Call for applications: 2026/27 research grants supporting strategy, player welfare and integrity
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
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Researchers across the world can apply to two of UEFA's research grant programmes, offering up to €245,000 in funding to advance knowledge, strengthen decision-making and protect player health across European football.
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The UEFA Academy has opened applications for both the UEFA Research Grant Programme (UEFA RGP) and the UEFA Medical & Anti Doping Research Grant Programme (UEFA MRGP), with application deadlines in March. These programmes reflect our long-standing commitment to developing the game, enhancing performance and safeguarding the well-being of everyone involved in football.
We encourage research that addresses topics of high relevance to our member associations, giving them the freedom to support projects that meet their strategic priorities. Both grant programmes ensure that football organisations can rely on sound academic evidence to inform their decision-making. The overarching aim is to generate impactful, translatable knowledge that strengthens evidence-based practices across European football.
Two programmes, one purpose: progress through evidence
The UEFA Research Grant Programme (UEFA RGP) supports non-medical research that informs strategic and operational decisions in the game.
- Funding: up to €15,000 (individual) / €20,000 (joint)
- Research fields: Economics, History, Law, Management, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Sport Science
- Priority topic (for one of the grants): Physical development pathways in youth football
- Deadline: 31 March 2026 (17:00 CET)
- Requires a support letter from a UEFA member association
The UEFA Medical & Anti Doping Research Grant Programme (UEFA MRGP) backs research that enhances player health, performance and integrity.
- Funding: Five awards of up to €30,000 each
- Research award fields: Women’s football health, men’s football health, support staff health, antidoping (social science), antidoping (natural science)
- Deadline: 2 March 2026 (17:00 CET)
Both programmes are delivered through the UEFA Academy, with full regulations and application portals available online.
A proven track record of impact
Past projects have supported UEFA’s knowledge and best practices in areas such as:
- Concussion and heading safety
- Coach mental health
- Diversity in women’s teams
- Injury prevention strategies
- Grassroots volunteering
- Referee abuse and training cultures
Medical research funded by UEFA has contributed to widely adopted injury prevention programmes and informed initiatives like the Concussion Charter and youth heading guidelines.
Why it matters
These grant programmes reinforce our commitment to player welfare, integrity, innovation and collaboration. By partnering with academics and national associations, we aim to ensure that research translates into real-world improvements across the European football ecosystem.