Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA)

Overview

Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) is a French government mobility programme that brings international early-career researchers to France to work on the planet's most pressing environmental challenges. It is run by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and implemented by Campus France, and it focuses on three priority themes: earth systems, climate change and sustainability, and the energy transition.

The programme funds research stays in France through several components. These have included postdoctoral contracts of roughly 6 to 24 months, doctoral co-financing, shorter research stays, and master's excellence grants. The exact package and duration depend on the component and are set in each annual call, with the 2026 round being the ninth call.

MOPGA is aimed at researchers, and for some components master's and doctoral candidates, who propose a research project in France within the priority themes. If your work sits at the intersection of climate science, sustainability, and the energy transition, this programme gives you a funded route to carry it out at a French host institution.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Detail
Funding Body	French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (Campus France)
Host Country	France
Degree Levels	Master's, PhD, and early-career research
Value	Funded research stay; package and duration vary by component (e.g. postdoc 6-24 months), set per annual call
Deadline	Annual calls (9th call for 2026); windows announced each year, typically winter/spring
Eligible Nationalities	International early-career researchers and, for some components, master's/doctoral candidates
Official Website	campusfrance.org

Eligibility Criteria

Who can apply

The core audience is international early-career researchers. Some components also open to master's and doctoral candidates. You generally apply from outside France with a project you want to carry out at a French host institution.

Research Theme Requirements

Your proposed project must fit one of the priority themes: earth systems; climate change and sustainability; or the energy transition. Projects outside these areas are not eligible.

Academic Requirements

Requirements depend on the component. Postdoctoral components expect a completed or near-completed PhD, doctoral components a relevant master's, and master's grants a strong academic record. The exact conditions are defined in each annual call.

Host Institution

Most components require a French host institution or supervisor who will receive you, so building that connection is part of the application.

What the Scholarship Covers

• A funded research stay in France, with the package set per component and per annual call.
• Postdoctoral contracts of roughly 6 to 24 months.
• Doctoral co-financing arrangements.
• Shorter research stays for some profiles.
• Master's excellence grants under specific calls.
• Exact stipend amounts, allowances, and support services are published in each annual call.

How to Apply

1. Identify your component: Decide whether you fit the postdoctoral, doctoral, short-stay, or master's component.
2. Shape your project: Develop a research proposal that clearly sits within one of the three priority themes.
3. Find a French host: Secure a host institution or supervisor in France where the project will take place.
4. Check the open call: Read the current Campus France call for the exact rules, package, and deadlines.
5. Submit your application: Apply through the channel specified in the call within the published window.
6. Await selection: Applications are assessed on scientific quality and fit with the programme's themes.

Required Documents

• Detailed research project proposal
• Curriculum vitae and publication list where relevant
• Academic certificates and transcripts
• Letter of support or invitation from a French host institution or supervisor
• Motivation letter
• Letters of recommendation
• Passport or identity document
• Any component-specific documents listed in the call

Key Dates & Deadlines

MOPGA runs through annual calls, with the 2026 round being the ninth call. Application windows are announced each year by Campus France and typically open in winter or spring. Because deadlines and the funded components change from one call to the next, check the open MOPGA call on the Campus France site for the current schedule and the duration of each award.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Align your project tightly with one of the three priority themes and say so explicitly.
• Secure a committed French host institution early, since this strengthens feasibility.
• Show the scientific significance and real-world impact of your proposed work.
• Read the current call carefully to apply to the right component with the correct documents.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Proposing a project that does not clearly fit the climate, sustainability, or energy themes.
• Applying without a French host or supervisor where the call requires one.
• Assuming a single fixed package; amounts and durations vary by component and call.
• Missing the annual call window, which changes each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA)?

It is a French government mobility programme, implemented by Campus France, that funds international early-career researchers to work in France on earth systems, climate change and sustainability, and the energy transition.

Who is eligible for MOPGA?

International early-career researchers, and for some components master's and doctoral candidates, proposing a research project in France within the priority themes.

What does MOPGA fund?

Funded research stays, including postdoctoral contracts of roughly 6 to 24 months, doctoral co-financing, short stays, and master's excellence grants, depending on the call.

What are the MOPGA priority themes?

Earth systems; climate change and sustainability; and the energy transition. Your project must fit one of these areas.

What is the deadline for MOPGA?

MOPGA runs annual calls, with the 2026 round being the ninth call. Windows are announced each year and typically open in winter or spring, so check the current call.

How much does MOPGA pay?

The package and duration vary by component and are set in each annual call, so refer to the open call for exact amounts.

Do I need a French host institution for MOPGA?

Most components require a French host institution or supervisor to receive you, so arranging this is part of the application.

Who runs MOPGA?

It is a programme of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, implemented by Campus France.

Can master's students apply for MOPGA?

Some components are open to master's and doctoral candidates, depending on the call. Check the current call for which components apply to you.

Where do I find official MOPGA information?

On the Campus France site at campusfrance.org.