National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the primary United States government body responsible for biomedical and health research. It is led by Francis Collins.

Notable announcements

 * In March 2016 the NIH confirmed its goal of wanting to issue an RFA (Request For Application) to fund extramural research, in addition to its own intramural (internal) research.
 * In October 2015 the NIH announced its intention to bolster funding for the disease, following the Institute of Medicine report.  On 3 Nov 2015 Francis Collins appeared on the Charlie Rose show in the United States and reiterated his commitment to ME/CFS disease research. During the interview he stated "I have been puzzled and frustrated how little we understand this condition" and "you are disabled, you are utterly unable to carry out daily activities". The announcement included the formation of the Trans-NIH Working Group.

Clinical Center Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study
In late 2015 the NIH announced its intention to begin an extensive intramural study of around 40 ME/CFS patients, the NIH Post-Infectious ME/CFS Study.

ME/CFS research funding
Patient Jennie Spotila has summarized total ME/CFS NIH funding each year:
 * 2016, 2015 NIH Spending on ME/CFS Studies
 * 2016, NIH: Who Reviewed Grants in 2015
 * 2015, 2014 NIH Spending on ME/CFS Studies
 * 2014, 2013 NIH Spending on CFS Studies
 * 2013, 2012 NIH Spending on CFS Studies
 * 2012, 2011 NIH Spending on CFS Studies

Jennie also tracks NIH RFAs (Requests for Applications) which are invitations from the NIH for researchers to submit applications for funding in specific areas. To date there have been no RFAs for ME/CFS.

The NIH itself also published actual and estimated figures for annual spending for the various diseases.

Notable staff

 * Francis Collins (NIH Director)
 * Walter Koroshetz (Director National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Chair ME/CFS Working Group)
 * Vicky Whittemore (ME/CFS Working Group)
 * Avindra Nath
 * Brian Walitt

Learn more

 * Wikipedia - National Institutes of Health
 * 2011, Demystifying Medicine - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Is there a virus?