2026
Apr
Invest in ME Research
Independent UK charity
funding and facilitating biomedical research
into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)
Invest in ME Research (IiMER) is an independent UK charity funding and facilitating high-quality biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).
The charity is 100% volunteer-run - with no salaries - ensuring that every donation goes fully and directly to the areas that matter:
- A strategic programme of biomedical ME research
- A UK/European Centre of Excellence
- International ME conference weeks
- European research collaboration
- Celebrating 20 years in 2026 (Charity no. 1153730)
Energising ME Research
Our Next Research Colloquium – #BRMEC15 (27–29 May)
BRMEC15: Bridging Disciplines in ME Research
A unique opportunity for researchers from immunology, genetics, neurobiology and beyond collaborate on ME research.
Whether you are new to the field or already working in ME, your expertise can help make real progress in understanding and treating this complex disease.
“Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
Our International ME Conference Week brochure
Our Conference Week Sponsors
Proud to partner with organisations supporting our research objectives
Current News
2026
Mar
research
Keynote BRMEC15
Our Keynote Speaker at the #BRMEC15 Colloquium announced - Professor Sarah Teichmann
Read More
2026
Mar
research
BRMEC15 Presenters
More presenters at the #BRMEC15 Colloquium announced - a Systems Biology Approach to ME
Read MoreResearch, Education and Advocacy – Made Possible by Our Supporters
Energising Research into ME
The long standing issues with regard to myalgic encephalomyelitis that still exist across Europe and continue to affect people with ME and their families - lack of consistent and accurate diagnosis, lack of standardised up-to-date education about the disease, the lack of high quality biomedical research into ME andclinical trials, caused by lack of any adequate Funding for research. These all help feed misinformation about the disease and subsequent stigmas that permeates societies.
As principled advocates, we stand firm for patient rights without compromise by funding rigorous biomedical
research and facilitating targeted science and education for professionals and policymakers.
We therefore concentrate on three main areas -
RESEARCH
Biomedical ME research funding
UK Centre of Excellence hub
PhDs, Fellowships, Med. Students
European research network
EDUCATION
20 years of ME conferences
Online research videos
Clinical guidelines
InfoCentre of articles
ADVOCACY
Patient rights & representation
Parliament briefings & debates
European ME Alliance member
Principled advocacy
Why Our Efforts Matter
Millions live with ME/CFS without effective treatment or understanding.
Invest in ME Research is not an organisation that is content just to exist for the sake of existing.
Our efforts are designed to transform the future for people with ME and their families
through rapid progress from collaborative biomedical research and improved education about the disease.
ME - What it IS…
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME, sometimes referred to as ME/CFS) is an acquired and disabling, " serious, chronic, complex, and systemic disease associated with neurological, immunological, autonomic, and energy metabolism dysfunction ". It is classified as a neurological disorder by the World Health Organization (WHO) under ICD-11 Code: 8.E49 (previously ICD-10 G93.3).
Advocacy for ME
The following documents are some of the statements from the charity on major topics.
20 years Investing in ME Research
Research Collaboration
Collaboration has been central to Invest in ME Research’s efforts since our second international ME conference in London in 2007.
We are a founding member of the
European ME Alliance,
working with advocates, researchers, research organisations and physicians
to accelerate biomedical research into ME and improve care. We initiated and
facilitated the European ME Research Group (EMERG)
– a collaborative
network of researchers and institutes across Europe – and the European ME Clinicians Council (EMECC) to strengthen scientific and clinical
collaboration. Invest in ME Research also initiated and supports Young EMERG, the EMERG early-career researcher network.
Together with our annual research colloquiums, these initiatives help build future research capacity and provide a strong foundation for integrated, collaborative and co‑ordinated European ME research.
“The Young EMERG workshop in Vienna was exceptionally well organised, with engaging and relevant content
throughout.
It was inspiring to see young researchers exploring diverse approaches to ME/CFS.
The programme was enriched by activities and the chance to connect with fellow researchers.
My expectations were high, yet the workshop exceeded them.
I am deeply grateful to the UK charity Invest in ME Research for supporting my participation.”
Aline Zamoro Martinez
MSc Nutrition and Health
Wageningen University & Research
Our Next International ME Conference Week
The 2026 international conference week occurs from 25-29 May 2026.
Latest/Upcoming Events
Organised by Invest in ME Research
The seventh workshop young / early career researchers in the series since 2018.
Organised by the charity for and in
association with the
European ME Research Group Early Career Researcher network Young EMERG.
More details here
#EMERG26 - This year a full day in person meeting for the European ME Research Group (EMERG) will
take place to discuss project work and future research
More details here
#BRMEC15 - our fifteenth international Biomedical Research into ME Colloquium -
with delegates and speakers from over 20 countries
More details here
#IIMEC18 - our eighteenth international Biomedical Research into ME Colloquium -
now merged with the final day of the #BRMEC15 colloquium where researchers, clinicians and
patients can come together to share knowledge of ME
More details here
Get Involved
Every breakthrough in ME research starts with people - like us, like you. Whether through a donation, organising a local fundraiser, or joining our research collaborations, your support directly funds biomedical studies that will change lives. No expensive salaries, no waste, direct to making progress.
Your gift funds PhD students, research fellows, medical students, European collaborations, and our work promoting a Centre of Excellence.
Direct Ways to Donate to Invest in ME Research
There are several options to support the charity via direct methods such as bank transfer and direct donations.
Click the donate button to go to the funding page for more details.
Use Our Website
Research
Our research strategy and the research funded by the charity
Information
Information and articles about ME
Conferences
Our annual international Colloquiums/Conferences
Fundraising
Details of our fundraising activities and how to help us
About Us
More information about the charity
Advocacy
Principled advocacy for the benefir of people with ME and their families
News
Current and archived news
Centre of Excellence for ME
Our proposal for a UK Centre of Excellence for ME
Education
Useful educational aids for ME awareness
European Collaboration
Founder member of the European ME Alliance (EMEA) – working together across Europe