Edit: The deadline for the 2024 competition has now passed and we are no longer accepting any more submissions.
ME Research UK is delighted to announce the launch of the Founders’ Science Writing Award – a competition giving early career researchers the opportunity to develop skills in communicating science in a way that is accessible and engaging to the general public.
ME Research UK was established in 2000 by Dr Vance Spence and Robert McRae, and thanks to the impetus and financial backing of Founding Patron, Roger Jefcoate DL CBE. The Founders’ Science Writing Award is established to honour their foresight in creating a major force in ME/CFS research globally.
While many discoveries have been made in ME/CFS research over the past 23 years, much more research is needed to better understand the causes, consequences and treatment of the disease.
Therefore, the chosen theme for the Founders’ Science Writing Award this year is “The Future of ME/CFS Research”. ME Research UK invites entrants to consider where they believe the future of biomedical research into ME/CFS lies – this could be specifically in relation to their own area of research, or a wider take on what they perceive to be the future of research into ME/CFS.
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 the winning entries will be published by ME Research UK.
Opening date
1 May 2024 at 12 noon BST
Closing date
25 July 2024 at 5 p.m. BST
Maximum length
1,000 words
Theme
The Future of ME/CFS Research
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 2024.
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 25 July 2024. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.
