AXA Chairs

Duration : 5 years

Amount : 200.000€ per annum

Profile : PhD +10 minimum

About the program

AXA Chairs

The AXA Chair is a highly selective funding scheme for senior researchers intended to support significant transdisciplinary advancements in the development of a research area within a host institution that is in line with its long-term strategy. It aims at creating a full-time academic position in the host institution and fostering a step change in the career of the appointed AXA Professor.

The AXA Research Fund is an exemplary model for research support. It gives researchers the freedom to fully unleash their potential to carry out the research. In my case, I have been able to conduct highly applicable research in biomedical imaging, which is now used worldwide. I have also conducted upstream research into wave behavior, all of which, I believe, will be the seeds of new future applications. This has been possible, of course, thanks to the financial support of the Fund, but also to the precious philosophy of the Fund, based on steady trust and support.
Prof. Emmanuel Fort AXA Chair in Biomedical Imaging, ESCPI, France

Eligibility

Who can apply

Institutions

Host institutions must be registered in the AXA Research Fund’s database. Host Institutions may submit only one candidate per campaign under each call category.

Prospective Chairholder

The prospective Chairholder is expected to be at least PhD +10 years minimum, to be of the highest caliber and should have demonstrated outstanding research achievements.

Research program

There will be two distinct categories under the 2026 AXA Chair call for projects: Global Category, which supports international transdisciplinary research in climate and environment, health, and socioeconomics; and Health in France, which exclusively supports health-related research projects conducted in France by French institutions. All research programs must demonstrate scientific originality, an innovative approach, and clear relevance to the supported research fields.

Guidelines

Click here to see the guidelines.

When to apply

AXA Chairs Key Dates

The AXA chairs is awarded once per year. All stages of the application process open and close at 4:00 PM CET. Key application dates for 2026 campaign:

Step

Expression of interest

September 22 - October 10, 2025

Full application (For shortlisted candidates only)

October 27 - November 21, 2025

Rebuttal

March 16 - March 27, 2026

Online Q&A session with the Scientific Board (TBD - For shortlisted candidates only)

May 01 - May 31, 2025

Results announcement

June 01 - June 30, 2026

How to apply

Application process

Submitting an application is a multi-step process:

Step 1

Expression of interest

Register on our dedicated online platform: Once registered, you can submit the candidate’s details (date of birth and date of PhD defense), a short CV (3 pages) and title and description of the research program (3000 characters, spaces included).

Step 2

Full application

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a full application through our online application platform. Application must be submitted in English by the deadline. Applications received after the deadline will be disqualified.

Step 3

Rebuttal

Candidates will have one week to respond to the reviewers’ comments before their application are submitted to the AXA’s Scientific Board.

Step 4

Online Interview

An online interview session is held with the Scientific Board's members for shortlisted candidates only. The date of the interview will be communicated in due course.

Contact