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UEFA Medical and Anti-Doping Research Grant Programme (UEFA MRGP)

The UEFA Medical & Anti-Doping Research Grant Programme is a grant programme aimed specifically at academics researching the performance, health, well-being and anti-doping to supporting medical and anti-doping decision-making in European football.

Programme overview

The UEFA MRGP encourages universities and scientists to develop their research into medical and health topics in European football. It is for anyone pursuing or already holding a doctorate who is analysing European football from a medical and health point of view. Once completed, the research is shared with the 55 UEFA member associations and is used for growth and development purposes.

In order to foster cooperation between its member associations and European universities, UEFA allows up to three researchers based in the territories of three different national associations to submit joint applications.

Four individual research pots of up to €30,000 are available within the UEFA Medical & Anti-Doping Research Grant Programme, for research into:

  1. Load and injury, illness or health in women’s football
  2. Load and injury, illness or health in men’s football
  3. Any football performance, medical or health-related topic
  4. Anti-doping in football

The jury decides case by case on the amount of the grant.

Contact us

Faq

  • Who Researchers holding a research position at a university, football club, national association or equivalent institution
  • When Annually. Next application deadline: 15 March 2025
  • How Long 1 year research
  • Where Research carried out at home institution
  • Grant Up to €30,000 for research into one of the following: (i) load and injury, illness or health in women’s football; (ii) load and injury, illness or health in men’s football; (iii) any football performance, medical or health-related topic; (iv) anti-doping in football.
  • Number of grants Total allocation: €120,000
  • Language English

Important dates

  • 15 Mar 2025 Application deadline 2025/26 cycle
  • 30 Jun 2025 Attribution of grants
  • 11 Feb 2026 Interim check-in on research progress
  • 31 Jul 2026 Final report deadline

Programme Outcomes

  • Opportunity for researchers to conduct their research in the best possible conditions
  • Access to both funds and data (from national associations and UEFA)
  • Gain international recognition
  • Opportunity for national associations and UEFA to access the latest research in order to further develop their own activities and projects

Roadmap

1. Application deadline 15 March 2025

Applications will only be accepted if completed (according to UEFA MRGP regulations 2025/26) and submitted via the official application form available at the top of the page. Applications can be submitted until 15 March 2025 (18:00 CET).

Application deadline
2. Grant decision 30 June 2025

Applicants are informed of the jury’s decision.

Grant decision
3. Introductory meeting July/August 2025

Introductory meeting on study proposals with granted applicants.

Introductory meeting
4. Interim check-in on progress February 2026

Researchers provide UEFA with an update on the research progress.

Interim check-in on progress
5. Final report July 2026

Researchers submit final report.

Final report
6. Presentation of final report July/August 2026

Researcher present final report and results of the project to the UEFA MRGP jury.

Presentation of final report

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY

Thor Einar Andersen
"As a previous recipient of the UEFA grant, I have been inspired both academically and professionally. The grant has facilitated further research in the field of prevention of football injuries, in particularly the preventative effect of the “Adductor Strengthening Programme” on groin problems in football players. Moreover, outcomes of the studies have been implemented at all levels of Norwegian football and in football medicine world-wide." Thor Einar Andersen Professor at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway and Chief medical officer, the Football Association of Norway
application form
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