UEFA has announced the start of applications for participation in the UEFA Research Grant Programme for the 2026/2027 season — a prestigious programme supporting scientific research in European football.

The Ukrainian Football Association promotes the dissemination of information about the programme and creates additional opportunities for researchers, encouraging them to submit research proposals for grant funding.

The programme is aimed at supporting academic research that helps improve strategic decisions in European football and fosters cooperation between national associations and the scientific community.

Within the programme, an individual grant of up to 15,000 euros (up to 20,000 euros — for joint international applications) is available.

Priority is given to research focusing on how relative age effect, biological maturation rates, and mixed training models interact and influence physical development trajectories, reaction to training loads, and long-term development in youth football.

At the same time, UEFA considers other topics relevant to the development of football:

— economics;

— management;

— law;

— political sciences;

— psychology;

— sociology;

— history.

UAF invites researchers, scholars, university representatives, and sports analysts to join the grant programme. The programme is oriented towards those who are pursuing a PhD degree or already have one and are conducting research on European football within various academic disciplines.

The most promising proposals will be supported by UAF for submission to the UEFA Research Grant Programme.

More about the programme — click here.

Selection Criteria

Candidates eligible to participate must have a PhD degree and currently hold a research position in a university (or equivalent institution) or are PhD graduates from a university (or equivalent institution) working on their doctoral dissertation, and also have a recommendation letter from a national association — UEFA member, signed by the president or general secretary/CEO.

Applications and final reports must be prepared in one of the official languages of UEFA — English, French, or German.

To submit your research idea, contact [email protected].

Deadline for submission — March 15.

Application deadline to UEFA — March 31 inclusive.