Update on Funding Opportunity Announcement for ME/CFS Research Consortium

On October 21, 2016, NIH announced its intent to publish a major funding opportunity for a Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome research consortium: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-NS-17-004.html.  The early notice has allowed researchers to develop initial plans and collaborations to maximize their chances of competing successfully for the forthcoming funding opportunities.  NIH had planned to release the solicitation for grants by the end of December 2016. However, due to a high level of interest from multiple NIH Institutes and Centers, several rounds of revisions were required, and a number of finishing touches are necessary to optimize the funding announcements. NIH expects the FOAs will be released by the end of January 2017.  Importantly, this change does not affect the start date of the actual research, which remains scheduled to proceed this fall after approval by the NIH Councils.

NIH remains committed to advancing the understanding of the biological basis of ME/CFS and developing treatments that will reduce the burden of illness due to ME/CFS.  We believe that establishing a consortium of researchers working together will be a significant step forward in achieving this mission.