The PCC has supported world-class research since 2008, spending tens of millions of dollars to support novel science. Research and grant-making are the foundation of the PCC and are the focus of everyday business activity. The PCC-supported research contributes to a movement in addressing doping’s root causes and ultimately decreasing the use of performance-enhancing drugs by all participants in all sports at all levels of play.

With an emphasis on original work that focuses on improving existing analytical methods for detecting particular drugs, developing new analytical methods to test for substances not currently detectable, and discovering cost-​effective approaches for testing widely abused substances across all levels of sport, the following areas of investigation reflect the PCC’s current research priorities:

• Developing methods of cost-effective testing to detect and deter the use of banned and illegal substances.

• Developing testing protocols to detect designer substances used for doping purposes.

• Improving existing analytical methods to detect particular drugs, ex. GH, IGF-1, EPO, hCG.

• Developing analytical methods to detect performance enhancing drugs not currently detectable.

• Longitudinal urinary excretion patterns, metabolism and dose-concentration.

• Critical reviews to support interpretation of laboratory data.

• Alternative specimens, (ex. oral fluid, dried blood/plasma spots) for testing.

• NEW: Social science projects aimed specifically at an elite athlete population in Olympic, Paralympic, Pan-American, and professional sports are of interest to the PCC, including:

  • Development of effective quantitative and qualitative measures of deterrence

  • Impact of technology and innovation to improve effectiveness of anti-doping programs (e.g. GPS whereabouts, unwitnessed sample collection)

  • The use of supplements and their impact on doping behavior

  • Relationship of the banned substance/prohibited list on perceived fairness in and effectiveness of the anti-doping system

  • Relative influence of risk factors in doping behavior

As access to specific elite athlete populations are a critical component of successful social science research, applicants should consult with relevant sport organizations, anti-doping agencies, or others to have a commitment in principle to collaborate on such projects before submitting an application. Letters of support are critical.