Researching ME/CFS: Priority Area

The Researching ME/CFS: priority area is an ongoing funding priority notice maintained by the Medical Research Council (MRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). It is designed to encourage and support high-quality research applications focused on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) a complex, serious and long-term condition characterised by profound fatigue and a broad range of debilitating symptoms.

Although not a standalone funding scheme, this priority area means that research proposals addressing ME/CFS submitted to any appropriate MRC funding opportunity whether grants, fellowships or responsive mode awards, are welcomed and prioritised during assessment relative to other applications with equivalent peer review scores.

By signalling ME/CFS as a priority research area, UKRI and MRC aim to grow the evidence base, strengthen multidisciplinary research capacity, and accelerate progress towards better diagnosis, management and treatment of this under-studied condition.