2 Fußbälle liegen im Tor.

DFB encourages researchers to apply for the UEFA research grant programme

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We support applications for the UEFA RGP by reviewing project ideas for practical value and providing letters of recommendation. 

UEFA Academy annually awards a number of grants with two programmes:

The UEFA RGP is a prestigious grant programme designed for academics working in partnership with national associations to deliver research that improves strategic decision-making in European football. UEFA Research Grant Programme (UEFA RGP) - UEFA Academy

The UEFA MRGP is a specific grant programme designed for academics working on performance, health, well-being and anti-doping research that supports medical and anti-doping decision-making in European football. UEFA Medical Research Grant Programme (UEFA MRGP) - UEFA Academy

All research projects regarding the UEFA RGP must be supported by a national association by means of a letter of recommendation. In order to receive a letter of recommendation from the DFB, the UEFA requirements must be met and the research project must be approved by the DFB.

  1. Who: Researchers at a university or equivalent institution AND have a letter of support from a UEFA member association.

    Fields & topics: 

    • Economics
    • History
    • Law
    • Management
    • Political Science
    • Psychology
    • Sociology

    • Priority topic: how do relative age, maturation and mixed training models interact to influence physical development pathways, training responsiveness and long‑term athlete development in youth football.

    How long: 9 months research

    Grant: Up to 15.000€ (joint grant of up to 20.000€)

    Languages: English, French or German

    Application deadline DFB: 28 February 2026

    Application deadline UEFA: 31 March 2026

  2. Who: Researchers holding a research position at a university, football club, national association or equivalent institution

    Fields & topics: 

    • Medical or health in women’s football
    • Medical or health in men’s football
    • Medical or health in support staff working football
    • Anti-doping with a social science perspective
    • Anti-doping with a natural science perspective

    How long: 1 year research

    Grant: Up to 30.000€

    Language: English

    Application deadline DFB: No letter of recommendation needed. We encourage researchers to discuss their project ideas for practical value.

    Application deadline UEFA: 2 March 2026

Ein seitliche Aufnahme eines Fußballtores, vor dem viele Bälle liegen.

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Applications for a letter of recommendation from the DFB must be submitted by email to Research@dfb.de, along with a one-page executive summary.

The one-page executive summary must mention:

  • the justification for the research (contribution to national associations and European football in general, specifying how they will particularly benefit from the research and why)
  • the research question(s) and hypothesis(-es)
  • the planned methodology
  • the total financial contribution expected

Current topics

Please note that the DFB (division National Teams & Akademie) is currently working on the following topics. We would be happy to see these topics addressed.

  • Decision-making in football is a crucial factor to achieve peak performance. The specific definitions and applications to football remain fuzzy though. This research stream aims to further understand the underlying processes, influencing factors, and applied interventions within the “assess-train-develop” triad across a footballer’s life span.  

  • Contextualisation of female health in professional football: For too long, we have applied training principles based on male players and transferred these insights directly to female players. Future projects are aimed to educate and empower players, coaches, and support staff on how to optimally train women as women, ensuring health, wellbeing, and performance of female players. A special focus should be placed on the broad spectrum of female‑specific health factors that influence participation and performance, including but not limited to the menstrual cycle.

  • The focus of youth development in football has primarily been on technical skills, overlooking the cultivation of essential character traits that underpin long-term performance. Future projects should therefore aim to strengthen evidence-based approaches to fostering resilience, teamwork, leadership, and responsibility in young players. Particular focus should be given to understanding how social and emotional growth interacts with football-specific skills. By nurturing both individual character traits and collective team behaviour, development environments can be created that support long-term success and the holistic well-being of players.

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