The NIH announced that it would fund ME research by publishing two Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) by Dec. 2016, but it is about to miss its first deadline.

On Oct. 21st, the NIH released two Notices of Intent to publish two FOAs for ME/CFS by Dec. 2016. As of today, they have not been released.

The two FOAs are intended to establish collaborative research centers and a data management and coordination center. These FOAs are expected to provide set-aside funding, critical to attracting researchers driven away by a lack of funding.

Join ME activists from around the country to demand that NIH Director, Dr. Francis Collins, keep his promise to publish two FOAs, which will provide funding to researchers investigating ME.

Join us in tweeting, emailing or calling him now before the year end. See sample scripts below. We will not wait any longer for Dr. Collins to act on his word.

Speaking about the lack of FOAs for ME, activist Jennie Spotila said, “More than halfway through December, the promised RFAs for the ME/CFS research consortium and data center have yet to materialize. Will we see them this month? Your guess is as good as mine.”

Terri Wilder, an activist from New York, stated, “Francis Collins has disappointed the ME community once again with his broken promises. When is the charade going to end? People with ME demand that the two FOAs be released now! Our lives depend on it.”

Suggested tweets:

@NIHDirector Where are the ME Funding Announcements? Release them NOW!

@NIHDirector You promised ME Funding. People are sick. Do your job!

@NIHDirector Release the ME FOAs NOW!

@NIHDirector People are sick. Release the ME FOAs NOW!

@NIHDirector You have had more than a year to keep your promise and issue RFAs for ME. Do it now!

Suggested email:

E-mail Address: [email protected] and [email protected]

Dear Dr. Collins,

My name is _____ I have been sick with ME for ____ years. I have lost ____ OR

My name is ____ My daughter/son/family member has been sick with ME for ____ years. She/he/they has suffered ___ and lost ___

(Keep it brief so that you can get quickly to the ask below)

I was thrilled to read the NIH’s two Notices of Intent to publish two Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) by Dec. 2016.

To date, they have not been released. The FOAs are critical to moving research forward for a disease that is destroying the lives of as many as 2.5 million Americans. We will not accept neglect any longer.

Dr. Collins, we call on you to keep your word. Release the two FOAs now.

In urgency,

Sign your name

Suggested phone call:

Phone Number: 301-496-2433

My name is _____ I have been sick with ME for ____ years. I have lost ____ OR

My name is ____ my daughter/son/family member has been sick with ME for ____ years. She/he/they has suffered ___ and lost ___

I’m calling to leave a message for Dr. Francis Collins. I am asking Dr. Collins to release the Funding Opportunity Announcements that he promised for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) now. The FOAs are critical to moving research forward for a disease that is destroying the lives of as many as 2.5 million Americans. We will not accept neglect any longer.