World Anti-Doping Agency Scientific Research Grants

Established in 1999, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is an international independent agency responsible for combatting doping in sport. Its key activities include scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities and monitoring of the World Anti-Doping Code.

WADA is committed to increasing research that is dedicated to developing new and improved detection methods for prohibited substances and methods, and to studying emerging doping threats (eg gene doping). WADA therefore issues an annual call for research proposals under the Scientific Research Grants scheme. Application is open to scientists worldwide who address research topics prioritised by WADA’s Health, Medical and Research Committee.

For the 2021 call, the Committee has identified relevant areas of research in the field of anti-doping, and in particular those related to the 2021 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods. Higher priority will be granted to proposals addressing:

Detection or improvement of eptide/protein hormones and other growth factors.

Improved window of detection for prohibited substances/methods.

Thresholds or limits to distinguish permitted from prohibited use, and natural sources versus intended use or presence in food residues.

Detection of autologous blood transfusion.

The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), including new biomarkers of doping or confounding factors relevant to the hematological, steroidal or endocrine modules.

Selected certified reference material synthesis.

Proposals should address the following:

Detection of doping substances/methods: methodologies in analytical chemistry.

Detection of doping substances/methods: affinity-binding and biochemical methodologies.

Pharmacological studies on doping substances/methods.

The Athlete Biological Passport (APB).

Detection of doping substances/methods: molecular biology, ‘omics’ and miscellaneous methodologies.

WADA gives high priority to projects with direct and imminent applicability (including human studies if applicable) in the fight against doping in sport. Applicants are encouraged to propose translational research beyond the discovery stage. Projects should aim to attain concrete deliverables by the end of the funding period.

Applicants should be suitably qualified researchers with access to relevant research facilities. Applicants may be based in any country. No minimum or maximum funding levels are stated by the funder.

Applications must be submitted by the deadline of 1 March 2021 (24:00 GMT).

More information about this research funding opportunity and the application process is available on the RESEARCHconnect funding information platform. RESEARCHconnect provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on research funding news and policy. To find out more about how RESEARCHconnect can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.