Working together against ME/CFS: WE&ME Award supports research with €450,000
With the newly created WE&ME Award, the WE&ME Foundation is providing €450,000 for scientific research into ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome). The funding was made available through the alpha+ Foundation of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and is one of the most highly endowed privately funded research prizes in Austria.
The aim of the award is to enable excellent research projects at Austrian universities and non-university research institutions in order to gain fundamental insights into the causes, mechanisms, and possible therapeutic approaches for ME/CFS and related post-viral illnesses. The focus is particularly on biomedical studies that follow strict international diagnostic criteria (CCC/ICC).
Submissions are possible from July to October 2025. The selection of eligible projects is carried out by the FWF in accordance with internationally recognized review procedures. The final decision is made by the WE&ME Foundation based on the recommendations of the FWF Board of Trustees.
According to current estimates, ME/CFS affects up to 80,000 people in Austria. Young, previously healthy individuals in particular often suffer from severe, long-lasting symptoms. Despite the high burden of disease, ME/CFS is still insufficiently researched and medically underserved.
With the WE&ME Award, the foundation is providing further strong impetus for the promotion of basic research following its cooperation with the WWTF in 2024. The collaboration with the FWF specifically strengthens Austria as a center of science and invites national and international researchers to contribute their expertise to research into this hitherto neglected disease.
