MOPGA 2023: Visiting Fellowship Program for Young 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 sixth Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) call for applications is intended to welcome 40 young 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 2023 Visiting Fellowship Program for Young 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 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)
• 40 fellowships will be awarded for a 12-month period from September 2023.

This fellowship includes the following benefits :

• Monthly allowance of 2,500 euros
• Moving allowance of 500 euros
• Support for social security coverage
• Support for health insurance

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:  https://www.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/fr/bo/22/Hebdo19/ESRS2207381C.htm 

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.

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 40 final fellows for the MOPGA 2023 program. 

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 2017 and January 2023)
• Foreign researchers who have not resided in France after September 1st 2022 (for more than 90 days)

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

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications should be submitted via the following link: https://campusfrance.smapply.io/prog/MOPGA-2023.

Timeline

• October 12th 2022: Application period opens
• January 26th 2023: Application period ends  
• End of June 2023 : Notification of the results
• Between September 2023 and December 2023 (at the latest): Arrival in France and start of the fellowship 

F.A.Q.

Eligibility criteria

• What is meant by ‘young researchers’?

Candidates must have obtained their PhD less than five years prior to the application (i.e. they must have obtained their PhD between December 2017 and January 2023 included).

• Is it possible to apply if I am not a post-doctorate yet?

No, only applicants with a PhD obtained between December 2017 and January 2023 included are eligible.

• Is it possible to apply if I am currently in France?

Candidates should not have resided more than 90 days in France after September 1st 2022.

• Which are the eligible nationalities?

All nationalities are eligible; candidates should not hold French citizenship. 

• I am not eligible but I am interested in scholarship opportunities, can you help?

If you are not eligible for a MOPGA 2023 fellowship but you wish to conduct research in France, you can visit the PhD in France catalog which includes master’s, PhD and postdoc training offers. You also can visit the Campus Bourses catalog which gives useful information on scholarships for foreign students interested in studying in France.

Application process

• Which are the eligible research themes?

This application call is open to research projects relating to earth system sciences, climate change and sustainability sciences, energy transition, societal challenges of environmental issues, human, animal and ecosystem health as part as a "One Health" approach. The concept of "One Health" involves working on the interfaces between different sciences: human and veterinary medicine, agronomy and ecology, sociology, geography, etc.

• Will the laureates receive a fellowship or a stipend?

Laureates will receive a fellowship including a monthly allowance of 2,500 euros, a moving allowance of 500 euros as well as support for social security coverage and support for health insurance.

• Does the MOPGA 2023 fellowship cover the travel expenses to France?

No, the MOPGA 2023 fellowship does not cover the travel expenses to France. Laureates will receive a moving allowance of 500 euros.

• When will the fellowship start?

The fellowship should start between September 2023 and December 2023 at the latest. 

• What is the length of the fellowship?

The fellowship will be awarded over a 12-month period.

•  Where should I do my research?

The MOPGA 2023 Visiting Fellowship Program for Young Researchers should take place in France in the host laboratory of the French higher institution that support the candidate in the application.

Applications

• How can I find a host institution in France and/or a research supervisor?

Candidates may contact their PhD supervisor and/or the jury members of their PhD to find a host institution and/or supervisor in France. They may also visit the PhD in France catalog where they will find postdoc offers.

• Does the character limit include spaces?

Yes, the character limit includes spaces.

• How many recommendation letters can I add to my application?

Up to three recommendation letters can be submitted in the application.

• Do I have to include a translation in English and/or in French of my PhD diploma?

Yes, candidates must include an English or French translation of their PhD diploma.

• Which is the length of the CV?

Candidates must include their CV in English including the list of their main publications (4 pages m.). Candidates also have to include the CV of their research supervisor in the French host institution (2 pages max.).

• Which are the additional documents?

Candidates may upload foreign languages certificates for instance.

Host institutions

• I am a research supervisor, is there a website that could help me get in touch with potential candidates for this visiting fellowship?

Yes, you can visit the PhD in France catalog. You should create an “institution” account first, and then you will be able to post offers.

• Which are the eligible research structures?

French research centers recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research are eligible to host MOPGA 2023 fellows.

• Does the French research center receive any allowance to host the MOPGA 2023 fellow?

The French research center will not receive any allowance to host the MOPGA 2023 fellow. Laboratory expenses are not covered by the MOPGA 2023 program.

CONTACTS

If you have any questions ...

be sure to contact us at mopga@campusfrance.org, we will be happy to help and will do our best to answer your question promptly.

If you want to be kept up to date with the news on MOPGA calls for applications ...

... and would like to join our mailing list, send an email to infomopga@campusfrance.org with your contact information (last name, first name, email, and preferred MOPGA calls: Master/Doctorate/Post-doctorate/young researchers).