Press release
ME/CFS Research Foundation is investing 2.4 million euros in seven new research projects
Hamburg, 17. Juli 2026
Europe’s largest privately funded research funding programme for ME/CFS is bolstering research into the development of treatments, biomarkers and the identification of disease mechanisms with seven new research projects.
The non-profit ME/CFS Research Foundation is investing a total of 2.4 million euros in seven new research projects into ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome). The projects are set to begin this summer at eight research institutions in Germany and will investigate new therapeutic approaches, biomarkers and key disease mechanisms underlying this common, severe multisystemic condition, for which there are still no recognised curative treatments.
Thanks to rising donation income, the originally planned funding allocation for the “Research Funding Programme 2026” of two million euros has been increased to 2.4 million euros. The Foundation is thus significantly expanding its research funding and sending a strong signal in support of biomedical ME/CFS research in Germany and Europe.
“We are currently witnessing tremendous scientific momentum in ME/CFS research. Through our 2026 funding programme, we are supporting particularly innovative projects at an early stage and helping to ensure that promising scientific findings are translated more quickly into new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.” (Joerg Heydecke, founder and CEO of the ME/CFS Research Foundation)
A wide range of research
The funded projects focus, amongst other things, on
- B-cell depletion therapy,
- genetic causes,
- Biomarkers for diagnosis and patient stratification,
- Autoimmunity and chronic inflammatory processes,
- immunological mechanisms in children and adolescents, as well as
- Machine learning-assisted development of new biomarkers.
The funded projects are being carried out at, amongst others, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Hannover Medical School, Goethe University Frankfurt, Erlangen University Hospital, the Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Munich and Heidelberg University Hospital.
The seven projects were selected through a multi-stage scientific review process. Following a formal screening, 26 applications were assessed by an international jury comprising more than 20 experts from ten countries, as well as the Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board and its scientific team.
Complementing the public research funding
The Foundation regards its funding as a targeted complement to public research funding. The projects it supports are intended to lay important scientific foundations upon which larger follow-up projects can build in the coming years – particularly in the context of the National Decade against Post-Infectious Diseases, which is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space.
Particularly at this early stage of the research field’s development, rapid and flexible funding is crucial for advancing innovative scientific approaches and promising research ideas at an early stage. This is the role played by the Foundation’s funding programme this year.
Donations make research possible
Through its current programme, the ME/CFS Research Foundation runs the largest privately funded grant programme for ME/CFS research in Europe to date. This is made possible by the steadily increasing support from donors. In addition to funding projects, the Foundation is also committed to fostering international collaboration among researchers and to other initiatives in support of ME/CFS research.
Overview of all funded projects and further information: https://mecfs-research.org/en/projects
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Further information on ME/CFS, the foundation and current media coverage can be found in the press section of our website: https://mecfs-research.org/press/
Donation info: https://mecfs-research.org/spenden/
Donation account: DE35 2004 0000 0628 5316 00 (Commerzbank)
ME/CFS Research Foundation is a non-profit limited liability company and fulfils the statutory requirements according to §§ 51, 59, 60 and 61 AO (German tax laws). It may issue donation receipts within the meaning of Section 10b of the German Income Tax Act.
About ME/CFS Research Foundation
The non-profit ME/CFS Research Foundation, based in Hamburg, funds and supports biomedical research into ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) and Long COVID. The aim is to develop diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to improve the current inadequate standard of care. The foundation works closely with researchers and ME/CFS patient organisations.
Due to a lack of research to date, there is still no effective treatment for these common and serious multisystemic diseases. The foundation funds research projects, connects researchers, ensures transparency regarding research progress, and provides facts and resources to raise awareness.
About ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) and long COVID:
ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) is a chronic, severe multisystemic condition characterised by a wide range of disorders, primarily affecting the nervous and immune systems. ME/CFS is predominantly post-infectious in origin, including as a consequence of COVID-19. It is the most severe form of Long COVID. People with ME/CFS experience pronounced physical and cognitive symptoms, a very low quality of life and often a high degree of disability. Between 60 and 75 per cent of all sufferers are unable to work, and many are confined to their homes or beds. The key symptom is severe exercise intolerance with a worsening of symptoms following everyday activities (post-exertional malaise, or PEM for short). Due to the current lack of biomarkers, diagnosing ME/CFS is only possible through a detailed medical history and multidisciplinary diagnostic process to rule out other conditions. Many doctors lack the necessary expertise. It often takes years for those affected to receive a diagnosis. To date, there is no effective treatment. Adults with ME/CFS currently have little prospect of recovery and reintegration into working life. The prognosis is better for children and young people, yet long-term absences from school are the norm. For most sufferers, participation in normal life—including work, education, friends, sport, hobbies, etc.—is not possible.
In Deutschland lag die Zahl der Menschen, die mit ME/CFS leben, im Jahr 2025 bei mehr als 657.000. Ein Teil der durch COVID-19 an Long COVID bzw. Post-COVID-Syndrom erkrankten Personen erfüllt die Diagnosekriterien für ME/CFS. Bereits vor der COVID-19-Pandemie lebten etwa 400.000 Menschen in Deutschland mit ME/CFS. Weltweit liegt die Zahl der Betroffenen bei weit über 40 Millionen. Die medizinische Versorgungslage der Erkrankten ist ungenügend. Oft kommt es zu Fehldiagnosen und daraus resultierenden Folgeschäden.
Die hohe Zahl der Betroffenen ist für alle Bereiche der Versorgung sowie auch ökonomisch, durch den krankheitsbedingten Ausfall von Ausbildungszeit und Arbeitskraft, ein zunehmend kritischer Faktor.
All the figures and sources mentioned can be found on our website: https://mecfs-research.org/was-ist-me-cfs