Researching ME/CFS priority area
Medical Research Council (MRC) · United Kingdom
Funding priority encouraging research into myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Applications can be submitted through any suitable Medical Research Council (MRC) grant or fellowship funding scheme that falls within the MRC remit.
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Funding priority encouraging research into myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Applications can be submitted through any suitable Medical Research Council (MRC) grant or fellowship funding scheme that falls within the MRC remit.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Business, Research, Public Sector
Business size
SME, Large
Industries
Biomedical and health research related to ME/CFS.
Match funding
Needs verification
Requirements
Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria of the specific MRC funding opportunity being applied to and be affiliated with a recognised research organisation or business eligible for UKRI funding. The lead organisation must meet the eligibility requirements for the specific MRC funding scheme used. Research addressing priority areas such as causes of post-exertional malaise, diagnostic tool ...
Eligible applicants
Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria of the specific MRC funding opportunity being applied to and be affiliated with a recognised research organisation or business eligible for UKRI funding.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Determined by the specific MRC funding scheme used
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
MRC funds up to 80% of full economic cost.
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Research addressing priority areas such as causes of post-exertional malaise, diagnostic tool development, immune system involvement, genetic links, disease severity drivers, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxygenation dysfunction, and drug repurposing.
Eligible expenses
- Research staff salaries, research costs, equipment, travel, and other eligible project costs according to the selected MRC funding scheme.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under ME/CFS priority area research funding terms.
Application and risks
Application platform
Applications must be submitted through the relevant UKRI funding opportunity used for the project.
Competitiveness
Open (Rolling assessment)
Decision timeline
Determined by the standard timelines of the selected MRC funding scheme.
Assessment process
Applications are assessed through the standard MRC peer review and panel decision process associated with the selected funding scheme.
Application sections
- Determined by the specific MRC funding scheme used.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they fall outside MRC remit, fail to meet eligibility criteria, or do not demonstrate strong scientific quality and relevance to ME/CFS research priorities.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
1 May 2003
Project duration
Determined by the specific MRC funding opportunity used
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Collaborative and multidisciplinary research teams are encouraged, including partnerships with researchers new to the ME/CFS field.
- International project co-leads may be included if they provide expertise not available in the UK.
Consortium requirements
- Not mandatory but multidisciplinary teams are encouraged to address complex research challenges.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Research Category","value":"Medical and biomedical research focused on ME/CFS."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Determined by the specific MRC funding scheme used."},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Applications should address key research priorities identified by the ME/CFS Priority Setting Partnership and aim to advance understanding, diagnosis, or treatment of ME/CFS."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Applications under this priority area may receive prioritisation for funding compared with other proposals achieving the same assessment score. Applicants are encouraged to include patient and public involvement in the research design."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- Determined by the specific MRC funding scheme used
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant, Fellowship
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Business, Research Innovation, Public Sector, Mixed
- Industry
- Biomedical and health research related to ME/CFS.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 1 May 2003