World Rugby Calls For 2025 Rugby Player Welfare Research Funding Applications

World Rugby has launched its 2025 call for applications to fund rugby player welfare research projects as the federation continues to fund rugby-specific research to ensure that the game remains at the forefront of player welfare.

World Rugby said these “research grants are focused on specific player welfare topics where a broader base of research is required.”

World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin explained: “World Rugby remains the major funder of rugby-specific academic research in the world. Whilst more independent funding would undoubtedly be welcome, we have a responsibility as an international federation to learn all we can about the best way to look after our players at all levels of the game.

In the past few years, World Rugby-funded research has led to groundbreaking changes in the sport such as the addition of smart mouthguards to the HIA process and our ongoing work on a lower legal tackle height in community rugby.”

What Rugby Player Welfare Research Funding Is Supported in 2025?

For the 2025 application cycle, World Rugby has added specific research questions in anti-doping, namely:

• Does knowledge retention of anti-doping education in elite junior male and female rugby players differ when education is delivered online versus face-to-face?
• In elite junior male and female rugby players, what is the association between player perceptions of body image and self-reported behaviours in relation to consumption of medications, supplements, and substances on the World Anti-doping Agency Prohibited List?
• How effective is World Rugby’s nutritional supplements education at changing knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions in relation to supplement consumption and use of food alternatives among elite junior male and female rugby players?

World Rugby Is Looking To Support research in:  

• Concussion
• Injury surveillance and prevention at all levels of the game
• Player welfare research in women’s rugby
• Transgender participation
• Anti-doping
• Mental health and substance abuse
• Long-term health consequences of rugby participation

How To Apply For World Rugby Welfare Funding Research

World Rugby CEO added, “I would encourage any academic or group of academics with ambitions of conducting rugby-specific research to consider applying for our research grants. Player welfare will remain World Rugby’s number one priority and we look forward to partnering with academic institutions around the world to advance our collective knowledge and ensure we never stand still in this space.”

Those interested in submitting proposals to World Rugby in addressing anti-doping research questions should indicate the research question in their application title.

Applications for funding can be made via World Rugby’s funding application portal and must be received by 14 April 2025 to be considered for the 2025 cycle.

Guidance is provided on applying for World Rugby funding.

World Rugby also invites tenders for more targeted projects identified by its medical working groups as priorities for research. Calls for tender for these projects will be publicised as they are identified.

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