World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA): Research Programme

For 2025, the HMRC has identified relevant areas of research in the field of anti-doping; in particular, those related to the 2024 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods.

It should be noted that higher priority will be granted to proposals addressing:

 Detection/improvement of detection/quantification of peptide and protein hormones and growth factors, preferably by, but not limited to, chromatography-mass spectrometric methods;

 Improved window (retrospectivity) of detection of prohibited substances/methods (e.g., detection of new longterm metabolites including administration studies, improved methodologies of detection, analyte multiplexing);

 Pharmacokinetic studies to establish thresholds or minimum reporting levels of prohibited substances or their metabolites (e.g., beta-2 agonists, stimulants) to distinguish permitted (e.g., out-of-competition or route) from prohibited use, natural sources vs. intended use or presence in food residues;

 Detection of autologous blood transfusion, including validation of candidate biomarkers or molecular/cellular/subcellular signatures;

 The Athlete Biological Passport (e.g., new biomarkers of doping or confounding factors relevant to the hematological, steroidal or endocrine [markers of growth hormone] modules); and

 Selected Certified Reference Material synthesis (please consult WADA for materials needed).

Funding: not mentioned. No overhead.

https://www.wada-ama.org/en/news/wada-launches-call-proposals-2025-scientific-research-grants