Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Collaborative Research Centers (CRCs) (U54, Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans Allowed) | RFA NS 22 019

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NS 22 019

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering support through a cooperative agreement mechanism (U54) to create and run Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Collaborative Research Centers (CRCs). The central aim of this funding opportunity is to build a connected network of centers that work together to clarify the underlying cause or causes of ME/CFS and accelerate the discovery of better treatments. Beyond the long-range goal of transforming understanding and care, each individual center is expected to quickly advance an integrated, interdisciplinary research program and function as both a local hub and a national leader for ME/CFS research, helping raise the overall quality, coordination, and visibility of the field.

A key feature of the program is its emphasis on collaboration and synergy rather than isolated projects. Funded centers are expected to conduct coordinated basic and/or clinical research on ME/CFS, and to do so in ways that are strengthened by cross-center cooperation. The FOA also places strong weight on longitudinal research, meaning centers should follow individuals with ME/CFS over time to better understand changes in symptoms, biology, and clinical outcomes, both within a given center and across the broader CRC network. In addition to generating new scientific findings, CRCs are expected to serve as information resources for a wide audience, including basic and clinical researchers, academic and practicing physicians, other healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public, helping translate emerging knowledge and improve awareness and engagement.

Data and biospecimen sharing is not optional under this program. Centers must contribute clinical data and biological samples in ways that support network-wide analyses and replication, reflecting NIH expectations around rigor, transparency, and maximizing the value of participant contributions. The FOA notes that the infrastructure for efficient data collection and sharing, along with biospecimen sharing logistics, will be supported through a separate Data Management and Coordinating Center (DMCC). In practice, this means CRC awardees should be prepared to operate within common network standards and processes for data harmonization, governance, and timely sharing, rather than developing entirely independent systems. Because the award is a cooperative agreement, NIH involvement is typically more active than in a standard research grant, and applicants should expect substantial coordination requirements and ongoing collaboration expectations across the network.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions when specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments). The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the opportunity places clear limits on foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, which typically means a U.S.-based applicant can include certain foreign activities or collaborations when they meet NIH policy requirements and are well-justified scientifically, even though the primary applicant organization must be domestic.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is listed as RFA-NS-22-019 under NIH and uses the cooperative agreement funding instrument. The activity area is health, and multiple CFDA numbers are associated with the announcement (93.213, 93.233, 93.273, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.853, 93.855), reflecting the multi-institute nature of NIH involvement. The FOA allows basic experimental studies involving humans, which signals that projects can include certain types of mechanistic or physiological studies in people when they fit NIH definitions and human subjects protections. The announcement was created on 2022-02-15 and listed an original closing date of 2022-05-24. The award ceiling is stated as $1,200,000, and while the source text lists "ExpectedAwards:" without a number, the broader selection emphasis is clear: NIH intends to prioritize applications that are most likely to produce high-impact advances in ME/CFS research and that demonstrate a strong capacity to collaborate effectively across the CRC network.

Overall, this FOA is designed to move the ME/CFS field forward by building durable, institutionally supported research centers that combine interdisciplinary science, long-term participant follow-up, and strong network coordination. Success under this program depends not only on scientific merit and innovation, but also on a center's readiness to operate as part of a shared national effort, including robust data and biospecimen sharing and a clear commitment from the host institution to sustain the CRC infrastructure and mission.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Collaborative Research Centers (CRCs) (U54, Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.213, 93.233, 93.273, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.853, 93.855.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-02-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-05-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,200,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA NS 22 019

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