Research Program

Background:

The funding of scientifically valid research projects is a cornerstone of RMTC's mission. Targeted research directed toward developing analytical methods for the detection of prohibited substances or toward developing scientifically defensible withdrawal times and/or thresholds for therapeutic substances will be given highest priority, along with broader methodological research. In 2003, five projects were funded for a total dollar amount of $300,844, and in 2005, RMTC approved a research budget of $396,394.

Since 2005, RMTC has moved away from the RFP process to focus on administration studies for medications of therapeutic value to the horse. Twenty-horse administrations are performed at the University of Florida Racing Laboratory on fit, treadmill-trained Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses in order to develop reliable, statistically valid withdrawal times and relevant regulatory concentrations. Approximately $700,000 has been spent to date on this project, which is the largest of its kind ever conducted in horse racing in any country.

Overall, RMTC has funded nearly $1.5 million in drug testing research.

In addition, RMTC continues to subsidize the analysis of unknown substances (vials, bottles, syringes, etc.) for racing commissions on an ad hoc basis to determine whether the substances contain doping agents that could produce a pharmacologic effect on raceday.

A grant application can be accessed below. One copy of the completed application must be received by December 1 in order to be considered for the following year's funding cycle. Applications will then be reviewed and scored by the RMTC Scientific Advisory Committee, with awards being announced in the spring.