Apply now: ME/CFS Research Foundation launches 2026 research funding programme

Starting today, scientists and clinicians based in Germany can apply for our research funding programme 2026. A total of €2 million are available for new research projects. €1.5m are set to be invested in clinical research and €0.5m in basic/translational research. The deadline for submitting proposals is 30 April 2026.

The Foundation's Research Funding Programme 2026 is designed to support biomedical research projects addressing unknown or insufficiently understood disease mechanisms, biomarkers, or treatment options for ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). The aim is to enable and support projects that, with their results, will significantly contribute to improving the diagnosis and disease-modifying treatment in the coming years.

A total of €2m are available for research investment under this call for proposals. This makes the ME/CFS Research Foundation's 2026 research funding programme one of the largest privately funded ME/CFS initiatives in Europe. We would like to thank our donors and sponsors for their tremendous support, which enables us to provide new impetus for diagnostic and therapeutic research.  

Researchers based at institutions located in Germany are able to apply for funding until 30 April (for new research projects or in the form of deficit funding). The new website for the funding programme provides all details about the programme, submission and review procedures and the defined eligibility criteria:

Focus of the funding programme

The focus of funding are the following research areas:

1. 1. Elucidation of the disease mechanisms, which are underlying key ME/CFS symptoms, such as post-exertional malaise (PEM), pain, muscle weakness, cognitive dysfunction, circulatory disorders, sleep disorders and dysautonomia.
2. Development of reliable diagnostic, prognostic or predictive biomarkers for stratifying ME/CFS patient groups (taking into account important variables such as sex/gender, age, duration of illness and severity). The focus rests on projects investigating autoimmunity, immune dysregulation, metabolic disorders, inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and nervous system dysfunction as causal factors in the development and progression of ME/CFS.
3. Testing of innovative, disease mechanism-targeted drugs and treatment approaches for their suitability for effective and safe treatment of ME/CFS. This includes drugs already approved for other diseases, such as CD19+ or CD20+ B cell depletion, CD38+ plasmablast/cell depletion, B cell receptor signalling and granulocyte inhibition, selective B/T cell depletion, inhibition of plasma cell maturation and GLP-1 receptor agonists, or other promising drug candidates targeting the above-mentioned disease mechanisms.

The evaluation and selection of eligible proposals under the new funding programme is based on criteria defined in close collaboration with our Scientific Advisory Board and key partner organisations, such as the German Association for ME/CFS. Submissions will be evaluated by a jury of international experts and the Foundation's science team.

Allocation of funding

The allocation of funding is exclusively directed towards the following research types: 

1. Applied basic research
   • Animal models
   • Biochemistry and cell studies
   • Genetics
2. Translational research
   • Translation of findings from basic research into treatment approaches (bench-to-bedside)
3. Interventional and observational clinical research
   • Phase I and II randomised controlled trials
   • Therapy studies
   • Case studies/series
   • Prognostic/diagnostic studies

Additionally, limited funds are available to cover publication fees for scientific articles (open access fees) that cannot be financed from other sources. 

Projects in the field of health services/epidemiological research are not eligible for funding under this year's programme.

With the funding programme 2026, we are initiating an open call for proposals for the first time. We hope this will provide important impetus for research groups in Germany working on developing the diagnosis and treatment of ME/CFS. The announcement on the allocation of funds is expected around 30 June 2026. Funded projects must begin their work between July and September of this year. Detailed reports on the funded projects will be published at the start and during their duration.

Context of the 2026 funding programme

The call for proposals and awarding of our private funds falls within a period in which the first public funding initiatives within the framework of the “National Decade Against Post-infectious Diseases" (external link) by the German Federal Government are in preparation and about to start. Our goal is to facilitate research as quickly and efficiently as possible during this current transition phase, before the research field of post-infectious diseases expands significantly. Research funded as part of our programme will ideally generate important evidence for the further progress of the field in the coming years. This could include, for example, key findings on disease mechanisms or therapeutic targets, which could be pursued further through funding within the framework of the “National Decade”.

At the end of 2026, we will reassess the direction of public funding under the "National Decade" as well as the remaining funding environment, and will align our funding strategy for 2027 and beyond.

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How can you support the work of the ME/CFS Research Foundation?

While progress has been made, there is still a long way to go before diagnosis, care and treatment of ME/CFS patients will one day become an established medical and social standard. We at the ME/CFS Research Foundation are focussing on biomedical research, which we see as a key element in solving these problems (more on this in our research funding strategy and in the recent half year report, which summarises our activities). To achieve this, we rely on broad support from private donors – those affected, relatives, families, friends, associations, schools, networks, companies, initiatives, event organisers and all supporters. If you are not able to provide direct support, you can share our stories and motivate others to help. Because only together can we achieve. this goal.

We fully translate donations and other support into scientifically excellent research, networking and ultimately visible successes, i.e. improved ME/CFS diagnostics and therapies. We are happy to work together with other organisations and initiatives - please contact us!

Thank you for your support!