“Used with the permission of the CFIDS Association, issued July 14, 2005”

NIH Finally Issues RFA for CFS Research

On July 14, 2005, the National Institutes of Health issued a Request for Applications (RFA) titled "Neuroimmune Mechanisms and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome." The announcement states that approximately $4,000,000 has been set aside for successful applications, including an intention to fund 6-10 new studies.

Priorities for the RFA follow the recommendations developed during a June 2003 NIH-sponsored workshop, "Neuroimmune Mechanisms and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Will Understanding Central Mechanisms Enhance the Search for Causes, Consequences, and Treatment of CFS?" The priorities identified in the RFA are those projects that:

1) Examine mediators influencing communication among the interacting parts of the nervous and immune systems, as well as those that postulate central control mechanisms for these interactions;

2) Use new tools to explore different aspects of the disease process;

3) Elucidate the developmental aspects of this disease; and

4) Develop predictive biomarkers.

The CFIDS Association of America has been campaigning for the release of this RFA for two years—ever since it was promised by NIH’s deputy director, Dr. Vivian Pinn, at the June 2003 workshop. Most recently, advocates who participated in the Association’s May 12, 2005, Lobby Day urged lawmakers to compel NIH to make good on its commitment. In response, several members of Congress voiced their concern about the delay directly to NIH. We extend thanks to everyone who helped secure this important announcement and the set-aside funds attached to it. Take action to thank NIH officials for issuing this important announcement by clicking on http://h22.119.39.162.ip.alltel.net:81/CT00056301MzcxMTY=.HTML.

The Association will help broadly distribute this news, focusing particular attention on the scientific community in an effort to stimulate new interest in CFS research by senior investigators and young scientists working in a wide range of disciplines and institutions. RFA announcements are more attractive to scientists than are other types of funding notices due to the availability of special funds for meritorious projects.

Six NIH institutes and offices have jointly sponsored the RFA. Letters of Intent are due on August 19, 2005, and complete applications are due on September 19, 2005. The full text of the RFA is available at http://h22.119.39.162.ip.alltel.net:81/CT00056302MzcxMTY=.HTML.