MOPGA 2027 Visiting Fellowship for Early Career Researchers
A 12-month research stay in France for early-career international researchers whose projects address climate and environmental challenges.
MOPGA 2027 Visiting Fellowship for Early Career Researchers
The MOPGA 2027 Visiting Fellowship supports an international early-career researcher for a 12-month stay at a host laboratory in France. The program is intended for projects addressing climate and environmental challenges. Applications are submitted through Campus France’s online SMApply portal, and the stated deadline is December 15, 2026 at 23:59 CET. Campus France program page · SMApply application portal
At a glance
| Item | Published information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship period | 12 months |
| Location | A host laboratory in France |
| Monthly funding | €2,500 per month |
| Additional support | €500 settling-in allowance |
| Coverage | Health, civil-liability, and repatriation coverage |
| Application language | English or French |
| Application route | Online through Campus France SMApply |
| Deadline | December 15, 2026, 23:59 CET |
| Expected results | May–June 2027 |
| Expected start window | September–December 2027 |
These details are from the Campus France program information and the official SMApply listing. The program has not stated in the supplied information how many fellowships will be awarded for the 2027 cohort.
What the fellowship provides
The award is a 12-month research stay in France. Each fellow receives €2,500 per month, a one-time €500 settling-in allowance, and health, civil-liability, and repatriation coverage. These are the specified benefits; the published summary does not explain tax treatment, payment dates, or whether the monthly amount is subject to deductions. Applicants who need those details should check the current official program instructions or ask Campus France through the contact route shown on its program page. Campus France
The funding does not include international travel to France, and the program does not fund laboratory costs. A host laboratory may be able to help with travel, but that possibility is not a guaranteed fellowship benefit. Discuss any travel assistance directly with the prospective host and do not include it in a personal budget until the host confirms it. The published information does not specify other research or living-cost reimbursements. Campus France
Who should apply and eligibility
The fellowship is for foreign researchers seeking research mobility to France. French nationals are excluded. At the time of application, applicants must not be living and professionally active in France, and they must not have previously received a MOPGA fellowship. These conditions are separate: someone should check nationality, current residence and professional activity, and prior MOPGA history rather than treating “international” as the only test. If a personal circumstance such as dual nationality makes the rule unclear, confirm it with the program before relying on an interpretation. Campus France eligibility information
Applicants must have defended their doctoral thesis between December 2021 and December 2026. A maternity-leave extension may be available, with supporting documents. The information provided does not give the extension formula or specify how to calculate the adjusted eligibility window, so applicants who need an extension should check the official instructions and confirm what evidence and dates apply to their situation. Do not assume that a leave period automatically changes the cutoff without documentation. Campus France
The proposed work must fit at least one of the program’s climate or environmental themes:
- Earth system science;
- climate and sustainability;
- energy transition;
- societal environmental challenges; or
- human, animal, and environmental health through an integrated One Health approach, where relevant.
A health project by itself is not enough: health-only proposals without an environmental or animal-health dimension are ineligible. When describing an interdisciplinary project, explain the environmental or animal-health connection in the project itself rather than relying on a broad label. The program’s listed themes and exclusion are described by Campus France.
A French host laboratory is also central to the application. Applicants are responsible for identifying that laboratory as part of applying. Selected researchers and their host must sign a research-stay agreement. The supplied information does not give a directory of hosts or promise that Campus France will match applicants with laboratories, so candidates should make their own host arrangements early and confirm expectations with the laboratory. Campus France
How to apply
Submit the application online through the Campus France SMApply portal. Applications sent by email will not be considered. The form may be completed in English or French. Start from the official MOPGA 2027 SMApply page and follow the instructions shown there for creating or accessing an application. Campus France program instructions
The application requires the following items:
- a CV including publications, with a maximum length of four pages;
- a PhD certificate or official proof of the degree;
- the host supervisor’s CV, with a maximum length of two pages;
- support from the supervisor and a commitment from the laboratory director;
- one to three recommendation letters; and
- a passport or national identity document.
The form also asks for six keywords and project sections covering the summary, background, objectives, methodology and timeline, relevance to the program, and collaboration or expected impact. Each section has a character limit. The available information does not state the numeric limits, file formats, document-language rules, or whether letters must be uploaded by applicants or referees. Check the live form before preparing final files, and follow its current field-level directions. Campus France application requirements
The host laboratory is not an optional detail to add after submission: applicants must identify a French host laboratory as part of the application. The selected researcher and host are required to sign a research-stay agreement. Ask the proposed supervisor and laboratory director what support they can provide for the application and what they need to review before making their commitment. The exact agreement process and timing are not specified in the supplied information, so verify those points with the program and host. Campus France
Timeline and deadline
Applications opened on September 15, 2026 and close on December 15, 2026 at 23:59 CET. Results are expected in May–June 2027. Research stays are expected to begin between September and December 2027. These are the program’s published dates; the expected results window is not a guaranteed notification day, and the start period is a range rather than a single cohort start date. Check the SMApply listing for any updated instructions as the deadline approaches.
Because the cutoff is specified in Central European Time, applicants in other time zones should convert the deadline carefully and submit before the final hours. The supplied program information does not describe a late-submission grace period. Treat the portal cutoff as the deadline and leave time to upload and review the complete application. SMApply
Preparation advice and common mistakes
Optional preparation advice, not additional program requirements: Before drafting, make a one-page planning note that connects the research question to one or more listed themes, identifies the French laboratory and supervisor, and sketches a 12-month work plan. Use that note to keep the summary, objectives, methods, timeline, and expected impact consistent across the form. This is a practical way to prepare the requested sections; it is not a separate document listed as required.
Ask the prospective host early whether the laboratory can support the project and whether the supervisor and director can provide the requested support and commitment. Discuss the research-stay agreement, access to facilities, and any travel help directly with the host. These conversations are useful preparation, but the program’s stated benefits do not include laboratory costs, and host travel help is only a possibility. Do not make a budget that depends on unconfirmed assistance. Campus France
Collect the listed documents and check the page limits before uploading. Draft the six keywords and project responses in a separate working document, then trim each response to the character limit shown in SMApply. Keep the thesis defense evidence legible and consistent with the date used to assess eligibility. If relying on the maternity-leave extension, verify the accepted supporting evidence and eligibility calculation with the official instructions rather than assuming what qualifies.
Common avoidable problems include submitting by email instead of through SMApply, overlooking the French-host requirement, exceeding the CV page limits, or describing a health project without making its environmental or animal-health dimension clear. Another risk is treating the monthly award as if it also paid for international travel or laboratory expenses. Review each of these points against the official program page and portal before submission. Campus France
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply if I already live and work in France?
The stated rule excludes applicants who are living and professionally active in France when they apply. The brief does not define how temporary stays, remote work, or other edge cases are treated. If your circumstances are not straightforward, ask Campus France to clarify your eligibility before submitting. Campus France
Does the fellowship pay for my flight or research expenses?
No international travel to France is covered by the program, and laboratory costs are not funded. A host laboratory may be able to help with travel, but applicants should treat that as unconfirmed until the host agrees. The official summary does not specify additional expense categories. Campus France
Can I submit a medical or public-health project?
A health project must connect to the environmental or animal-health dimension of the One Health theme. Health-only projects without such a dimension are ineligible. Explain the connection in the proposal, and use the official theme descriptions if you are uncertain whether the project fits. Campus France
Do I need a French host before applying?
Yes. Identifying a French host laboratory is part of applying, and the selected researcher and host must sign a research-stay agreement. The supplied information does not indicate that the program will find a host for applicants. Campus France
How many fellowships are available, and what are the selection criteria?
The number of awards for the 2027 cohort is not stated in the information available for this article. No selection rubric or acceptance odds are provided here. Applicants should check the current Campus France page and SMApply call for any published cohort size, evaluation criteria, or updates; do not infer these from the benefit amount or expected timeline.
What should I do if I need a maternity-leave extension?
The program says an extension may be available with supporting documents, but the supplied details do not specify the duration, calculation, or exact evidence. Consult the official call and confirm your case with Campus France before finalizing eligibility. Campus France
Official sources
- Campus France: MOPGA 2027 Visiting Fellowship for Early Career Researchers — program purpose, benefits, eligibility, themes, application documents, and process.
- Campus France SMApply: MOPGA 2027 — online application and published deadline and cohort timeline.
Recheck both official pages before submitting. The number of available fellowships, the detailed selection criteria, numeric character limits, and some case-specific eligibility interpretations are not confirmed in the supplied information.