National Research & Innovation Center for Long Covid Kicks Off
The Long COVID Foundation (Stichting Long COVID, SLC) today opened its new National Research & Innovation Center in Utrecht, marking a major step forward in the Netherlands’ effort to understand and treat long covid. The centre will serve as a hub for clinicians, scientists and patient representatives, bringing together expertise from hospitals, universities and rehabilitation centres nationwide.
Robust Funding Package Secured
A fundraising campaign led by the SLC has already generated €8 million in commitments from individuals, charities and private donors. The Ministry of Health has pledged an additional €2.5 million, bringing the total start-up budget to €10.5 million. These resources will underwrite a five-year research programme dedicated to uncovering the biological mechanisms behind long covid and developing new diagnostic tools and therapies.
Key Research Objectives
- Pathophysiology: Identify immune, vascular and neurological pathways that drive persistent symptoms
- Biomarker discovery: Develop blood tests and imaging techniques to stratify patients and guide treatment
- Clinical trials: Evaluate repurposed drugs, rehabilitation protocols and innovative interventions
- Quality of life: Assess mental health impacts and long-term functional outcomes
- Data infrastructure: Create a nationwide patient registry to support real-time analysis
Collaborative Network
Over 25 hospitals and 40 rehabilitation centres have signed on to the alliance, including Radboud University Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC and UMC Utrecht. The centre will also partner with patient organisations to ensure that research priorities align with the needs of those living with long covid.
“This is a pivotal moment for everyone affected by long covid,” said Dr Eva Janssen, scientific director of the SLC. “By uniting clinicians, researchers and patients in one coordinated effort, we can accelerate the path from discovery to treatment and improve outcomes for thousands.”
Next Steps
In the coming months, the centre will issue its first calls for proposals, inviting multidisciplinary teams to submit project plans. A steering committee of international experts will oversee scientific quality and ethical standards. Regular updates on progress and emerging findings will be published on the SLC website and shared at national symposia.
As the programme ramps up, researchers hope their work will not only shed light on long covid but also offer insights into other post-viral syndromes, ultimately strengthening the Netherlands’ preparedness for future public health challenges.