Overview
The Young EMERG 2026 Symposium for Promoting the Advancement of Research Knowledge in ME (SPARK ME), is a continuation of this unique gathering tailored for young and early career researchers, and medical students, passionate about advancing research in ME and post-viral illnesses.
This event is being planned for 25 - 26 May 2026 at the prestigious Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge, UK.
SPARK ME is a hybrid event organised by Young EMERG - the European ME Research Group Young/Early Career Researcher network - and UK charity Invest in ME Research.
SPARK ME aims to facilitate collaboration, knowledge exchange, and networking among early career researchers in the field of ME.
The event offers a safe space for early career researchers to discuss challenges and gain valuable insights into pursuing ME research.
Through engaging talks, participants will be equipped with knowledge of postdoctoral research funding opportunities, career development and ME/CFS study design and much more!At SPARK ME, early career researchers have the opportunity to showcase their work through oral and poster presentations.
More details will be announced in the lead-up to the events of 2026.
In the meantime, the Young EMERG workshop of 2025 takes place on 26-27 May - details here
2026 Conference Week Events
The International ME conference Week events have been arranged for 25 - 29 May 2026.
For more information visit https://www.investinme.org/meconferenceweek2026
Venue
The conference will take place on the Wellcome Genome Campus at Hinxton Hall, between London and Cambridge.
Hinxton Hall Conference Centre is located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, alongside research institutions that are at the forefront of the genomics revolution. Hinxton Hall Conference Centre blends stunning contemporary architecture with state-of-the-art facilities, alongside a Grade II* listed country house, all set within a beautiful, rural 100 acre estate bordering the River Cam.
This location is near to Cambridge as well as a short drive from London Stansted airport.
There is also a direct link to London Stansted from central London.
This venue offers a number of advantages for assisting in our objectives of building collaboration and expanding knowledge.
Sponsorship
Young EMERG offers hope for building the future for research into myalgic encephalomyelitis.
The Young EMERG ECR events are arranged and funded by UK Charity Invest in ME Research, a founder member of the European ME Alliance, as part of their strategy to energise research into ME by building European networks for researchers, clinicians, patient groups and, now, early career researchers.
Support for this strategy is welcome and by sponsoring the workshop you will be providing encouragement for new researchers to enter the field and more awareness and knowledge of ME to be propagated.
The workshop initiates the International ME Conference Week 2026 Contact us if interested in becoming a sponsor of the Young EMERG SPARK ME workshop and wish to discuss the opportunities.
Past Workshops
Past early career researcher workshops have been hosted in both the UK and US, by Invest in ME Research and NIH, respectively.
Past workshops can be viewed via the link below.