On 18 February 2026, the AXA Foundation for Human Progress took part in the Paris-Saclay Summit – Choose Science at Centrale Supélec, reaffirming our commitment to science and evidence-based decision-making. This third edition was a great success, featuring 130 French and international speakers from over 20 countries, more than 5,000 unique visitors, 25,000 conference bookings, and 37,300 live connections.
For us at the AXA Foundation for Human Progress, this strong engagement underscores the importance of open and evidence-based dialogue, more vital than ever, to defend science against rising anti-science narratives and to shape ambitious, long-term research agendas in public interest.
Advancing Brain Science to Protect Lives
Our first contribution highlighted how cutting-edge neuroscience can help protect lives in high-risk environments. Clément Rouxel, General Delegate of the AXA Foundation for Human Progress, joined cognitive scientist Prof. Frédéric Dehais (ISAE-SUPAERO) for a conference titled “From Air Crashes to Operating Rooms: How Brain Science Saves Lives.”
Together, they explored how a deeper understanding of human attention, cognitive overload, and decision-making under stress can reduce human error in high‑risk environments such as aviation and surgery.
[Inserer photo et lien au replay]
By supporting research at the intersection of neuroscience, engineering, and safety, we help turn cutting-edge science into practical solutions that strengthen safety systems and better protect both professionals and the public.
Rethinking How We Finance Scientific Ambition
Later in the day, Eloi Astier, Scientific Philanthropy Partnerships Manager at the AXA Foundation for Human Progress, took part in a high-level roundtable on “Enterprises, Philanthropy, Public Authorities, Europe: How to Finance France’s Scientific Ambition?”
Alongside representatives from CNRS and the ANR, the discussion focused on how private foundations, public funding, and European programs can better align to support bold, long-term research.
Three priorities emerged:
Providing multi-year, flexible funding so researchers can take risks and explore breakthrough ideas.
Strengthening collaboration between public institutions, companies, and philanthropy to scale solutions faster.
Ensuring research serves the public interest, with a strong focus on prevention, resilience, and inclusion.
Through these strategic discussions, we reaffirmed our role as a committed partner to the scientific community in France and Europe.
Sharing Insights and Continuing the Conversation
Replays of these sessions are available below:
Clément Rouxel in discussion with our AXA Chair, Frederic Dehais - 10:15-10:50
From plane crash to operating room: how brain science saves lives – in French
Watch online on Youtube
Eloi Astier with speakers from the CNRS Foundation and the ANR - 16:30-17:30
Businesses, sponsorship, public authorities, Europe: how to finance French scientific ambition? - in French
Watch online on Youtube
We will continue to support ambitious research, foster dialogue between science and society, and advocate for funding models that enable impactful science to deliver long-term benefits for all.