FAQ - Chairs

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

An unsuccessful institution is allowed to resubmit a proposal if the Scientific Board explicitly invites it to do so. It may happen if, according to the Scientific Board, the institution meets the standards and is likely to submit an upgraded proposal.

2. 2. Are institutions allowed to match AXA fundings to finance the Chair?

The financial involvement of the institution in the AXA Chair 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. However, private fundings (be they personal or corporate) are not recommended.

2. 3. How senior should the candidate be?

In the case of endowed distinguished permanent/visiting chairs and short-term chairs, candidates are expected to be researchers with outstanding achievements and international stature. Note that the Scientific Board pays much attention to the track record of the candidate or prospects.

In the case of endowed junior visiting chairs, candidates are expected to be tenure-track academics, i.e “rising stars”.

Please visit the granted projects webpage of the AXA Research Fund to assess the profiles of AXA Chairs selected so far by the Scientific Board.

4. Can a researcher already in place in the institution be candidate for an AXA Chair?

Distinguished Chairs, be they endowed Permanent/Visiting or fixed-term, are aimed at attracting a world-class researcher from another institution. They are not aimed at supporting a senior researcher already in place in the institution. For this purpose, the institution may apply to the funding scheme “Projects”.

Junior visiting Chairs are aimed at attracting a tenure-track academic from abroad or promoting “in house” young talents.

2. 5. Is an institution allowed to apply with no designated candidate?

A designated candidate is highly recommended since his/her track record enables the Scientific Board to assess the ambition and the scientific quality of the Chair. If the institution cannot apply with a designated candidate, it is allowed to submit a short-list of prospects it has already approached.

In any case, institutions must be confident that, should the Chair be granted by AXA, it will be set up as initially proposed (designated candidates or prospects will indeed be hired).