The French government, a major actor in the battle against climate change, is now accepting applications for the Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) initiative. In an effort to boost the COPs’ scientific contributions to climate change, France has established a new MOPGA Visiting Fellowship Program for Young Researchers and supports the Paris Agreement.
Forty young researchers are welcomed to finish their studies in France as part of the sixth MOPGA initiative. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the French Ministry for Higher Education and Research, funds Campus France’s implementation of this initiative. Young researchers will receive funding through the MOPGA 2023 Visiting Fellowship to work on climate change-related projects for a full year beginning in September 2023.
Benefits
Successful applicants can benefit from the MOPGA Visiting Fellowship Program 2024 as follows:
- Monthly allowance of 2,500 Euros;
- Moving allowance of 500 Euros;
- Social security coverage;
- Health insurance support.
Eligibility Criteria
All candidates should meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Applicants must NOT hold French citizenship;
- Overseas researchers holding a doctoral degree for less than five years (Thesis defense between January 2019 and January 2024);
- Overseas researchers who have not resided in France for more than 90 days (between October 9th, 2023, and January 9th, 2024)
Research Themes
Applicants can apply for five eligible research themes as follows:
- Earth systems;
- Sustainability and climate change;
- Energy transition;
- Societal challenges of environmental issues;
- Human, animal, and ecosystem health as part of a “One Health” approach.
Research Project Description
The research project can be in English or French and should contain the following topics:
- Title of the research project;
- At least six keywords;
- The research project abstract of a maximum of 2,000 characters;
- Context and motivation of maximum 2,000 characters;
- Scientific objectives of a maximum of 2,000 characters;
- Methodology and timeline of maximum 4,500 characters;
- Project position concerning the MOPGA scientific domain with a maximum of 2,000 characters;
- Collaborations and impacts for the candidate’s residence country concerning the research project proposal (2,000 characters max.)
Documents Needed
Candidates should prepare and submit the following documents in PDF format only:
- CV containing the list of applicant’s publications in English (max. four pages);
- PhD Diploma or certificate of PhD diploma;
- Applicant’s research supervisor’s CV in the French host institution (max. two pages);
- Support letter from the French host institution;
- Recommendation letters (max. three letters)
- Passport or proof of ID.
Selection Process
The selection process will have two phases. In the first phase, scientific experts will assess and evaluate the applications in each relevant field. In the second phase, an international committee will select the 40 final fellows for the MOPGA 2024.
