Two-year grants will support early career researchers developing transdisciplinary approaches to environmental and social challenges.

The AXA Foundation for Human Progress New Gen Scheme is inviting proposals for research on responsible nature-based solutions under its 2026 theme: ‘Responsible Nature-Based Solutions for a Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Future’.

The scheme aims to support transformative, transdisciplinary research addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and social inequality. Projects should generate knowledge and practical approaches that strengthen resilience, sustainability and inclusion, with relevance for policymakers, practitioners and civil society.

Priority areas include: disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation and human security through ecosystem protection and restoration; food and water security under climate stress; urban transformation through green and blue-green infrastructure; and the effects of nature-based solutions on health, wellbeing and social cohesion. Other areas include economic and financial models for evaluating and scaling such approaches, as well as governance, social justice and equitable access to their benefits.

Projects may operate at local, regional or global scales. They must involve collaboration across disciplines, potentially including the social sciences, humanities, economics, environmental sciences, engineering and technology. Applicants must also engage societal partners such as public authorities, communities, civil society organisations or practitioners.

Applications may be submitted by universities and other higher education institutions in any country, provided they are registered with the World Higher Education Database (WHED), and by public research organisations. Institutions may nominate one candidate for the entire organisation.

Candidates must have completed their PhD within the previous five years and must not hold a permanent or tenure-track academic post. They should demonstrate a strong record of research outputs, activities and impact.

Fellowships provide up to €140,000 for two years. Selected projects are expected to begin before June 2028.

There is a two-stage application process consisting of a mandatory Expression of Interest (EoI) proposal followed by an invited full application.