# Promising Medicines for ME/CFS — Call Drug Repurposing **Funder:** ZonMw **Budget:** €600k–€1M per project (total pool €3.5M) **Deadline:** 8 September 2026 (Deadline for detailed grant application: 8 September 2026, 14:00 CEST. Earlier project idea deadline was 17 March 2026 (closed). Response to referees: 4 November 2026.) **Duration:** Up to 4 years **Consortium:** No **Application:** 2-stage: project idea submission (closed 17 March 2026) → full grant application (8 September 2026) → referee response (4 November 2026) → decision February 2027 **Frequency:** One-off **Eligible countries:** NL **Official call:** https://www.zonmw.nl/en/subsidy/promising-medicines-mecfs-call-drug-repurposing **Last verified:** 24 June 2026 ## Eligibility & scope Funds clinical research (Proof of Concept or Clinical Validation studies) into drug repurposing of existing off-patent medicines for ME/CFS patients in the Netherlands. Applicants must be Dutch legal entities (public or private law). Non-research organisations must provide ≥50% co-financing. Proposals must be written in English. ## Summary The ZonMw Promising Medicines for ME/CFS, Call Drug Repurposing funds clinical research into drug repurposing for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients in the Netherlands, with €600,000-€1,000,000 per project over up to four years. The call targets Proof of Concept and Clinical Validation studies using existing, off-patent medicines and is open to Dutch public and private research organisations. This is a one-off call with a two-stage application process; the detailed application deadline is 8 September 2026. ## Who should apply - Clinical researchers and trial coordinators in the Netherlands testing drug repurposing strategies - Dutch public or private research organisations (with non-research bodies needing ≥50% co-financing) - Proof of Concept or Clinical Validation study designs using off-patent existing medicines - Groups positioned to deliver within a four-year timeline with clear clinical endpoints ## Key dates - Detailed application deadline: 8 September 2026, 14:00 CEST (project ideas closed 17 March 2026) - Multi-stage timeline: referee comments due 14 October 2026, response deadline 4 November 2026, decision expected February 2027 - Project duration: up to four years ## Tips for applicants - This is a one-off call with a closed project-idea stage; focus your detailed application on feasibility and clinical endpoints for the specific repurposed medicine. - If your organisation is not a research entity, budget for 50% co-financing to satisfy funder requirements; this shapes project scope upfront. - ME/CFS is rare and heterogeneous; use the detailed application to justify patient selection criteria and outcome measures that ZonMw panels will recognise as robust. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much can I request in the ZonMw ME/CFS drug repurposing call? €600,000-€1,000,000 per project, with a total call pool of €3.5M. ### What types of studies does the ZonMw ME/CFS call fund? Proof of Concept and Clinical Validation studies testing the safety and efficacy of existing, off-patent medicines in ME/CFS patients. ### Can non-Dutch organisations apply to the ZonMw ME/CFS call? Only Dutch legal entities (public or private law) are eligible; non-research organisations must provide at least 50% co-financing. ### What is the deadline for the ZonMw ME/CFS drug repurposing detailed application? 8 September 2026, 14:00 CEST; the project-idea submission deadline was 17 March 2026 and is now closed. ### Is the ZonMw ME/CFS call going to run again? This is a one-off call, not a recurring programme. --- Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/zonmw-promising-medicines-for-me-cfs-call-drug-repurposi-2026-09) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying. **See which EU calls match your profile.** [Preview your matches in 30 seconds, no signup](https://grantsby.eu/demo?ref=llm_grant_md).