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MOPGA 2027 Visiting Fellowship Program for Early-Career Researchers.
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Publish Date 10/11/2026 Application Deadline 12/15/2026 Opportunity Type Fellowships Publisher Foras Khadra Available Countries All World, The Arab World, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Djibouti, Somalia, Comoros Description

The MOPGA 2027 Visiting Fellowship Program is an international research fellowship organized by Campus France and funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space.

The program aims to attract international researchers at the early stages of their academic careers and enable them to conduct advanced research projects at French research institutions and laboratories for 12 months.

The fellowship focuses on research addressing climate change, environmental challenges, sustainability, energy transition, and human, animal, and ecosystem health. Participants are expected to develop innovative research projects, collaborate with supervisors and host laboratories in France, strengthen international scientific cooperation, and consider the potential impact of their research in their country of residence or country of origin.

The program is intended for PhD holders who obtained their doctoral degrees within the specified eligibility period. It is not open to master's or doctoral students who have not yet obtained the required degree.
Details
  • Duration: 12 months, non-renewable.
  • Location: Research institutions and laboratories in France.
  • Expected Start Period: Successful candidates are expected to arrive in France and begin their research between September and December 2027.
  • Monthly Allowance: €2,500 per month throughout the fellowship.
  • Settlement Allowance: A one-time payment of €500 at the beginning of the research stay.
  • Health and Insurance Coverage: The program includes health insurance, civil liability insurance, and assistance with repatriation when necessary. Complementary health coverage is provided after registration with the French social security system.
  • Application Fees: The announcement does not specify an application fee. Therefore, it is not possible to confirm whether any fees apply based solely on the published information.
  • Travel Expenses: International travel to France is not covered by the program. The host laboratory may be able to provide assistance, but this is not guaranteed.
  • Laboratory Funding: The program does not provide a dedicated budget to the host laboratory. Its funding is intended to cover the researcher's living expenses.
  • Application Language: Applications may be submitted in English or French.
  • Application Platform: The dedicated online application platform provided by Campus France.
  • Application Opening Date: September 15, 2026.
  • Application Deadline: December 15, 2026.
  • Expected Results Announcement: May–June 2027.
  • Funding Status: Selected candidates receive French government scholarship-holder status, and funding is administered directly through Campus France.
  • Hosting Agreement: A research stay agreement must be signed between the host institution in France and the selected researcher.
  • Combination with Other Funding: The fellowship cannot be combined with a French employment contract, such as a research or postdoctoral contract, or with another individual grant awarded by a French government body.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Nationality: Applicants must not be French nationals. All other nationalities, including Arab nationalities, are eligible in principle, subject to the remaining requirements.
  • Academic Qualification: Applicants must hold a doctoral degree (PhD).
  • PhD Award Date: Applicants must have defended their doctoral thesis between December 2021 and December 2026, inclusive.
  • Research Career Stage: The fellowship targets early-career researchers who obtained their PhDs within the specified period. It is not intended for students who have not yet completed their doctoral degrees.
  • Residence and Employment in France: Applicants must not be residing and carrying out professional activities in France at the time of application.
  • Previous Fellowship: Applicants who have previously received an MOPGA fellowship are not eligible.
  • International Mobility: The purpose of the application must be to undertake a research stay in France.
  • Research Project Relevance: The proposed project must fall within one of the five designated research fields.
  • Language: The application must be prepared in English or French. The published eligibility criteria do not specify a mandatory minimum score for a language proficiency test.
  • Age: The announcement does not specify a minimum or maximum age. Eligibility is primarily determined by the date of the doctoral thesis defense.
  • Maternity Leave Exception: An extension of the eligibility period may be considered for applicants who obtained their PhDs more than five years ago because of maternity leave. The extension may amount to 18 months per child or the actual duration of maternity leave, subject to supporting documentation.
  • Pending Formal Degree Documentation: If the official PhD certificate has not yet been issued, applicants may submit an official document confirming that the thesis defense has taken place or another official document from their academic institution demonstrating this. A thesis defense scheduled after December 2026 is not sufficient.
Opportunity Benefits
  • Monthly Financial Allowance: €2,500 per month for 12 months, totaling €30,000 over the fellowship period.
  • Settlement Allowance: A one-time payment of €500 at the beginning of the research stay.
  • Health and Insurance Coverage: Includes health insurance, civil liability insurance, assistance with repatriation, and complementary health coverage after registration with the French social security system.
  • Research Opportunities in France: The opportunity to conduct a research project at a French laboratory or research institution.
  • International Scientific Collaboration: Opportunities to collaborate with French supervisors, researchers, and scientific institutions.
  • Academic Career Development: Gain international research experience and develop a scientific project within a specialized research environment.
  • Contribution to Global Challenges: The opportunity to contribute to research on climate change, sustainability, energy, the environment, and One Health.
  • French Government Scholarship-Holder Status: Selected candidates receive this status during their research stay.
  • Access to the Host Institution's Research Environment: The host laboratory is expected to provide an appropriate scientific environment and the resources required to carry out the project, in accordance with the hosting agreement.