Research

Epilepsy Foundation » Research » Grant and Fellowship Opportunities 

Grant & Fellowship Opportunities

The Epilepsy Foundation supports a series of grants to advance the understanding of epilepsy that will lead to better treatment, more effective prevention, and ultimately to a cure. Our grants fund a wide range of researchers including students, junior level and senior level investigators. For researchers intending to apply for a grant, please download the information and instructions for each program.

FALL PROGRAMS: Proposals due August 29, 2008
*Applications are now available for the following grants and fellowships:

Research Grants Program
Predoctoral Research Training Fellowship
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Research and Training Fellowships for Clinicians (October 1, 2008 deadline)
Partnership for Pediatric Epilepsy Research
New Therapy Grants Program information

SPRING PROGRAMS: Proposals due March 2, 2009
*Application instructions will be available Fall 2008 for the following grants and fellowships:

Behavioral Sciences Post-Doctoral Fellowship
Behavioral Sciences Student Fellowship
Health Sciences Student Fellowship
Targeted Research Initiative for Mood Disorders
Targeted Research Initiative for Seniors
Targeted Research Initiative for Health Outcomes
New Therapy Grants Program information

*Applications will be accepted only through ProposalCENTRAL.



Research Grants Program

The Research Grants Program stimulates epilepsy research by providing funding for investigators in the early stages of their careers. Seed grants are awarded to clinical investigators or basic scientists for support of biological or behavioral research which will advance the understanding, treatment, and prevention of epilepsy. Applications from established investigators (Associate Professor level or above) are ineligible.

» Return to top



Predoctoral Research Training Fellowship

The Predoctoral Research Training Fellowship supports pre-doctoral students with dissertation research related to epilepsy, thus strengthening their interest in establishing epilepsy research as a career direction. Graduate students must be matriculating in a full-time doctoral (Ph.D.) program with an academic career focus.  Areas of interest considered include, but are not limited to neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, psychology, biochemistry, genetics, nursing, or pharmacy may apply. ($20,000/year)


» Return to top



Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship develops academic physicians and scientists committed to research related to epilepsy. Applications are considered equally from individuals interested in acquiring experience either in basic laboratory research or in the conduct of human clinical studies. Physicians or Ph.D. neuroscientists who desire postdoctoral research experience are eligible to apply. ($45,000/year)

» Return to top



Research and Training Fellowships for Clinicians

The Research and Training Fellowships for Clinicians is for clinically trained professionals. This fellowship is one-year of supervised study and research. Individuals with an MD or DO who will have completed residency training in neurology, neurosurgery, pediatrics, internal medicine, or psychiatry by the time the fellowship commences may apply. Other clinically trained professionals (i.e. PharmD, Doctor of Nursing) are also eligible to apply. ($50,000/year, up to 2 years)

» Return to top



Partnership for Pediatric Epilepsy Research

The Partnership for Pediatric Epilepsy Research is a consortium of organizations and individuals working to support innovative research into pediatric epilepsy, its causes, and potential avenues for new treatments and cures. The consortium is supporting novel, investigator-initiated studies which emphasize pediatric epilepsies, and specifically focus on increasing knowledge of causes and promoting innovative treatment approaches and a cure for epilepsies that begin in infancy and childhood. Both clinical and basic projects are of interest, using a variety of disciplinary approaches. Investigators must hold a relevant advanced degree (M.D. and/or Ph.D.) and have completed all research training. Open to investigators based at corporations as well as academic/university settings, the award may be funded up to $100,000 for one to three years based on need and timetable for the proposed work.

» Return to top



Behavioral Sciences Post-Doctoral Fellowship

  • Application Deadline: March 2, 2009
  • Award Amount: $40,000/year
  • Program information and instructions available Fall 2008

The Behavioral Sciences Post-Doctoral Fellowship develops excellent behavioral scientists to teach the appropriate psychosocial intervention techniques used in working with people with epilepsy, and contributes to the body of behavioral research in epilepsy. Individuals who will have received their doctoral degrees in a field of the social sciences by the time the Fellowship commences, and desire additional postdoctoral research experience, may apply. ($40,000/year)

» Return to top



Behavioral Sciences Student Fellowship

  • Application Deadline: March 2, 2009
  • Award Amount: $3,000 stipend
  • Program information and instructions available Fall 2008

The Behavioral Sciences Student Fellowship stimulates individuals to pursue careers in epilepsy in either research or practice settings. Appropriate fields include sociology, social work, psychology, anthropology, nursing, economics, vocational rehabilitation, counseling, political science, and others relevant to epilepsy research or practice. Both graduate and undergraduate students are eligible. ($3,000 stipend)

» Return to top



Health Sciences Student Fellowship

  • Application Deadline: March 2, 2009
  • Award Amount: $3,000 stipend
  • Program information and instructions available Fall 2008

The Health Sciences Student Fellowship stimulates individuals to pursue careers in epilepsy in either research or practice settings. Predoctoral training students in the Health Sciences may be accepted at any point in their schooling-following acceptance but before beginning the first year, or in the period immediately following their final year. ($3,000 stipend)

» Return to top



Targeted Research Initiative for Mood Disorders

  • Application Deadline: March 2, 2009
  • Award Amount: up to $100,000 for one year
  • Program information and instructions available Fall 2008

The Targeted Research Initiative for Mood Disorders supports research leading to new insights into the diagnosis etiology, complications and treatment of persons with epilepsy and mood disorders. Both clinical and basic projects are of interest, using a variety of disciplinary approaches. Investigators must hold a relevant advanced degree (M.D. and/or Ph.D.) and have completed all research training. Open to investigators based at corporations as well as academic/university settings.

Applicants may request up to $100,000 for one year. Grants awarded for higher than $50,000 per year are based on funds available and may be offered if the applicant proposes particularly meritorious work and has provided clear justification based on need and timetable of the work proposed.

» Return to top



Targeted Research Initiative for Seniors

  • Application Deadline: March 2, 2009
  • Award Amount: up to $100,000 for one year
  • Program information and instructions available Fall 2008

The Targeted Research Initiative for Seniors is looking for interested investigators to conduct pilot research in the fundamental knowledge of aging and epilepsy; diagnosis of partial seizures; and epilepsy therapeutics in the elderly. Investigators must hold a relevant advanced degree (M.D. and/or Ph.D.) and have completed all research training.

Applicants may request up to $100,000 for one year. Grants awarded for higher than $50,000 per year are based on funds available and may be offered if the applicant proposes particularly meritorious work and has provided clear justification based on need and timetable of the work proposed.

» Return to top



Targeted Research Initiative for Health Outcomes

  • Application Deadline: March 2, 2009
  • Award Amount: up to $100,000 for one year
  • Program information and instructions available Fall 2008

This initiative targets an important need for research to understand how different components of health care systems affect outcomes in people with epilepsy. The purpose of this initiative is to support research that generates initial data leading to more extensive projects that will generate knowledge that will ultimately improve the healthcare of persons with epilepsy. The broad focus of the proposal includes methodological aspects of health and outcome measurement, health care needs assessment, nature and determinants of disparities in healthcare and methods of health care delivery. Investigators must hold a relevant advanced degree (M.D. and/or Ph.D.) and have completed all research training. Open to investigators based at corporations as well as academic/university settings.

Applicants may request up to $100,000 for one year. Grants awarded for higher than $50,000 per year are based on funds available and may be offered if the applicant proposes particularly meritorious work and has provided clear justification based on need and timetable of the work proposed.

» Return to top



New Therapy Grants Program Information

The Epilepsy Research Foundation was created through a partnership between the Epilepsy Foundation and The Epilepsy Therapy Development Project. The Epilepsy Research Foundation's New Therapy Grants Program supports the development of more effective therapies by serving as a catalyst for moving innovative therapies from the laboratory to the patient. Investigators must hold a relevant advanced degree (M.D., and/or Ph.D.), and have completed all research training. This call for proposals is open to investigators at corporations as well as the academic/university arena.

New Therapy Grants Program information and application instructions.


Additional Questions?

If you have any questions regarding grant and fellowship opportunities, please feel free to contact Research Web Support.