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Scope of the call

This call is issued within the WWTF "Additional Measures" (“Ergänzende Instrumente”) specified in the WWTF Funding Guideline.  

This call is open to early-career ME/CFS researchers seeking to undertake a six-month research stay in Vienna or abroad. The ME/CFS Fellowship programme aims to strengthen the ME/CFS community by supporting excellent young scientists and promoting the exchange of expertise. The programme provides a stipend for fellows to learn new methods and techniques in renowned laboratories in Vienna or abroad. The fellowship should help young researchers forge and strengthen international connections early in their career.

Why ME/CFS?

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex and poorly understood chronic disease. As part of the family of post-acute infectious diseases, it is characterised by a wide range of complex and serious, debilitating conditions with a variety of symptoms. This includes the cardinal symptom post-exertional malaise. Other symptoms like sleep dysfunction, pain, neurological/cognitive manifestations, as well as autonomic, immunological, and neuro-endocrinological symptoms are part of ME/CFS. Individuals with ME/CFS often do not return to pre-disease levels of activity. The cause of ME/CFS is currently unknown. ME/CFS affects individuals of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic groups. It is estimated that in Austria up to 80,000 patients suffer from ME/CFS, with women being more likely to be diagnosed than men.

The focus of this fellowship is on learning and exchange of techniques that advance the understanding of post-acute infectious diseases such as ME/CFS. However, grantees investigating other post-acute infectious diseases that show substantial post-exertional malaise in their phenotype are also eligible for funding. Please note that researchers solely addressing observational projects in clinical settings and health service research do not fit the scope of this call.

Phenotypic Characteristics

ME/CFS: The definition of ME/CFS must align with one or more of the following international consensus criteria:

Post-acute infectious diseases (PAIS): Other post-acute infectious diseases may also be investigated as part of the proposed fellowship. Recent research has shown significant overlap in the biological mechanisms between a wide range of post-acute infectious diseases. Early career researchers investigating other post-acute infectious diseases (e.g., long COVID) are therefore also eligible to apply for this fellowship . To be included in the scope of this call, the disease to be studied must meet the phenotypic criteria of post-exertional malaise as defined by one of the above-mentioned international consensus criteria.

ME/CFS Fellowship: What we expect

InEarly career researchers who wish to apply in this call wemust encourageeither: early1) careerbe researcherscurrently frombased at a university or non-university research institution in Vienna toand either go abroad (Beyond Austria) OR early career researchers comingseek to conduct a research stay outside of Austria; or 2) be currently based outside of Austria and seek to conduct a research stay at a university or non-university research institution in Vienna.

Our

The rationalaim of this call is to strengthen the ME/CFS research community overall,globally, andwith ina particular infocus on Vienna. Through the fellowships, granteesearly career researchers should:

  • Develop core research and technical skills: Grantees should acquire broad and fundamental research training; e.g.: including designing, performing, and interpreting experiments, mastering associated experimental techniques, and developing strong foundations in experimental design, statistical methodology, and quantitative / qualitiativequalitative reasoning

  • Contribute to and learn from lab culture: Grantees should learn how to assess lab culture, understand the Host's mentorship and collaboration style, engage in community activities within and across ME/CFS labs and practice effective communication

  • Career development: Grantees should develop essential professional skills like critical thinking, project management, communication, organization, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. This includes receiving career guidance and developing a clear plan for their next career stage, which ultimately expands the scientific talent pool for ME/CFS

  • Broader Impact and Scientific Engagement: Grantees should learn to think beyond the lab bench, understand the context of their ME/CFS research 

Important Technicalities

  • The overall duration is limited to 6 months: If you plan to defer from this timeframe, please indicate and argument this in your proposal. We highly recommend staying for 6 months.

    All grantees should start their fellowship the latest in June, 2026: At WWTF we have other, complementary activities for ME/CFS streamlined with the ME/CFS Fellowship, so this timeline is mandatory for all grantees

  • The contract will be signed between WWTF and the research institution in Vienna: this is due to our funding guidelines and our role as local funder in Vienna. Details see here.

  • All applicants need to submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) from the dedicated Host Lab / Working group: We expect all applicants to submit a signed letter stating:

      • The name of the applicant
      • The name and the responsible PI of the Host Institution
      • The dedicated timeframe 
      • The expected role of the applicant within the working group and 
      • The Host Lab / Working group's approach to mentorship and guidance for the duration of the fellowship
      • Signature 

Community Building 

Funded grantees will be showcased via WWTF and WE&ME public relations activities. This includes displaying the projects via respective websites, contributing to other multimedia activities or presenting the work at stakeholder meetings relevant for making the outcomes of this call visible. To strengthen the ME/CFS research community, funded grantees will also be invited to particpate in community actitivies.

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