{"id":17611,"date":"2026-07-22T09:06:04","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T09:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mecfs-research.org\/?p=17611"},"modified":"2026-07-22T10:26:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T10:26:30","slug":"2026summer-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mecfs-research.org\/en\/2026summer-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer 2026 Half-Year Report: what have we achieved so far?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the first half of 2026, we were able to reach further milestones in our work to promote more biomedical ME\/CFS research. Above all, steadily increasing donations and the dedication of the Foundation\u2019s team form the basis for our ongoing success and the momentum we have generated for ME\/CFS research to date.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our mission has remained unchanged since the Foundation was established almost five years ago: to specifically support biomedical ME\/CFS research in order to facilitate the development of biomarkers, diagnostics and therapies. For only targeted research will pave the way out of the medical and social crisis that ME\/CFS and post-infectious conditions such as Long COVID continue to represent for patients, their families and society as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our work, we have continually adapted our priorities and projects to the changing research landscape and the political framework. Details can be found in our previous half-yearly reports (see winter report 2025<\/span><\/a>, summer report 2025<\/span><\/a> and winter report 2024<\/span><\/a>). We have once again structured this Summer 2026 half-yearly report around five areas of work:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Funding research<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Networking of researchers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Facts and resources for education and information<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Shaping research policy constructively<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Fundraising and awareness (including use of donations)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    1. Funding research <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A highlight of our work in the first half of the year was the Res Research Funding Programme 2026<\/strong>. In February, we launched our first open call for proposals for ME\/CFS research projects<\/span><\/a> . The programme supports biomedical research focusing on unexplained or poorly understood disease mechanisms, biomarkers or treatment options for ME\/CFS (see the defined funding criteria<\/span><\/a>). Thirty-three funding applications were submitted and subsequently assessed by a panel of international experts, as well as the Foundation\u2019s Scientific Advisory Board<\/span><\/a> and our scientific team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \n

    Seven projects were selected from all the submissions and will begin their work in a few weeks\u2019 time. The total funding available for this programme amounts to around 2.4 million euros and, thanks to a recent increase in donations, is actually 400,000 euros higher than the originally announced funding amount (2 million euros).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Details of the selected projects and the programme can be found in the news release on the funding programme<\/span><\/a> . The newly created overview of all the Foundation\u2019s funded projects<\/span><\/a> on our website demonstrates our full commitment to research funding since 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Outlook<\/strong>: At the end of 2026, we will reassess the landscape of ME\/CFS research funding in Germany and internationally, and adjust our current funding strategy<\/a> for 2027 accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    2. Networking of researchers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    With the International ME\/CFS Conference 2026<\/span><\/strong><\/a> , we have once again this year organised a hybrid specialist conference in collaboration with the Charit\u00e9 Fatigue Centre, which took place on 7\u20138 May 2026 in Berlin. With a total of over 7,300 participants (280 of whom attended in person), this annual conference has now become one of the world\u2019s largest scientific events on post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \n

    The event website<\/span><\/a> provides free access to the agenda, profiles of all speakers and chairs, as well as videos and summaries of the presentations<\/strong> . Content from previous years\u2019 events is also still available (2025<\/span><\/a> and 2023<\/span><\/a>). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    In addition to events, we also use the ME\/CFS Research Register<\/strong><\/a>,<\/span> to provide information on the current state of ME\/CFS research. The register offers a systematic overview of the ME\/CFS research landscape, with information on research projects, working groups, publications, events and further details across six countries to date. The register will continue to be updated and gradually expanded to include new countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    3. Facts and resources for awareness-raising and information<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Following extensive use of the data from our study on the prevalence and costs of ME\/CFS and Long COVID in Germany<\/span><\/strong><\/a> \u2013 published in May 2025 \u2013 by the press, politicians and in public debate, we published an update to the study with current data<\/span><\/a> in May 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \n

    The update covers data for the six-year period between 2020 and 2025 and concludes that both conditions continue to represent a significant burden on society. In 2025, over 1.4 million people in Germany were affected by ME\/CFS or Long COVID.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    The societal costs remain high at over 64 billion euros annually. These figures underscore the enormous pressure on society to take effective action to reduce the high levels of suffering associated with these conditions amongst the population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    4. Shaping research policy constructively<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    With the \"National Decade Against Post-infectious Diseases<\/span><\/a>\" (external link), the German Federal Government and the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) have launched one of the most ambitious research programmes to date for post-acute infectious syndromes (PAIS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \n
    \n
    \n

    Over the ten-year period 2026\u20132036, 500 million euros are to be invested in research into post-infectious diseases, primarily ME\/CFS and Long COVID or post-COVID syndrome. The aim is to gain a better understanding of these conditions and to be able to treat them effectively.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n