Slots: 1 for whole institution.
Deadlines
Internal Deadline: TBA
LOI: TBA; likely early October 2025
External Deadline: TBA; likely mid-November 2025 (4PM CET) (Central European Time)
Award Information
Award Type: Grant
Anticipated Award Amount: Up to 200.000€ per year for 5 years maximum. An AXA Chair is awarded for a period of 5 years.
Who May Serve as PI: The Chairholder is expected to be of the highest caliber, as evidenced by the standard indicators for assessing academic excellence: publications in first-rate journals, international stature, and network. The profile of the candidate should be at least PhD+10 years from PhD defense date to the time of application. The AXA Chairholder is expected to spend their full time in the host Institution, and their publications will be issued in the name of the host institution during the chair duration. At equal level of excellence and transformational potential, preference will be given to institutions hiring a Chairholder from another Institution. AXA Chairs are not intended to substitute for an internal promotion.
Link to Award: https://www.axa-research.org/en/page/AXA-Chairs
Process for Limited Submissions
PIs must submit their application as a Limited Submission through the Research Initiatives and Infrastructure (RII) Application Portal: https://rii.usc.edu/oor-portal/. Use the template provided here: RII Limited Submission Applicant Template
Materials to submit include:
- (1) Two-Page Proposal Summary (1” margins; single-spaced; standard font type, e.g. Arial, Helvetica, Times New Roman, or Georgia typeface; font size: 11 pt). Page limit includes references and illustrations. Pages that exceed the 2-page limit will be excluded from review. You must use the template linked above.
- (2) CV – (5 pages maximum)
Note: The portal requires information about the PIs in addition to department and contact information, including the 10-digit USC ID#, Gender, and Ethnicity. Please have this material prepared before beginning this application.
Purpose
The AXA Research Fund was launched in 2007 to support science in responding to some of the most pressing societal issues and risks. Through this program, AXA, a leading insurer, is committed to supporting science in order to contribute to societal progress and better inform decision making. The AXA Research Fund supports projects in the broad risk areas of health, climate and environment, and socioeconomics.
The AXA Chair is a highly selective funding scheme intended to support significant advancements in the development of a research area within a host institution in line with the institution’s longterm 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 host Institution must intend to create a permanent full-time position.
The selection of the research projects is an independent process undertaken by the AXA Research Fund’s Scientific Board composed of top-tier scientists and following a rigorous process of academic pre-screening and peer review. The Scientific Board guarantees a transparent and fair selection process.
The AXA Research Fund does not interfere with the researchers work and is committed to providing full research independence to its endorsed grantees. The AXA Research Fund believes these conditions are crucial to ensure the innovation, the impact, and the quality of the research results.
The AXA Research Fund supports academic projects that contribute to better understanding global risks, in particular in the areas of:
Health: • Artificial intelligence, data science & machine learning applied to health • Climate change & health • Demographics, longevity, and aging • Efficiency of healthcare systems • Infectious diseases & epidemics • Management of chronic & non- communicable diseases • Mental health • Micro and nano plastics & their effects on human health • Robotics & automation applied to health • Well-being, prevention, & personalized health
Environment: • Artificial intelligence, data science & machine learning applied to environment • Biodiversity & natural capital • Climate change & climate migration • Climate change & health • Natural catastrophes • Pollution • Responsible investment strategies & sustainable finance • Robotics, automation applied to climate and environment • Sustainable resource management / Sustainable cities
Socioeconomics: • Artificial intelligence, data science & machine learning applied to socioeconomics • Behavioral economics • Blockchain • Cyber risk & protection • Economic and social inclusion • Financial risk modeling • Geopolitics • Inclusive finance • Robotics, automation applied to socioeconomics • Social & financial inclusion • Systemic risk • The macroeconomic & societal role of insurance Only research projects with relevance to the list above will be considered for funding.
Visit our Institutionally Limited Submission webpage for more updates and other announcements.