TIP 1: Matching our Selection Criteria
Academic excellence of the candidate: here we mean track record, in
terms of impact even more than volume; excellence of the previous host
institution(s); and, of course, stature and quality of the
recommendation letters.
Innovative nature and
originality of the project: reviewers highly value applications showing
commanding knowledge of relevant literature; originality both in the research
hypothesis and in the methodology used to test it. Naturally, demonstrating a
contribution to a better understanding of important hazards and risks, or
current global societal challenges is the core of what we are looking for.
International scope of the
host research laboratory: we look at rankings, bibliometrics, and also at
peer-reviewed recognition. We value both labs that are global leaders and labs
that are on a dynamic growth path. The quality of the facilities and
attractiveness to international students and researchers – both junior and
senior – is a good way to demonstrate these traits), as is the international
exposure of the project/lab director.
Feasibility of the project:
Quality of the environment (Postdoctoral program, supervision); Project
framework (macro-planning, budget); Quality of the preliminary work and access
to needed equipment, field studies, data and so on.
TIP 2: Demonstrating
Exciting Innovation
As you know, the innovative nature of the research projects is very important to us – and we’ll try and favor “high risk/high gain” projects over more pedestrian, albeit productive, approaches. We believe that this is a quality of the applicant more than of the application so we’ll look both at the question asked and at previous research demonstrating creativity and innovative potential.
As you know, the innovative nature of the research projects is very important to us – and we’ll try and favor “high risk/high gain” projects over more pedestrian, albeit productive, approaches. We believe that this is a quality of the applicant more than of the application so we’ll look both at the question asked and at previous research demonstrating creativity and innovative potential.
TIP 3: Helping Young Researchers’
Mobility.
We believe that it is crucial for young researchers to gather an international network and be exposed to various research environments in the early stage of their career. Hence we value applicants who already had an international exposure or, even more, whom we will help to build one. Our definition of international exposure goes as following:
-at least a semester spent abroad during doctoral studies or planned/previous post-doctoral positions. International exposure during master degree or undergraduate studies is much less relevant as they seldom lead to the nurturing of a strong research network.
-of course, as research is international by nature, the nationality of the applicant is not our basis for assessing international mobility.
We believe that it is crucial for young researchers to gather an international network and be exposed to various research environments in the early stage of their career. Hence we value applicants who already had an international exposure or, even more, whom we will help to build one. Our definition of international exposure goes as following:
-at least a semester spent abroad during doctoral studies or planned/previous post-doctoral positions. International exposure during master degree or undergraduate studies is much less relevant as they seldom lead to the nurturing of a strong research network.
-of course, as research is international by nature, the nationality of the applicant is not our basis for assessing international mobility.
TIP 4: Our Starting Grants are for Junior
Researchers
The length of the time scale between PhD defense and Post-Doctoral applications projects should not exceed 5 years, except if a specific reason (illness, for instance) is involved. For more experienced candidates, our other schemes will be more relevant.
The length of the time scale between PhD defense and Post-Doctoral applications projects should not exceed 5 years, except if a specific reason (illness, for instance) is involved. For more experienced candidates, our other schemes will be more relevant.
TIP 5: Helping Research to Impact/Interact with
Policy-Making
Please encourage the applicant to highlight the contribution of his/her research to the discipline and, to a greater extent, to the understanding/ modeling/ mitigation/prevention of major risks and global challenges. The AXA Research Fund wants to better help its supported researchers to have a voice in the public debate and nurture it with the most advanced scientific discoveries. Any proof of the potential of the applicant to bring his research subject to the global table is mostly welcomed!
Please encourage the applicant to highlight the contribution of his/her research to the discipline and, to a greater extent, to the understanding/ modeling/ mitigation/prevention of major risks and global challenges. The AXA Research Fund wants to better help its supported researchers to have a voice in the public debate and nurture it with the most advanced scientific discoveries. Any proof of the potential of the applicant to bring his research subject to the global table is mostly welcomed!
TIP 6: Great Recommendation(s) are key
The recommendation letter should first and forehand prove the potential of the applicant. It can also demonstrate the robustness of the research project and its alignment with the strategy of the host institution/lab. It gives also the opportunity to provide us with insights regarding the quality of the environment in which the research project will be conducted in terms of equipment, expertise of the host laboratory, and its international scope.
The recommendation letter should first and forehand prove the potential of the applicant. It can also demonstrate the robustness of the research project and its alignment with the strategy of the host institution/lab. It gives also the opportunity to provide us with insights regarding the quality of the environment in which the research project will be conducted in terms of equipment, expertise of the host laboratory, and its international scope.
More details of the 2013 Round will be posted here on, or soon after, 17 January 2013, when AXA expects to make a formal announcement.
Please stay tuned.
