In 2025, RECOVER used many different study methods to understand who is most impacted by Long COVID and why the condition develops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2025, the RECOVER Initiative continued to make progress in its mission to understand, diagnose, prevent, and treat Long COVID. The initiative published nearly 50 scientific papers\u2014including the first RECOVER clinical trial results<\/a>\u2014and researchers and Representatives discussed discoveries with the community through its yearlong RECOVER Research Review (R3) Seminar Series<\/a>. In addition to sharing knowledge, RECOVER continued to make valuable data and biosamples<\/a> available to support additional Long COVID research<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking forward to 2026, RECOVER expects to continue sharing important discoveries about Long COVID. The initiative plans to publish additional results from clinical trials, along with plain language summaries that help the public easily understand the results. In addition, the initiative will move into the next phase of its adult observational study<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year in review showcases the initiative\u2019s work over the last 12 months in the following areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Study progress<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sharing knowledge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Community engagement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2025, the RECOVER Clinical Trials (RECOVER-CT) program completed enrollment for all 8 of its clinical trials. These trials were designed to test 13 possible treatments to see if they could improve a range of Long COVID symptoms, such as fatigue, inability to exercise or complete physical activity, and sleep disturbances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In November 2025, RECOVER published the first results from RECOVER-CT in the journal JAMA Neurology<\/em>. Read results from RECOVER-NEURO Cognitive Dysfunction (BrainHQ, PASC-CoRE, and tDCS)<\/a>, which tested 3 possible treatments to understand whether they could help with cognitive symptoms such as trouble remembering things (brain fog) or problems with focusing and thinking clearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2026, RECOVER expects to publish papers on the designs of its RECOVER-CT trials, as well as results from additional program trials that are testing possible treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more about RECOVER-CT<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, RECOVER-Treating Long COVID (RECOVER-TLC) continues to plan for additional clinical trials. In September, the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) hosted the second annual RECOVER-TLC workshop. During this event, NIH leaders and Long COVID researchers shared updates about RECOVER-TLC, including the 4 possible treatments<\/a> that will be tested during the first round of RECOVER-TLC clinical trials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Between September 2024 and August 2025, members of the Long COVID community submitted almost 600 possible treatments through RECOVER-TLC\u2019s submission portal. These submissions included drugs, medical devices, and health behaviors (like changes to a person\u2019s diet) that might offer relief from Long COVID symptoms. People living with Long COVID submitted most of these possible treatments (72%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Working groups reviewed these submissions and provided feedback to RECOVER-TLC. The working groups focused on different symptoms and possible causes of Long COVID. Based on this feedback, RECOVER-TLC selected the 4 treatments that will be tested first. As researchers develop plans for these 4 clinical trials, they will seek additional input from the public. Learn about opportunities to provide feedback<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RECOVER-TLC is also still accepting treatment ideas through its submission portal. Anyone can submit information<\/a> about a drug, medical device, or other possible treatment that could help people suffering from symptoms of Long COVID.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RECOVER-TLC will also host a webinar on January 23, 2026, to share updates from the initiative. Register to attend.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n In October 2025, RECOVER completed the first phase of the adult observational study, marking an important milestone. Adults and pregnant women participating in the first phase of the study played a critical role in helping researchers better understand Long COVID. These participants contributed to studying how a range of factors can impact Long COVID risk, including sex<\/a>, pregnancy<\/a>, aging<\/a>, and social risk factors<\/a> such as financial hardship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next phase of the adult study will invite a smaller group of participants to help researchers continue learning about how Long COVID affects adults over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The pediatric observational study is ongoing. This year, researchers published a study that identified the most common Long COVID symptoms seen in infants and preschool-aged children<\/a> participating in RECOVER. These findings build on a 2024 RECOVER study that identified common symptoms in children aged 6 to 17<\/a> and improve researchers\u2019 understanding of Long COVID across the lifespan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Explore findings from the adult<\/a>, pregnancy<\/a>, and pediatric<\/a> observational studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RECOVER researchers continue to analyze data in the electronic health records<\/a> (EHRs) of adults and children. The EHRs used for RECOVER studies are drawn from about 40 health systems that are part of the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network<\/a> (PCORnet\u00ae). Researchers designed studies to better understand who develops Long COVID and who does not, which could support prevention strategies. They also used these data to explore long-term problems that people may experience after having COVID.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2025, RECOVER EHR researchers published 26 new manuscripts, including papers that explored how different conditions, such as pregnancy<\/a> or living with HIV<\/a>, may impact Long COVID risk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Explore published findings from EHR studies.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking ahead, EHR researchers from the adult and pediatric studies are working together to study how COVID impacts other health conditions, such as heart problems and cancer. In addition, they are collaborating and sharing information with researchers from other RECOVER studies through the following work:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year, RECOVER released a new Research Opportunity Announcement<\/a> that will provide funding for approved pathobiology studies. Researchers are invited to submit proposals<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, researchers with currently funded pathobiology studies<\/a> worked to understand what happens inside the bodies<\/a> of people who have Long COVID. In March, the program launched 20 new studies that were funded in 2024 by a previous Research Opportunity Announcement (ROA)<\/a>. These studies use RECOVER data and biosamples, along with samples collected outside of RECOVER, to answer additional questions about Long COVID. Researchers have continued to learn how to use NHLBI BioData Catalyst\u00ae to access and work with RECOVER data. They are also able to take courses created by the Network of Biostatisticians for RECOVER<\/a> to support their understanding and analysis of the data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RECOVER continues to work closely with funded research teams to ensure that they receive data and biosamples that fit their study designs and research aims. Research teams requested biosamples from the adult, pediatric, and tissue pathology (autopsy) studies. So far, 11 of the 20 new pathobiology studies have begun receiving biosamples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pathobiology researchers are also beginning to share early findings through presentations within RECOVER, conference abstracts, and draft articles in preparation for journal submission. In November, 6 pathobiology researchers presented their work at the 3rd Long COVID International Conference<\/a> in Boston. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Study progress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Clinical trials complete enrollment and publish first results<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
RECOVER-TLC will test 4 possible treatments for Long COVID<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Adult observational study enters its next phase<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Researchers publish findings about COVID and Long COVID drawn from electronic health records<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Pathobiology program launches new studies, distributes biosamples, and strengthens collaborations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
RECOVER tissue pathology (autopsy) study<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n