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When the worlds of science and football collide, breakthroughs happen. Research is the playbook for understanding the challenges faced by all actors of the game we love.
For this reason, UEFA are supporting football research with two grant opportunities: the 15th cycle of the UEFA Research Grant Programme (UEFA RGP) and the second cycle of the UEFA Medical Research Grant Programme (UEFA MRGP) for the 2024/25 season.
The two programmes are part of the UEFA Academy, a hub dedicated to providing professional people working in football opportunities for development through a range of educational initiatives.
Collaboration with national associations
What sets our grant programmes apart is the emphasis on collaboration. Every researcher’s proposal must be accompanied by a letter of support from a national football association (mandatory for the UEFA RGP, strongly encouraged for the UEFA MRGP), indicating close cooperation with a UEFA member.
This isn’t just about academics submitting proposals; it’s a rallying call for teamwork between national football associations and the academic community.
This approach is vital to support research projects focusing on topics that are highly relevant to our member associations. There are no priority topics, the idea being to give the associations free rein to decide on the projects that interest them among a wide range of academic disciplines such as economics, history, law, management, political science, psychology and sociology.
Researchers in the medical field can apply to the dedicated UEFA Medical Research Grant Programme. A total fund of €60,000 per cycle is available, with €30,000 allocated to general research and €30,000 specifically dedicated to women’s football research. Research proposals can be submitted either in the field of football medicine, football performance, or football impact.
UEFA Research Grant Programme: A legacy of success
Launched in 2009, the UEFA Research Grant Programme has become a cornerstone for pioneering research projects dedicated to elevating strategic decision-making in European football. The 2023/24 cycle witnessed a positive response, with 36 research proposals supported by 19 member associations. This growing interest underscores the increasing recognition of academic contributions in shaping the future of football.
Tom Webb, senior lecturer in sports management and development, University of Portsmouth, England, said, “The grant enabled me to engage with UEFA and the French and Dutch football associations as part of my research, facilitating important findings into referee abuse, experience and training in different cultures and countries. Developing an under-researched subject area and furthering academic and professional understanding have been central to the grant programme and my research.”
UEFA Medical Research Grant Programme: Elevating player health
Simultaneously, UEFA is launching the second cycle of the UEFA Medical Research Grant Programme for the 2024/25 season. This initiative aims to advance medical research within football, focusing on enhancing the health and well-being of athletes and contributing to a broader understanding of sports medicine.
Thor Einar Andersen, professor at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway, and chief medical officer at the Football Association of Norway, said, “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 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 worldwide.”
