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<p>In the period in question, the major National Institute for Health Research funding
for biomedical research was through its Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs) and Units.
These support research funded by the NIHR itself and also research funded by other
public, charity and industry research funders. Prior to the financial year 2104-15,
the way data was collected does not allow us to directly report the level of funding
for biomedical research into chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).
Three BRCs were supporting biomedical research into CFS/ME during this time period.</p><p>
</p><p>The NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) provides the infrastructure that allows
high-quality clinical research funded by charities, research funders and life-sciences
industry to be delivered throughout the National Health Service. The level of funding
for biomedical research into CFS/ME for each financial year supported by the CRN can
be found in the following table. The funding for this research came from a combination
of the Medical Research Council (MRC) and medical research charities. Expenditure
from the CRN itself is also outlined below:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial
Year</p></td><td><p>Research funding £</p></td><td><p>CRN expenditure £</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>43,467</p></td><td><p>5,217</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>114,349</p></td><td><p>13,616</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>171,860</p></td><td><p>21,353</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p>The MRC spend on research directly relating to CFS/ME can be found in the following
table. The MRC does not classify research in the area by type and is therefore not
able to include a further breakdown by type of project. Research into CFS/ME is a
continuing priority for the MRC.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial Year</p></td><td><p>£</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>504,194</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>601,509</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p>The NIHR and the MRC welcome funding applications for research into any aspect
of human health, including biomedical research into CFS/ME. It is not usual practice
to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. Applications are subject
to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis
of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for
money and scientific quality.</p><p> </p><p>The NIHR recognises that CFS/ME is a debilitating
condition and is speaking with the United Kingdom CFS/ME Research Collaborative and
patient representatives about how best we can support a joined up approach to high
quality research into this complex disorder.</p>
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