AXA CHAIRS 2026

Objective

The AXA Foundation for Human Progress’ grant for an AXA Chair amounts to up to €1.5 million and is awarded for a period of 5 years. The grant will be paid in yearly instalments. 

UPC can support only one candidate to the category: Global Category. This category supports international, transdisciplinary research networks that address major risks and challenges related to:

• Risks to People Health and Human Wellbeing,

• Risks to Societies, and/or

• Risks to the Planet.

Projects must:

• integrate at least two academic disciplines, including one from social sciences / humanities / economics and one from natural sciences / engineering / technology;

• involve at least one non-academic partner (e.g. public authority, NGO, community organization, public hospital, professional association) as a co-design and co-implementation partner;

• adopt a network-based approach with clear international collaboration (e.g. partners, data, or impact across multiple countries);

• show how the Chair will help build a durable research network beyond the 5-year funding period.  

General Requirements for the 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 have demonstrated experience in leading or significantly contributing to transdisciplinary research, including:

• collaborations across multiple academic disciplines; and

• previous engagement with non-academic stakeholders (policy makers, practitioners, communities, civil society, industry, etc.) in research, knowledge exchange or implementation activities.

The Chairholder will be expected to act as a catalyst for transdisciplinary collaboration within the host institution and its networks.

The Chairholder will act as Network Principal Investigator (PI) and must demonstrate:

• a strong track record of leading or significantly contributing to transdisciplinary research networks;

• experience in full co-production with non-academic stakeholders (from agenda-setting to dissemination); and

• the ability to build long-term collaborations that can endure beyond the AXA funding. 

Duration of the Grant

5 years

Grant Amount

• Up to a maximum of €1,500,000.

Application Submission

Interested individuals, or members of the university community in contact with a potential candidate, must send an email with the CVA of the proposed candidate before March 25 at 14:00 h. to captaciotalent.sp@upc.edu

Documentation and Support

• Guidelines
• AXA Foundation for Human Progress Official Website

More information: captaciotalent.sp@upc.edu