WADA calls for additional funding for scientific research to strengthen the global anti-doping system

Over the past week, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has issued an appeal to all Governments of the world, seeking additional contributions to WADA for the purpose of scientific research in anti-doping, which is crucial to securing a level playing field for athletes worldwide.  

In May 2025, WADA announced that the Ministry of Sports and Youth in Qatar had decided to make an additional contribution to the Agency of USD 1.5 million for scientific research, which was over and above Qatar’s annual contribution of more than USD 200,000. Prompted by this, in July, WADA’s Finance and Administration Committee recommended that WADA Management invite all Governments to consider making similar contributions that would advance scientific research and also help mitigate the risks created for clean sport when a Public Authority withholds payment of its annual dues.  

WADA President Witold Bańka said: “WADA invites all Governments to consider making an additional contribution for scientific research that will help us make more significant strides in strengthening the global anti-doping system. We have the opportunity to show the world that we are going further together to safeguard sport for athletes by increasing resources, innovation and impact, which will also help us bring perpetrators to account.”  

Since 2001, WADA has invested in excess of USD 90 million in research grants for more than 650 projects, which have increased the volume and diversity of research dedicated to areas such as:  

• Improving and developing new detection methods;  
• Gaining knowledge of the doping potential of certain drugs; 
• Discovering potential contaminants;  
• Promoting innovative detection methods (e.g. dried blood spot and gene doping); and  
• New approaches to reveal doping, such as the use of artificial intelligence.  

Over the years, more than 30 Governments from six continents have made additional contributions that have been used to advance WADA’s global collaborative movement for doping-free sport.  

Writing to the Governments, Mr. Bańka said: “With our research projects, we aim to ensure that the outcomes are converted into implementable improvements to the global anti-doping system. They are also essential for supporting the results management process by providing the scientific evidence needed to substantiate and defend anti-doping rule violations.   

“I am proud to say that, over the years, we have significantly expanded our global research network to include renowned scientists from institutions that might not have engaged with anti-doping science if it weren’t for our grants program – experts in the areas of artificial intelligence, genetics, endocrinology, muscle physiology and more.”