14 July 2025 – In the framework of the eleventh edition of the Advanced Olympic Research Grant Programme, the IOC Olympic Studies Centre (OSC) has selected seven research projects, underlining their academic quality and significance with respect to the priority fields of research identified by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The Advanced Olympic Research Grant recipients and their projects are:
1. Supporting elite female athlete health needs: how does policy play out in practice?
Research group: BOWES, Alison (PI 11), PIASECKI, Jessica (PI 2), COEN, Stephanie and PARSONS, Joanne – Nottingham Trent University (UK)
2. Investigating policies, programs and practices to enhance gender equity in leadership, decision-making, coaching and officiating within and through Olympic sports in Oceania.
Research group: MAXWELL, Hazel (PI), DOROVOLOMO, Jeremy, O’SHEA, Michelle, REIS, Arianne and GRAINGER, Andrew – Western Sydney University (AUS)
3. Identifying Priorities, Pathways and Gaps in the Promotion of Gender Equity, the Freedom to Play and Safe and Socially Inclusive Spaces Through the Study of Community-Led Skate Projects and Skateboarding in the Olympics
Researcher: WILLING, Indigo – The University of Sydney (AUS)
4. The KLABU Clubhouse Life Cycle strategy: Exploring social innovation and capacity building in sport-for-development and peace
Research group: MCSWEENEY, Mitchell (PI) and WHITLEY, Meredith – University of Minnesota (USA)
5. FIDES CEP: Optimisation, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Coach Education Program for Improved Coaching of Female Athletes
Research group: TORSTVEIT, Monica K. (PI) and SOLSTAD, Bärd Erlend – University of Agder (NOR)
6. Whistleblowing as a means of strengthening safe sport within the Olympic movement
Research group: TONER, John (PI), NICHOLLS, Adam and TOWLSON, Chris – University of Hull (UK)
7. Empowering young elite athletes: advancing voice and participation in the Olympic movement through children’s rights
Research group: YILMAZ, Serhat (PI), RHIND, Daniel J.A. MASON, Carolyne and TAK, Minhyeok – Loughborough University (UK)
Background of the programme and selection process
The main objective of the Advanced Olympic Research Grant Programme is to promote advanced humanities or social sciences research by experienced researchers in priority fields of research identified by the IOC, and to foster the collaboration between the academic community and the IOC. University professors, lecturers and research fellows who have completed their doctorate and who currently hold an academic/research appointment covering the period of the grant are eligible to apply.
Find the programme’s rules, guidelines and the full description of the selection process here.
When is the next edition?
This programme is organised every other year. The next edition (2027/2029) of the Advanced Olympic Research Grant Programme will be launched in October 2026, with an application deadline in February 2027. The relevant documents will be available on our website.
Other grant opportunities
All current postgraduate students enrolled in a PhD degree programme within the human and/or social sciences encompassing Olympism, the Olympic Movement or the Olympic Games as, at least, one of their research foci and academic staff members and postdoctoral fellows who have completed their doctorate or equivalent highest degree in or after 2023, are eligible to apply to the PhD Students and Early Career Academic Research Grant Programme.
The call for applications for the 2026 edition is now open, and the deadline for submitting applications is 22 September 2025.
Our unique collection of resources to assist your research
We invite you to discover the Olympic World Library (OWL), the OSC’s library catalogue entirely dedicated to Olympic knowledge, giving access to over 42,000 official and academic titles, of which over 15,000 are accessible in digital format. Key collections include Olympic Games Official reports, Candidature Files, Olympic Review, Olympic Charters, the OSC Reference Collection and the ZOOM IN pages on important topics.
You will also find an overview of the IOC historical archives.
For more information on The IOC Olympic Studies Centre, its resources, services and research grant programmes, visit our website or contact studies.centre@olympic.org.
