OECD Co-operative Research Programme Fellowship

Overview

• Host organization: France
• Country or region: France
• Opportunity type: Fellowship
• Field: Agriculture, fisheries, food, forests, trade, water, biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable development
• Level: Postdoctoral, Early-career researchers
• Duration: See official listing
• Funding: Fully Funded
• Deadline: 10 Sep 2026

About the opportunity

## Introduction

The OECD's Co-operative Research Programme on Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems funds short-term international research fellowships for scientists working on agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and food systems, with a specific goal of building lasting scientific partnerships across its 32 participating countries. According to the OECD itself, more than 75 percent of funded fellowships lead to ongoing collaboration between fellows and their host institutions well after the fellowship period ends, reflecting the programme's emphasis on long-term relationship-building over a single short visit.

## About the Opportunity

Fellows spend between six and 26 weeks working with a host laboratory in another participating CRP country, conducting research aligned with the programme's priority areas, which span sustainable productivity and food security, climate risk and emissions in agriculture, forest loss and land degradation, and the environmental impacts of livestock production. Because the CRP's objective is explicitly both scientific and policy-relevant, informing the OECD Committee for Agriculture and related bodies, proposals are expected to demonstrate real potential to influence future policy discussions, not purely academic interest.

## Benefits

Fellows receive a travel lump sum for return economy-class airfare, a weekly subsistence allowance of roughly €600 to 650 depending on the host country's cost of living, and a €165 terminal allowance to help cover transport costs at the start and end of the fellowship; no other costs are covered.

## Who Can Apply?

Applicants need to be research scientists working in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, or sustainable food systems, resident in a participating CRP country, generally with a PhD and around four years of postdoctoral training, though exceptional non-PhD applicants with equivalent published expertise may be considered; applicants must have a continuing employment contract ensuring their job is secure after the fellowship, and cannot apply to remain in a laboratory where they already hold a position.

## Fields of Study or Available Areas

Eligible research areas include sustainable agriculture, food security, climate change, biodiversity, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, soil health, livestock systems, and related natural resource management topics.

## Required Documents

Applicants need the completed online CRP application form, a research proposal explaining the project and its relevance to CRP action areas, a CV, and confirmation or an invitation letter from the proposed host institution.

## Application Process

Applicants first review the CRP Guidelines, Selection Criteria, and Action Areas, then identify and confirm a host institution in another participating country before submitting the online application, addressing every published selection criterion explicitly since the programme's Governing Body makes final decisions based on written applications alone each December.

## Deadline

The current application deadline is 10 September 2026 at midnight Paris time, for fellowships to be funded and undertaken in 2027.

## Why You Should Apply

For experienced agricultural, forestry, or fisheries researchers who want to build genuine international collaborations rather than a one-off research trip, the CRP fellowship offers meaningful travel and subsistence support alongside strong odds of a lasting partnership, backed by the OECD's own data showing most fellowships lead to continued collaboration.

For the full list of participating countries and current guidelines, visit the official OECD CRP fellowships page: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/programmes/co-operative-research-programme/crp-applications-for-fellowships.html

Why this opportunity matters

OECD Co-operative Research Programme Fellowship is worth serious attention because it connects applicants with a verified fellowship route rather than an unverified social-media lead. For students and early-career applicants, the main value is not only the headline benefit; it is the chance to compare eligibility, timing, documents, and official instructions before investing time in a full application. The listing is especially useful for applicants considering France or programs connected to Agriculture, fisheries, food, forests, trade, water, biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable development.

Why students should apply

Students should apply when the program matches their academic level, timing, and long-term direction. A strong application will usually show why the official provider is a good fit, how the applicant's background connects to the program, and what practical outcome the applicant expects after selection. Do not apply only because the opportunity is popular; apply because your profile can answer the provider's criteria with evidence.

Eligibility explained

The published level for this listing is Postdoctoral, Early-career researchers. Treat that as a starting point, then read the official eligibility page for nationality rules, degree timing, language evidence, age limits, institutional nomination requirements, and exclusions. Many rejections happen before review because an applicant misses one basic rule, so check eligibility before writing essays or requesting references.

Financial coverage explained

OpportunityNest records the funding position as: Fully Funded. Applicants should check whether this means full tuition, a stipend, travel, insurance, accommodation, research support, or only a partial award. If any cost is not clearly covered, create a realistic budget before applying so the award does not become financially difficult after selection.

Application timeline

The current deadline status is 10 Sep 2026. Work backward from the official deadline and leave time for transcripts, references, proposal drafts, language documents, passport or visa records, and portal issues. For rolling or variable deadlines, apply early because places, supervisors, or interview slots may close before a broad cycle appears finished.

Mistakes to avoid

Avoid copying a generic motivation letter, uploading unclear scans, ignoring word limits, missing the provider's time zone, or relying on unofficial application agents. Do not treat OpportunityNest as the final authority for a deadline or eligibility condition; use this page to prepare, then verify the final instruction on the official provider website.

Tips for increasing your chances

Build a short evidence map before applying: one column for each selection criterion and one column for your proof. Use specific examples, measurable achievements, relevant coursework or projects, and clear future plans. Ask referees early and give them the program purpose, deadline, and your draft goals so their letters support the same story as your application.

Deadline reminder

Before you submit, reopen the official application page for OECD Co-operative Research Programme Fellowship, confirm that the deadline still reads 10 Sep 2026 or matches the active call, and save a copy of the submitted confirmation. If the provider has not announced a fixed deadline, check the page regularly and prepare documents in advance.

Who should apply

Applicants should consider this opportunity if they match the provider's stated level of Postdoctoral, Early-career researchers, have a relevant connection to Agriculture, fisheries, food, forests, trade, water, biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable development, and can realistically meet the rules for France. This section is a preparation guide only; the official provider page remains the final source for nationality, age, degree, language, nomination, residence, and exclusion rules.

Benefits explained

A travel lump sum covering return economy-class airfare, a weekly subsistence allowance of roughly €600-650 depending on the host country's cost of living, and a €165 terminal allowance to cover transport at the start and end of the fellowship; the fellowship does not cover other costs.

Required documents

Completed online CRP application form, a research proposal describing the planned project and its relevance to CRP priority areas, a CV, and an invitation or hosting confirmation from the proposed host institution.

Application process

Review the CRP Guidelines and Conditions, Selection Criteria, and Action Areas, identify a host institution in another participating CRP country, then complete the official online CRP Research Fellowship application form addressing all published selection criteria before the deadline; the Governing Body makes final award decisions each December.

Selection criteria

Selection criteria are determined by the provider. In general, applicants should expect reviewers to look for eligibility fit, academic or professional relevance, clear motivation, complete documents, realistic timing, and evidence that the applicant understands the purpose of the program. Where the official page lists specific criteria, use those criteria as the structure for your essays, CV, recommendations, and supporting evidence.