World Rugby opens 2026 player welfare research funding applications
- 2026 applications to be submitted by May 1st
- World Rugby remains the major funder of rugby specific academic research in the world
- Key topics of interest include concussion, the women’s game and player welfare
World Rugby has launched the 2026 player welfare research grant funding application round. The international federation funds rugby specific research to ensure that the game remains at the forefront of player welfare, advancing knowledge for the benefit of the whole of the game.
World Rugby remains the major funder of rugby specific research anywhere in the world. Research grants are focused on specific player welfare topics where a broader base of research is required.
The full list of topics where World Rugby is most interested in supporting research remains broadly unchanged for 2026 although a focus on knee injuries in the women’s game has been added following discussions at the 2026 Shape of the Game meeting.
The areas of interest are:
- Concussion
- Injury surveillance and prevention at all levels of the game
- Player welfare research in women’s rugby and knee injuries in particular
- Transgender participation
- Anti-doping
- Mental health and substance abuse
- Long-term health consequences of rugby participation
Applications for funding can be made via World Rugby’s funding application portal and must be received by 1st May to be considered for the 2026 cycle. Interested applicants should review the guidance provided on applying to World Rugby for funding here.
The 2026 funding call will also see an updated application process from previous years. The Initial application has been replaced with an expression of interest template, in which applicants should prepare a short and targeted overview of the project as well as summaries of what is currently known about the topic area and how the project will expand this and influence player welfare practice or policy in rugby union.
Complete submissions are sent for review by independent academic experts that form World Rugby’s Scientific Committee. The Scientific Committee will consider several factors when assessing expressions of interest such as the project’s novelty, scientific merit, and capability to advance World Rugby’s player welfare mandates. Selected submissions will be invited to submit a more detailed proposal later in the year, and final decisions on funding awards will be confirmed at the end of 2026.
The list of published papers resulting from World Rugby funding can be read here with funded projects back to 2014 available here.
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said: "World Rugby continues to be the major funder of rugby specific academic research in the world. It is World Rugby research which has led to recommending a lower tackle height become law in community rugby and smart mouthguards as part of the HIA in our elite game.
“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 is at the heart of everything World Rugby does and we look forward to partnering with academic institutions around the world to advance our collective knowledge.”
