First funding measure of the "National Decade Against Post-infectious Diseases" published – summary and comment

On 1 June 2026, the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) announced the first funding measures under the "National Decade Against Post-Infectious Diseases." Researchers in Germany can now apply for project funding for clinical trials on the diagnosis and treatment of post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS) until 2 September 2026. 

What research will be funded?

The aim of the "Guideline on Funding Projects around Clinical Trials Highly Relevant to the Care of Patients with Post-Infectious Diseases" (external link) is to close evidence gaps regarding the care of people living with post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS). The goal is to generate new findings on how these patients can be better diagnosed in the future and which drugs can be used for targeted treatment. The call for proposals focuses on PAIS, specifically including Long COVID/post-COVID syndrome and ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome). Other infection-associated diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or type 1 diabetes, are not covered by this funding.

New research projects will be funded across three modules:

• Module 1 (duration of up to 5 years): Confirmatory and exploratory clinical trials
• Module 2 (duration of up to 2 years): Systematic reviews of clinical trials
• Module 3 (duration of up to 18 months): Concept phases with active patient participation

Module 1 targets projects involving multicenter, prospective, randomised, controlled clinical trials designed to demonstrate the efficacy of diagnostic procedures and/or treatments (e.g., drugs) for PAIS. This module also supports exploratory clinical trials involving a small number of patients, provided these trials serve as a preparatory basis for subsequent, larger-scale projects with a greater number of patients. All trials must involve at least two study sites, although justified exceptions are possible.

Module 2 supports the development of review articles—specifically, scientific papers (including updates) concerning clinical trials on PAIS. This module thus aims to foster the compilation and systematic synthesis of findings at a theoretical level. Insights gained in this way can, in turn, serve as a basis for future clinical trials conducted with additional funding under the “National Decade,” such as drug trials.

Module 3 is particular in that it explicitly funds conceptual phases during which patients (and other relevant target groups) play an active role in planning and designing future clinical trials (as outlined in Module 1). This encompasses, for example, the collaborative design of future research projects or the participatory development and/or piloting of drug trials. Following the conceptual phase of a funded proposal, the planned project undergoes a prompt review. Project outlines that receive a positive assessment may even be implemented as clinical trials with funding under this module, provided that close cooperation with patients continues. 

Public and state-recognised higher education institutions, non-university research institutions, healthcare providers (e.g. hospitals), and civil society organisations are eligible to apply for funding under these modules. While companies conducting research driven by private-sector interests cannot apply directly, they may participate as cooperation partners—for instance, through joint projects with universities or clinics. Research institutions based abroad may also participate in funded projects, provided that the international partners finance their own share of the project activities.

No information is currently available regarding the amount of funding under this initial funding guideline. 

Patient involvement at the center

A key feature of the current funding guidelines is the clear emphasis on patient involvement. This includes patient organisations as well as initiatives led by family caregivers—such as parents of affected children and adolescents. According to the guidelines, the active inclusion of these groups is "a crucial success factor for enhancing the relevance and quality of clinical trials and systematic reviews". Affected individuals are to be involved as early as the planning and conceptualisation phases of proposed projects, helping to shape aspects such as the definition of research questions and the research design. Funding is awarded only to projects that involve affected individuals "appropriately in the planning, conduct, and dissemination of results". Projects lacking such involvement can receive funding only in justified, exceptional cases.

In light of the demands made by ME/CFS Research Foundation (and other patient organisations) in recent months (see our Stellungnahme zum Fachgespräch im Forschungsausschuss des Deutschen Bundestages vom 17. Dezember), we view the requirements for patient involvement outlined in the call for proposals positively. We consider our demand from 17 December—that "comprehensive and early involvement of patient representative experts [...] be regarded as a fundamental prerequisite for the strategic success of the National Decade" —to be met within the framework of these funding guidelines for the time being. It will now be essential that this requirement is consistently implemented in the projects that receive funding. 

What does the new funding measure mean for ME/CFS research?

The funding guidelines for clinical trials mark the beginning of the selection process for the first research projects under the "National Decade." Selected projects are likely to begin their work in the first half of 2027. Given the planned project durations (up to five years for module 1), initial results from "National Decade" clinical trials on potential treatment approaches for ME/CFS and post-COVID syndrome will not be available for some years. Consequently, there will be a significant time lag between the emergence of positive results and the widespread availability of the tested medications. Further funding measures and calls for proposals—for instance, in the fields of basic and translational research—are expected to be published in the coming months. Additional funding initiatives for treatment development are also required and will be implemented through the "National Decade" over the months and years ahead.

It is important to note that trials on the development of ME/CFS treatments are already being planned and implemented—for instance, within the framework of the National Clinical Studies Group (NKSG). An overview of current therapeutic studies was presented by Prof. Dr. Carmen Scheibenbogen at the International ME/CFS Conference 2026 on 8 May. Results from some of these projects are already available and may soon be incorporated into the use assessment of new off-label treatments for ME/CFS and post-COVID syndrome. Other trials currently in the planning or implementation phase (such as those investigating B-cell and plasma-cell depletion) could yield initial results in the near future.

Experience shows that the call for proposals and implementation of state-funded projects take time. It is therefore important for our foundation to already launch our own new funding initiatives. Against this backdrop, we launched our Research Funding Programme 2026 in February, providing at least 2 million euros in funding for biomedical research projects (covering basic, translational, and therapeutic research). Following the current review phase, we plan to announce the selected projects in July 2026. The funded projects are scheduled to commence no later than September 2026. With an expected maximum project duration of two years, preliminary results could ideally be available as early in late 2027/early 2028. We hope that this will make a significant contribution to ME/CFS research. Another goal is for the results of our funded projects to lay the groundwork for future ME/CFS research within the framework of the "National Decade," thereby accelerating research progress. Our funding programme thereby serves as a vital complement to state funding.

All in all, the field of ME/CFS research in Germany is currently broader and better funded than ever before in the history of the disease. However, high-quality research requires time above all else—not least because it is now established that ME/CFS is a highly heterogeneous and complex condition involving various disease mechanisms, which will ultimately require a range of treatment approaches. The success of the "National Decade" will be crucial to achieving the central goal of ME/CFS research as quickly as possible: the development and widespread availability of effective treatments.

What are the next steps for the National Decade?

We have summarised the current status of the "National Decade "—including information on the approach and implementation—in a separate article. Presentations from the International ME/CFS Conference 2026 also provide valuable information in this regard:

• The opening remarks by Dorothee Bär (Federal Minister for Research, Technology, and Space), which announced, among other things, the launch of the call for funding proposals 
• The presentation by Prof. Dr. Natascha Sommer (who represents the German Centers for Health Research (DZG) within the framework of the "National Decade"), discussing research funding to date as well as the planned activities and approach of the "National Decade"  

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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!