Social Science Research Grant Program

The Social Science Research Grant Program administered by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) supports innovative research that aligns with the agency’s overarching goal of promoting clean sport. WADA plays a global leadership role in anti-doping efforts and coordinates scientific, behavioral, and policy-based research to better understand and combat doping in sports. The 2026 Social Science Grant Program reflects WADA’s 2025–2029 Social Science Research Strategy and prioritizes behavioral research that helps prevent doping and supports athletes and support personnel through evidence-based programs and policies. This grant program is structured into three funding tiers. Tier 1 targets large-scale international studies with substantial policy impacts and budgets between $75,000 and $150,000. Tier 2 supports national or multi-sport studies, with budgets ranging from $20,000 to $75,000. Tier 3 is reserved for smaller-scale or pilot projects with budgets under $20,000, typically conducted by early-career researchers or those operating in underrepresented regions. All applicants must apply through WADA’s online system (WADA Grants) by submitting a full application including project summaries, literature reviews, research designs, ethics safeguards, budgets, and letters of support from anti-doping organizations (ADOs). Applications are assessed against strict criteria including alignment with WADA’s six research priority areas based on a socio-ecological model. These include the athlete’s pathway and experience, clean sport behaviors, the role of athlete support personnel, education program effectiveness, anti-doping policy impact, and broader sport and societal influences. Proposals are evaluated for scientific merit, significance, feasibility, researcher qualifications, and dissemination plans. Specific emphasis is placed on policy and program relevance, ethical oversight, and integration of stakeholders such as ADOs and athletes. The application review process is rigorous and multi-layered. It begins with administrative review by WADA’s Education Department, followed by independent peer review for Tiers 1 and 2. The Social Science Research Expert Advisory Group (SSREAG) then synthesizes all feedback and submits funding recommendations to WADA’s Education Committee. Final investment decisions are made by the WADA Executive Committee. Successful applicants must execute a formal research agreement and comply with specific budgetary policies including limits on indirect costs and ineligible items such as computers. The 2026 application window opens on September 15, 2025, and closes at 11:55 p.m. UTC on November 24, 2025. Final decisions will be communicated by April 2026. The program is expected to recur annually, and WADA encourages early submission to streamline evaluation timelines. Projects involving human subjects must include ethics committee approval before receiving funding. Questions may be directed to ssr@wada-ama.org. Additional program details and updates are available via the WADA website.

Demonstrate alignment with WADA research priorities and add value beyond previous projects; include athlete and ADO partnerships; ensure methodological rigor and policy relevance