UEFA research grant programme making strides

UEFA's involvement with the academic community has intensified in recent years.

European football's governing body has launched initiatives whereby research activities aim to provide the game on this continent with the elements to help take even more effective decisions.

A major initiative set under way by UEFA is the UEFA research grant programme which underlines the organisation's commitment to supporting doctoral and post-doctoral work being undertaken by researchers investigating European football.

"UEFA's core mission is to develop European football at all levels of the game and promote the principles of unity and solidarity," said UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino. "Therefore, by shedding new light on football and the myriad of ways it interrelates with society as a whole, quality research can help UEFA fulfil its mission."

Under the scheme, research proposals may be submitted to a UEFA research grant jury, comprising representatives of the continental football family and academics known internationally for their work linked to the European game. The proposals can come from areas such as economics, history, law, management, political science and sociology.

The research grant jury will be meeting this week to review proposals that have been submitted. Forty applications have been made, and the jury will choose up to five proposals.

In particular, UEFA encourages proposals focusing on governance and regulation in European football; specificity and autonomy of sport; challenges facing professional football such as illegal betting, doping and corruption; women's football; grassroots and amateur football; and youth development and movement of players.

"The UEFA research grant programme is an excellent opportunity to encourage the work of both prominent and aspiring researchers working within this field," said Mr Infantino.