the upload before lunch and not count on a late push. The date also sits just before the usual US holiday break, so request documents from your institution in November.
Degree dates and paperwork
In the US, the thesis defense often happens months before the degree is conferred. The call asks for the diploma or official proof of completion, and it accepts an institutional certificate of defense when the diploma is not issued yet. Ask your graduate office for that letter early.
Money and employment
The allowance is paid in euros. The call does not discuss taxes, and I am not a tax adviser, so speak with one before you accept an offer. If you hold a US postdoc position now, talk to your employer about leave, because the call is silent on your current job. The fellowship itself cannot be combined with a French employment contract.
Visa
A short visit to France and a 12-month research stay are different situations. Ask the consulate what applies to your citizenship and your stay, and do not rely on advice from forums.
For Other International Applicants
If you are not Pakistani or American, the rules are the same: any nationality except French, a PhD defended between December 2021 and December 2026, and a project that fits the five themes.
Check your nationality and residence
The form lets you list up to three nationalities. If one of them is French, you fall outside the call. If you already live and work in France, for example as a postdoc on a French contract, you are also outside it.
Your deadline in other time zones
| Location | Deadline |
|---|---|
| India (IST) | 4:29 AM, December 16 |
| United Arab Emirates (GST) | 2:59 AM, December 16 |
| Nigeria (WAT) | 11:59 PM, December 15 |
| Kenya (EAT) | 1:59 AM, December 16 |
| Brazil, São Paulo (BRT) | 7:59 PM, December 15 |
| Australia, Sydney (AEDT) | 9:59 AM, December 16 |
Make your home-country impact concrete
One required box asks about collaboration or impact for your country of residence or origin. Name partners, datasets, or communities you can realistically involve, since vague promises add nothing.
Where to ask questions
Campus France runs offices in many countries, and you can use your local one for general guidance. For anything specific to this call, write to the MOPGA mailbox named in the call.
After You Receive an Offer
Results arrive in May to June 2027. These are the steps that follow, according to the official pages.
- Sign the research stay agreement with your host institution.
- Start the visa process using that agreement, after confirming the category with Campus France and the consulate.
- Book your own travel, since flights are not covered.
- Arrive in France between September and December 2027. Campus France pays the allowance directly, and the €500 settling-in allowance comes in your first month.
- Register with French social security, which unlocks the supplementary health insurance mentioned in the call.
- Keep copies of your award letter and signed agreement.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying as a student. Without a defended PhD, the file cannot be eligible.
- Starting the lab search late. The support letter needs a supervisor’s signature and a director’s co-signature or separate commitment letter.
- Misreading the five-year rule. Count from your defense date, not from the date you started a postdoc.
- Choosing a project outside the themes. A health project with no environmental or animal health angle is not eligible.
- Uploading oversized scans. Keep each PDF under 2 MB.
- Mismatched names. Enter your names exactly as they appear on your passport.
- Guessing the lab or institution name. Check the official directory, and confirm the host institution with your supervisor.
- Waiting for the last hour. Submit at least two days early.
Scam Warning Signs
- Guaranteed selection. No genuine committee promises you a place.
- Payment to “secure” a fellowship. The call page lists no fee, and the only application route is the official portal.
- Email applications. Campus France says applications sent by email are not considered, so anyone asking you to email your file is off script.
- Student offers under the MOPGA name. There is no MOPGA call for Master’s or PhD students.
- Pressure to act at once. Scams often use false urgency to stop you from checking.
How to Apply Safely
Type the official addresses yourself, or use the links in the Official Links section below. Keep copies of every file you upload, and save the confirmation after you submit.
Important: The application portal is campusfrance.smapply.io, and the only contact named in the call is mopga@campusfrance.org. Never send your passport scan, bank details, or a fee to an unverified contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MOPGA Fellowship 2027 open to Pakistani applicants?
Yes, if you hold a PhD defended between December 2021 and December 2026 and meet the other conditions. Every nationality except French can apply, so Pakistani researchers are eligible. Pakistani Master’s and PhD students are not eligible, because the call is only for PhD holders.
What is the deadline for MOPGA Fellowship 2027?
The deadline is December 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM CET. That is 10:59 PM GMT, 5:59 PM ET, and 2:59 PM PT on December 15, and 3:59 AM PKT on December 16, 2026.
Can Master’s or PhD students apply for MOPGA?
No. Campus France states that there is no MOPGA call for Master’s or PhD students. The call is for researchers who already hold a doctorate defended between December 2021 and December 2026.
How much does the MOPGA Fellowship 2027 pay?
It pays €2,500 per month for 12 months, plus a one-time €500 settling-in allowance and health coverage. International travel to France is not covered.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL for MOPGA?
The 2027 call page does not list a language test requirement. You can write your application in English or French, but ask your host lab which language it uses day to day.
Can I apply for MOPGA by email?
No. Applications must go through the Campus France SMApply portal during the application period. Applications sent by email are not considered.
Do I need a host laboratory before I apply?
Yes. Finding a French host laboratory is part of the application, and you must upload a support letter from your supervisor there, co-signed by the lab director or paired with a commitment letter from the director.
Can I apply if I already live in France?
Not if you are residing and professionally active in France at the time of application. Check the residence question on the live form and email the program mailbox if your situation is unclear.
Is the MOPGA fellowship renewable?
No. The fellowship lasts 12 months and is not renewable.
What if my PhD was defended more than five years ago?
You are generally not eligible. The call allows an extension for maternity leave of 18 months per child, or the actual length of the leave, with supporting documents.
Final Words
Three things decide how this goes. First, confirm that you are the right applicant: a PhD defended inside the window, a non-French nationality, and no current life or job in France. Second, line up your host lab and its signed letters early, because those documents depend on other people. Third, submit well before 11:59 PM CET on December 15, 2026, and recheck every fact on the official pages, since Campus France can update the call.
If this guide left a question unanswered, leave it in the comments. Students who found this page while searching for a scholarship can use the related guides below instead.
Official Links
Official call page: MOPGA 2027 call for applications on Campus France
Application portal: MOPGA 2027 application portal (SMApply)
Application guide: MOPGA 2027 application guide (PDF)
Research themes: MOPGA research themes on Campus France
Ministry guidance (in French): Welcoming foreign scientists in France
Program contact: mopga@campusfrance.org
Read More
- Campus France application process for 2027
- GLOBE Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027
- MESPOM Scholarship 2027 to 2029
Ready to Apply for MOPGA Fellowship 2027?
Read the official call, then submit your application through the Campus France portal before December 15, 2026.
Apply Now Official Call Page Subscribe on YouTube Join WhatsApp ChannelEditorial note: Fellowship amounts, deadlines, and requirements can change. Confirm every detail on the official pages before you submit.
Disclaimer: This article is general information. It is not legal, immigration, tax, or financial advice, and it does not guarantee selection, funding, or a visa. Read the full site disclaimer.
Published: October 25, 2026
Last verified: October 25, 2026, against the official Campus France pages listed above
Published by: Study Abroad with Arbaz
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