AXA Research Fund - AXA Chairs

Eligibility

Institutions:

Institutions can submit only one candidate per campaign.  Non-selected institutions will not be able to re-apply for the same candidate or research program the following year. 

The AXA Research Fund partners with academic institutions only. Associations, foundations, governmental bodies, hospitals, independent research centers, museums and NGOs are not eligible for AXA funding.  

Host institutions must be registered in the AXA Research Fund’s database. 

Institutions can host several AXA Chairs if they are not carried by the same department or laboratory within the Institution.  Host institutions will be expected to participate in the Chair’s general funding through studentships, post-doctoral support and material resources related to the research program. The Institution is responsible for providing details of this support in the application. 

Chairholder:

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.  

The research program must demonstrate its scientific originality and innovative character, as well as be part of the three main research fields we support: health, climate, and new technologies and socioeconomics. 

View the guidelines for eligible projects.

Summary

The AXA Chair is a highly selective funding scheme for senior researchers intended to support significant 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.

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

Application deadlines

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Submission Process

Eligible organizations may submit only 1 application.

An internal Notice of Intent (iNOI) is due to Research Services by Noon on September 12, 2024. Send the following details to maryam.tahir@ucalgary.ca by this date:

1. Principal Investigator’s name
2. Faculty and Department
3. Project Title

This submission to Research Services is required since the application is made by the institution, and an internal Letter of Intent (LOI) stage may be required if multiple applications are seeking to go forward. 

Please note: Submission of an iNOI is mandatory. Any applications submitted to the funding agency without having undergone this stage will be rejected.

Registration Stage

Registration documents (3 pg. CV and description of research program - 3000 characters), plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS) (https://research.ucalgary.ca/conduct-research/additional-resources/research-management-system-rms), will be required by RSO by noon on October 7, 2024.  Please be sure to select "Submitted for approvals" (Under Save & Progress) in RMS in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the Research Services deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines. 

Once your RMS record has been approved by Research Services, submit to the agency by their deadline on October 10, 2024.

Full Application

Those invited to submit full applications should sent their full application, plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS) (https://research.ucalgary.ca/conduct-research/additional-resources/research-management-system-rms), to RSO by noon on November 18, 2024.  Please be sure to select "Submitted for approvals" (Under Save & Progress) in RMS in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the Research Services deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines. 

Once your RMS record has been approved by Research Services, submit to the agency by their deadline on November 21, 2024.