The MOPGA initiative launched in 2018, has met with worldwide enthusiasm, generating expressions of interest from a large number of highly qualified students and researchers.
The 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) or COP26 take place from 31 October to 12 November in Glasgow (United Kingdom). France, as a major actor in the fight against climate change and guarantor of the spirit of Paris Agreement, implements a new MOPGA visiting fellowship program that aims to take part in the strengthening of science contribution to the challenges raised by the COPs.
France’s Ministries of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) and of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (MESRI) in collaboration with Campus France, have implemented a visiting fellowships program for young researcher, Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA), to welcome young foreign researchers wishing to conduct further research in France.
The MOPGA Visiting Fellowships Program for Young Researchers will be supporting researchers working on topics related 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
Description of the Fellowship Program (in English or French)
- Title of the Project
- Keywords (6)
- Abstract of the Research Project (2,000 characters max.)
- Context and Motivation (2,000 characters max.)
- Scientific Objectives (2,000 characters max.)
- Methodology and Planning report (4,500 characters max.)
- Project position in relation with the MOPGA scientific domain (2,000 characters 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 can respond to this call for proposals. Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, except French nationals.
40 fellowships will be awarded over a 12-month period from September 2022.
The 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 visiting fellowship agreement with the French host institution will be established between the institutions and the laureates. It will specify the means and resources made available by the host laboratory in France so that the researcher can carry out the research project.
RESEARCH THEMES
Five broad research themes are prioritized:
- 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
Consistent with the aims and requirements of this call for applications, the selection process will unfold in two phases. In the first phase, scientific experts in the covered fields will evaluate the applications received. In the second phase, an international jury will make the final selection of candidates to receive support.
CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY
Candidates must:
- have obtained their PhD less than five years prior to the application (i.e. they must have defended their PhD between December 2016 and December 2021),
- not hold French citizenship,
- not have resided in France after September 1st, 2021.
The start of the MOPGA Visiting Fellowships Program for Young Researchers is due to take effect in September 2022.
DOCUMENTS NEEDED
- CV including the list of your publications in English
- PhD Diploma (or certificate of PhD diploma)
- CV of your research supervisor in the French host institution (2 pages max.)
- Letter of support from the French host institution
- Letters of recommendation (3 max.)
- Passport or proof of ID
APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates must submit their research proposals online here: https://campusfrance.smapply.io/prog/MOPGA-2022
TIMELINE
- November 10th, 2021: Application period opens
- January 10th, 2022: Application period ends
- End of June 2022: Notification of results
- September 2022: Arrival of the laureates in the host French institution and beginning of the one-year research visiting fellowship in France
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 2016 and December 2021 included).
- Is it possible to apply if I am not a post-doctorate yet?
No, only applicants with a PhD obtained between December 2016 and December 2021 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 2021.
- 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 5 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 5 fellowship cover the travel expenses to France?
No, the MOPGA 5 fellowship does not cover the travel expenses to France. Laureates will receive a moving allowance of 500 euros.
- When the fellowship will be awarded?
Fellowships will be awarded from September 2022 to August 2023.
- What is the length of the scholarship?
Fellowships will be awarded over a 12-month period.
- Where should I do my research?
The MOPGA 5 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 scholarship?
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, Research and Innovation are eligible to host MOPGA 5 fellows.
- Does the French research center receive any allowance to host the MOPGA 5 fellow?
The French research center will not receive any allowance to host the MOPGA 5 fellow. Laboratory expenses are not covered by the MOPGA 5 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).