FAQ - Calls for projects

1. First of all, please visit this page: http://www.axa-research.org/calls-for-projects

1. 1. I wish to submit a Project. How should I proceed?

Only institutions registered at the AXA Research Fund may present applicants for funding. Please liaise with the Institution Representative who has been designated by your institution to be a single point of contact with the AXA Research Fund (https://secure-researchfund.axa.com/Public/InstitutionSearch.aspx).

1. 2. Are institutions allowed to resubmit an application?

As campaigns are independent from one another, an institution which was not selected in the previous campaigns is allowed to resubmit a different proposal with a different Principal Investigator.

An institution which has already been granted Project funding is allowed to re-apply in a different research field.

1. 3. Institutions allowed to submit a proposal are selected in the first round. What are the criteria to select them?

This selection is primarily based on academic excellence of the institution in the fields where it wishes to apply, as assessed by the Scientific Board.

Please note that the list of selected institutions is established to ensure a balance of applications between the three clusters of risks defined by the AXA Research Fund (see Modus Operandi Call for Projects, section 3.2).

Moreover, the record of applications submitted in the past by the institution is taken into account (dynamism in the previous campaign is an asset). The AXA Research Fund also wishes to give a chance to newly registered institutions.

4. When will a candidate receive the results of the first round ?

The information regarding the number of applicants will be provided at the opening of the second round.

5. Will AXA Research Fund provide the 12 research fields of the 1st round ? And when?

The online application form with these 12 research fields will be accesible on the opening day of future campaigns. The Institution Representative willing to apply for a Project campaign will have to select from 1 to 12 of the following research fields on the online form (same for PhD and Post-Doc campaigns) :

• - Biology & Biochemistry
• - Biology & Genetics
• - Economics & Business
• - Environment/Ecology
• - Geosciences
• - Immunology
• - Mathematics
• - Microbiology
• - Neuroscience & Behavior
• - Plant & animal Science
• - Psychiatry/Psychology
• - Social Sciences, General.

6. In 1st round of application process, institutions are expected to select from 1 to 12 research fields where it might submit applications. Why are there only 10 research fields listed in the eligibility section of modus operandi?

1. 8. Are institutions allowed to match AXA fundings to finance the Project?

The financial involvement of the institution in the Project is valuable and demonstrates the priority of such initiative for the long-term development strategy of the institution.

The institution is allowed to match AXA fundings with fundings from public agencies or partnering institutions (if relevant). However, private fundings (be they personal or corporate) are not recommended.

1. 9. What should be the profile of the Principal Investigator?

The project is expected to be submitted and led by a Head of department/laboratory He/she must meet the following criteria:

-          Be already established in the institution as Head of department/laboratory

-          Be of the highest caliber (publications in first-rate journals, international stature and network)

-          Have demonstrated sound capacity to lead large-scale projects

1. 10. Are consumable expenses or equipments specifically purchased for the Project eligible to funding?

Consumables and equipments may be included in the budget if they are specifically purchased for the Project. However, please be aware that:

- the AXA Research Fund considers a limited amount of requested consumables and equipments as a positive signal of the commitment of the institution towards the project

- the Scientific Board of the AXA Research Fund focuses on the scientific quality of a project. The budget of the selected projects is studied only in a second step and is discussed and negotiated on a case to case basis.

1. 11. Which costs are eligible in the budget?

The budget is expected to be coherent, well structured and consistent along with the length and the research field of the project. There are no stringent rules but recommendations are available in the Modus Operandi – Call for Projects (section 4).

1. 12. Is there a maximum amount for the budget, or a standard amount?

This year, granted budget is up to € 100.000 per year. Please keep in mind that our Scientific Board always focuses on the scientific quality of a project. The budget of the selected projects is studied only in a second step and is discussed and negotiated on a case to case basis.

1. 13. Does the AXA Research Fund favor Projects involving international networks?

International collaborations are valuable but not mandatory. The AXA Research Fund currently supports both multi-partners projects and teams in a single institution.

14. In a case of collaboration between teams based in different research institutions, how will the funds be transferred?

AXA sets up an agreement with the host institution of the Principal Investigator. This institution is in turn responsible for the breakdown of the budget between the different teams involved.

15. My application has not been selected. May I get some feedback to understand the reasons why?

We can give you some highlights of the referees and of our Scientific Board assessments for you to better understand why your application has not been selected and to improve any further application with us. As the first step of selection by the AXA Research Fund is done by the academic institution itself, all feedbacks are sent through the channel of the Operational Contact. That's why, to get this feedback, your operational contact must send us to the email address dedicated to communication with operational contacts (which, in case he/she does not know it, he/she can find in the application platform using his/her registration codes) an email entitled "Feedback Projects (year) - (Name of the applicant)". Since many of you are asking such feedback, we might need a few weeks to send it. Please note that the delay to ask feedbacks is 3 months from the day of the publication of results.