AXA Research Fund’s Grants: Amplifying Your Scientific Impact

AXA grants are only open to researchers and academic institutions worldwide. The following organizations are NOT eligible for AXA funding: associations, hospitals, foundations, NGOs, governmental bodies, independent research centers, cultural institutions, museums... 

The AXA Research Fund solely supports academic research projects lying within the scope of eligible areas (more details available for AXA Chairs and AXA Post-Doctoral Fellowships). The following types of projects are NOT eligible for AXA funding: research and development, company’s creation, educational programs… 

Academic institutions can apply for an AXA Chair each time a new campaign is launched. However, the institution cannot re-apply with the same candidate as their last application for a period of 3 years. 

Step 1: Expression of Interest

The expression of interest provides initial information on the candidate and on the program submitted in the aim of accessing rights to the full application process. 

Academic institutions should appoint a single point of contact “Operational Contact” (holding an administrative position within the institution) who will register the AXA Research Fund’s online platform to submit the expression of interest. Candidates cannot submit their expression of interest independently of the host institution. 

Step 2: Full Application

Only candidates selected during the expression of interest phase can submit a full application which consists of a robust application providing in-depth information on the candidate’s research background and research proposal. 

Before you start to write

• Check you are eligible
• Read the guidelines on the specific grant webpage. You’ll find information about eligibility, what we offer, how to apply and deadlines. 
• Gather all the information you need, get as much advice as you can – ask other people if they are willing to share their successful and unsuccessful applications with you.  
• Contact the research support office at your host institution early in the application process so they can give you advice.
• Make sure your proposal is competitive: discuss your ideas with your sponsor, mentor, supervisor and/or senior colleagues. Get input from colleagues who are inside and outside your research field. 

Writing your application

• Give yourself plenty of time: it’s important that you avoid rushing your application. Allow plenty of time ahead of the deadline.
• Check the specific grant webpage for advice about your application, including deadlines and submissions. 
• Allow enough time for your application to be approved and submitted by your host institution. Make sure you’re aware of any deadlines at your organisation that could delay this. 
• Check that anyone involved in your application, such as your sponsor, supervisor or collaborator, can meet the scheme deadline.

Make your application easy to read and understand

• Aim your proposal at people who have specific expertise in your field as well as those who have broader research experience. 
• Provide a balanced overview of the background, rationale and supporting evidence. Refer to appropriate studies by others and use preliminary data, pilot studies and/or scoping research to support your research question(s).
• Give enough detail that reviewers can understand what you’re proposing, how it will be carried out and whether it’s feasible. 
•  Request research costs that are necessary for your project. Make sure you’re aware what you can and cannot ask for – this information is available on the application guidelines.
• Use a title that is short, specific and reflects the importance of your proposal. Structure your writing with clear headings and subheadings.
• Write in clear English and avoid technical jargon where possible. Keep abbreviations and acronyms to a minimum – define them when they’re first used.
• List all references consistently.
• Use diagrams and figures where appropriate.
• Check your spelling and grammar.

Expressions of interest are reviewed by the AXA Research Fund Team based on the relevance of the research topics and the candidates’ scientific CVs. 

Full applications are assessed by a panel of independent experts in a standard peer-review process according to our criteria and the expert’s knowledge. 

The final decision in granting funding is made by the AXA Research Fund’s Scientific Board composed of top-tier scientists from a variety of research fields and following a rigorous process of academic pre-screening and peer review. The selection of the research projects is an independent process in which neither the AXA Research Fund nor AXA, interfere. 

Whether or not your project has been successful, you will be informed about this decision by email. However, we are not able to provide any feedback on our selection process or decisions. 

An official letter mentioning that you have been selected for an AXA grant will be sent by email to the dean of your institution. You will be on copy of this email. 

For AXA Fellowships: The grant offer is valid for a period of 2 weeks following the announcement of the results. 
For AXA Chairs: The grant offer is valid for a period of 2 weeks following the announcement of the results. 

Projects are expected to start no later than 6 months after the announcement of the results. 

Once the Institution officially accepts the grant and the conditions, the AXA Research Fund and the Institution enter in the process of setting-up the agreement. The AXA grant is officially announced only when the agreement is signed. The agreement covers the entire duration of the research grant. 

The AXA Research Fund does not cover expenses that are not directly connected to the Research Program. Therefore, the AXA Research grant cannot be used for administrative and infrastructural expenses. 

Eligible costs are: 

• AXA Grantee expenses (incl. annual gross salary, travel & accommodation costs…) 
•  Post-Doc/PhD expenses (incl. selection process costs, Junior Research Fellow Grants…) 
•  Purchase of scientific equipment and resources (databases, survey costs, consumables…) 
• Academic and public engagement activities organization costs (organization of conferences, seminars, dissemination activities towards expert and non-expert public…) 

 For AXA Chair:

The grant is paid in yearly installments, following the Institution’s submission of calls for funds. The funds are processed in accordance with a payment schedule stipulated in the agreement. 

The first transfer of funds is triggered by the signature of the agreement, the Chairholder’s official acceptance of the AXA Chair, and the receipt of an official project start letter (to be sent via email) confirming that the research program has begun. The Institution will need to send the first call for funds to axarf.agreement@axa.com to start the payment process. 

In case of early termination, on behalf of the researcher, the Institution shall provide AXA with a statement of expenses. The remaining funds will be retained by the AXA Research Fund. 

For AXA Fellowship: 

Payment of the grant is contingent on the launch of the research project. 

The grant is paid in 4 installments, on the Institution’s submission of the relevant call for funds. Calls for funds should be ideally sent 1 month before the schedule corresponding due date to axarf.agreement@axa.com to start the payment process: 

1. On date T + 1 month, payment of 35 000€ 
2.  On date T + 12 months, payment of 35 000€ 
3. On date T + 18 months, payment of 35 000€ 
4. At the end of the project, payment of 20 000€ subject to the receipt of the final report defined in the contract 

T corresponds to the date on which the project starts. 

Grantees and their host institutions are expected to update the AXA Research Fund on a regular basis and must submit their activity and financial reports yearly and in due course. 

 Activity Report:

This activity report will provide the highlights of the Research Program, progress, achievements, and outputs versus objectives, impacts of the AXA Grant, and research related activities. It is to be submitted on the AXA Research Fund’s grantee portal. The grantee will receive dedicated and secure access credentials upon signature of the agreement.

Financial Report:

This financial report must include the annual expenditure explaining how the grant has been allocated. This report is to be submitted on the AXA Research Fund’s institution portal by the operational contact. 

Grantees are expected to fully commit to their research program (at least 80% of working time spent on selected project) for its whole duration and to demonstrate high level of rigor, seriousness, and professionalism. Grantees are required to be proactive in engaging science with society when supported by the AXA Research Fund and use an open-data framework when applicable. AXA Research Fund grantees commit to sharing their project and communicating their research to a broad audience, supported by the AXA Research Fund.