Because science is at the heart of human progress
Now part of the AXA Foundation for Human Progress, the AXA Research Fund is AXA Group’s global scientific philanthropy initiative. Launched in 2008 to address the most important issues facing our planet, we support human progress by funding research in key areas related to risk and helping inform decision-making based on science. We are the cornerstone of the Science Pillar of the AXA Foundation for Human Progress launched on June 30th 2025.
Our strategy
A mandate-driven approach
The AXA Research Fund functions on a five-year mandate with a main mission at heart: supporting transformative and excellent science. The current mandate, launched in January 2023, is focused on further strengthening the transdisciplinary exploration of emerging risks, to consolidate links between academic experts, industry and the public sector around major societal issues for informed decision-making, and to implement innovative formats for the dissemination of scientific knowledge for the benefit of decision-makers and the public.
By funding research on the preservation of our planet, the improvement of health and the stability of our economies and societies, we are fully committed to act for human progress by protecting what matters.
Thomas Buberl CEO of AXA
Our purpose
Accelerating science to protect what matters
We seek to support scientists of the highest caliber and potential whose research projects are innovative and transformative. We also strive to catalyze a step-change in the career of its supported researchers through funding, public engagement, and increased collaboration.
Disseminating knowledge and informing decision-making
We work to accelerate scientific dissemination. In addition to financial support, we assist researchers in outreach efforts through the engagement of the research community with media partners and non-scientific audiences. Ultimately, our goal is the dissemination of scientific knowledge towards better informed decision-making.
Our work
The Fund’s work is directed towards major risks our society is facing in the areas of health, environment, and socio-economy & new tech. This scope is also aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
262 M€
committed to research
750+
Research projects funded
43%
women-led research projects
434
academic institutions supported
in 39
countries
Committed to contribute to global societal challenges related to health, environment, and socio-economy & new tech.
Supported institutions
From Argentina to Vietnam, we work with the best. Discover the institutions we collaborate with.
The AXA Research Fund provides an amazing opportunity to enable scientific research that responds to urgent and critical risks of our time. By supporting change-makers in a diversity of fields, the Fund helps expedite action towards a more equitable, sustainable and safer society for all.
Prof. Debra Roberts President of the AXA Research Fund Scientific Board
Our governance
The AXA Research Fund Scientific Board
To ensure relevance, excellence, and the independence of its projects, the AXA Research Fund is advised by a team of experts including a scientific board responsible for ensuring the transparency and the integrity of the selection process for every research project that is awarded funding.
Debra Roberts
President of Scientific Board, Head of the Sustainable & Resilient City Initiatives Unit in eThekwini Municipality in Durban, South Africa
Carol Brayne
Professor of Public Health Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK
Isabel Díaz
Deputy Vice-President, International Cooperation of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
Lawrence Lessig
Former Director of Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, Harvard University; Roy L. Furman Professor of Law, Harvard Law School, USA
Marja Jylhä
Professor of Gerontology, Department of Health Sciences, Tampere University, Finland
Olivier Boucher
CNRS Research Director, Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique, France
Raja Chatila
Professor Emeritus of AI, Robotics & IT Ethics, Sorbonne University, France
Sergei Guriev
Dean, London Business School; Former Professor of Economic at Sciences Po (Paris); Former Chief Economist at European Bank for Recontrustion and Development.
The AXA Research Fund Advisory Board
The Advisory Board, composed of C-suite AXA Group business leaders, provides inputs on broad strategic development and research fields to be developed.
Alexander Vollert
Chief Operating Officer, AXA Group
Ulrike Decoene
Chief Communication, Brand & Corporate Responsibility Officer, AXA Group
Julien Guénot
Regional Director for Southern Europe, AXA XL
Françoise Gilles
Group Chief Risk Officer, AXA Group
Claudio Gienal
Chief Transformation Officer AXA Europe & Health
Garance Wattez-Richard
Head of AXA EssentiALL
Gilles Moëc
Chief Economist, AXA Group