In 2024, ME Research UK initiated the “Founders’ Science Writing Award” – a competition established to honour the foresight of the Founders of ME Research UK. The Founders, Dr Vance Spence and Robert McRae who, thanks to the impetus and financial backing of Founding Patron, Roger Jefcoate DL CBE, established a charity which has become a major force in ME/CFS research globally. ME Research UK marks 25 years since its foundation, and the past few decades have seen a seismic change in the research landscape – the Founders’ Science Award topic this year reflects this.
This competition aims to give early career researchers the opportunity to develop skills in communicating science in a way that is accessible and engaging to the public. These skills are essential to aid researchers secure funding in the modern research landscape, and to communicate important findings to people with ME/CFS, and the wider public.
Whilst all areas of research require scientists to think critically – for example, about the topic of investigation, the population of interest, and the methods used – for ME/CFS researchers, there are additional challenges to consider, including the complex nature of the disease; for example ME/CFS symptoms can not only differ between people, but also within the same individual over time.
However, as research understanding deepens, new discoveries are made, and methodologies advance, there are new opportunities to address the challenges faced in ME/CFS research.
Therefore, ME Research UK invites Entrants to consider the evidence relating to the challenges and opportunities within ME/CFS research. This could be specifically in relation to the Entrant’s area of research, or a wider take on current understanding or state of ME/CFS research.
Early career researchers are invited to submit high quality articles, suitable for reading by the general public, of no more than 1,000 words and relevant to biomedical research into ME/CFS. It is intended that winning entries will be published by ME Research UK. Entrants would be well-advised to read the “top ten tips” to a successful entry which arose from last year’s competition.
Opening date
12 May 2025 at 12 noon BST
Closing date
13 July 2025 at 5 p.m. BST
Maximum length
1,000 words
Theme
ME/CFS 2025 – Research Challenges and Opportunities
Potential prizes
1st place: £500
2nd place: £200
3rd place: £100
Judging process
The judging process will be completed by staff members of ME Research UK with the potential input of the Trustees of the Charity. Some of the persons involved in judging will have lived experience of ME/CFS. The judges will be blinded to the identity of the entrants.
Who can enter
Those in the field of ME/CFS biomedical research who are PhD students or early career researchers. There is no geographical restriction on entries, but entries must be in English.
Notification of winners
The Charity will aim to notify the winners by email between 4 and 6 weeks after the competition closing date. However, this may be subject to delay where a large number of entries are received. Should there be a delay, entrants will be notified by email no later than 30 September 2025.
Making an application
Download an application form here.
Before submitting an application, please read the Terms and Conditions relating to the competition.
Applications should be submitted by email to: competition@meresearch.org.uk.
Completed applications must be received by no later than 5 p.m. on 13 July 2025. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.
