AXA New Gen 2026 — Responsible Nature-Based Solutions for a Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Future

Who can apply

• Universities registered with the World Higher Education Database (WHED)
• Eligible higher education institutions registered with WHED
• Public research organisations, including qualifying national research institutes
• Eligible institutions nominating outstanding early-career postdoctoral researchers
• Researchers who completed their PhD within the programme's five-year eligibility period
• Researchers who do not hold permanent, tenured or tenure-track positions
• Researchers with strong academic achievements and demonstrated research potential
• Researchers proposing innovative and transdisciplinary Nature-Based Solutions research
• Researchers supported by an eligible host institution willing to submit their application

Focus areas

• Responsible Nature-Based Solutions
• Climate change adaptation and resilience
• Disaster risk reduction
• Flood resilience and ecosystem-based protection
• Drought resilience
• Human security and environmental risks
• Food security under climate stress
• Water security and sustainable water-resource management
• Wetland, forest and landscape restoration
• Sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management
• Urban green and blue-green infrastructure
• Climate-resilient urban planning
• Health and wellbeing benefits of Nature-Based Solutions
• Social cohesion and cultural dimensions of ecosystems
• Economic valuation of Nature-Based Solutions
• Innovative environmental financing models
• Governance of Nature-Based Solutions
• Environmental justice and social inclusion
• Protection of Indigenous and community rights
• Land rights and prevention of environmental displacement
• Equitable access to ecosystem benefits
• Inclusive environmental policy and decision-making
• Integration of ecological and socioeconomic research

Requirements

• The application must be submitted through an eligible university, higher education institution or public research organisation.
• Universities and higher education institutions must be registered with the World Higher Education Database (WHED).
• The host institution must be registered on the AXA Foundation application platform.
• Each host institution may nominate only one candidate across the entire institution.
• Researchers cannot submit Expressions of Interest independently.
• Candidates must already have completed and defended their PhD before submitting the Expression of Interest.
• For the 2026 call, candidates must have defended their PhD within the five years preceding 10 October 2026.
• The Foundation permits an additional six months of eligibility per child to account for maternity or paternity leave.
• Candidates must not hold a permanent, tenured or tenure-track academic position.
• Candidates must demonstrate academic excellence through relevant research outputs, activities and impact.
• The research must address responsible Nature-Based Solutions and contribute to resilience, sustainability or inclusion.
• The proposed project must demonstrate scientific originality, innovation and potential to advance the research field.
• The research must demonstrate a transdisciplinary approach involving relevant academic disciplines and/or meaningful collaboration with societal partners.
• Eligible societal partners may include public authorities, communities, civil society organisations and practitioners.
• Private for-profit companies are not eligible as project partners under this call.
• The proposed research must be an independent project requiring full-time commitment, with up to 20% of working time permitted for teaching.
• The requested budget must not exceed €140,000 over two years.
• Institutional overhead costs are not eligible.
• The researcher must comply with applicable research ethics and integrity requirements.
• Selected researchers must follow open-science principles and make research findings openly accessible.
• The initial Expression of Interest must include a candidate CV of no more than two pages.
• The initial research project description must not exceed 3,000 characters, including spaces.
• Applications must be submitted in English.
• Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

Application steps

• Review the official AXA New Gen 2026 Application Guidelines.
• Confirm that the proposed research fits the Responsible Nature-Based Solutions theme.
• Identify an eligible university or public research organisation willing to host and nominate the researcher.
• Confirm that the proposed candidate meets the PhD completion and employment eligibility requirements.
• Obtain the host institution's internal approval and nomination.
• Confirm that the institution has not already nominated another candidate for this funding round.
• Check whether the host institution is registered on the AXA Foundation application platform.
• If not registered, arrange institutional registration by 3 November 2026 at 4:00 PM CET.
• Contact the institution's designated Operational Contact responsible for submitting AXA funding applications.
• Prepare the candidate's short CV of no more than two pages.
• Prepare a research project title and description of no more than 3,000 characters, including spaces.
• Explain the project's research question, originality, transdisciplinary approach and expected contribution.
• Identify proposed academic or societal partners and describe their anticipated roles.
• Provide the candidate's personal and academic details, including birth date, PhD defence date and current institutional affiliation.
• The host institution's Operational Contact must log in to the AXA Foundation online application platform.
• Open the Application section and select the Post Doc Expression of Interest.
• Complete the online Expression of Interest and attach the required candidate CV.
• Submit the Expression of Interest by 12 November 2026 at 4:00 PM CET.
• Check for the official email confirming submission.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a full research proposal.
• Shortlisted candidates must prepare a detailed research programme, budget, publication list and required supporting letters.
• The invited full application must be submitted by 17 December 2026 at 4:00 PM CET.
• Final selection results are expected in June 2027.