AES abides by US government funding sanctions. Currently, sanctioned countries include The Balkans, Belarus, Burma, Cote D'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and Zimbabwe. Individuals from these countries are welcome to submit abstracts for consideration but are not eligible for awards. Travel funding sanction information is up to date at the time of publishing this page and is subject to change. 

During the abstract submission process, submitters are asked if they wish to be considered for an AES travel award. Those who wish to be considered are required to complete additional tasks during submission to determine their eligibility for the requested award(s). The AES Scientific Program Committee selects travel awardees based on abstract ratings and letters of recommendation.

Individuals may receive and be recognized for multiple awards. Recipients of AES research grants, abstract, Fellows or other travel awards or stipends meant to offset annual meeting expenses will only receive one monetary stipend for the event. 

Grass Foundation Young Investigator Award

This award recognizes and honors outstanding young investigators conducting research in basic or clinical neuroscience related to epilepsy. The Grass Foundation and AES combine resources to provide awards to deserving candidates to help support travel costs to present their research at the AES Annual Meeting. Awardees will receive a $1,000 travel stipend and complimentary meeting registration.

Award Criteria and Instructions

• Applicants must be investigators early in their careers, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, residents, clinical fellows, or junior faculty (MD, MD/PhD, PhD, or the equivalent), who are conducting basic or clinical research relating to epilepsy and are less than five years out of postgraduate training.
• Applicant must be the first author on the abstract submitted to AES.
• Applicant must not have received this award in the last five years.
• A letter from your supervisor/mentor/program director, on their institutional letterhead, is required.  This letter must include the applicant’s research focus, role in the abstract, and promise as a future investigator.
• This letter must also confirm that the applicant is less than five years out from postdoctoral training and include the name of the first author along with the title of the abstract.
• This letter must be uploaded via the online abstract submitter with your submission.
• This award provides a $1,000 stipend along with a waiver of the AES Annual Meeting registration fee. Approximately eight awards will be distributed.
• If chosen for this award, you must attend the AES Annual Meeting. If you do not attend the annual meeting, the award will be forfeited.
• The AES Research and Training Council will determine the awardees and notification will be sent via email in September.

These awards are supported in part by the Grass Foundation.

Jack M. Pellock Pediatric Travel Award

The Jack M. Pellock Pediatric Travel Award recognizes the best pediatric paper submitted for the Annual Meeting. Awardees will receive a $1,000 travel stipend and complimentary meeting registration.

Award Criteria and Instructions

• Applicant must be the first author on the abstract submitted to AES.
• Applicant must not have received this award in the last five years.
• A letter from your supervisor/mentor/program director, on their institutional letterhead, is required.  This letter must include the applicant’s research focus, role in the abstract, and promise as a future investigator.
• This letter must also confirm the applicant is less than five years of out postdoctoral training and include the name of the first author along with the title of the abstract.
• This letter must be uploaded via the online abstract submitter with your submission.
• This award provides a $1,000 stipend along with a waiver of the AES Annual Meeting registration fee.
• If chosen for this award, you must attend the AES Annual Meeting. If you do not attend the annual meeting, the award will be forfeited.
• The AES Scientific Program Committee will determine the awardees and notification will be sent via email in September.

These awards are supported by the Jack M. Pellock Pediatric Travel Fund.

Kimford J. Meador Research in Women with Epilepsy Award

This award recognizes an AES member who has done important and recently published research that advances the care of women with epilepsy. The award provides a $1,000 stipend.

Awardee must attend the AES Annual Meeting and the award will be presented in either the Pregnancy Outcomes Special Interest Group or Women’s Issues in Epilepsy Special Interest Group.

• Applicant must be the first author on the abstract submitted to AES.
• Applicant must be an AES member.
• Applicant must not have received this award in the last five years.
• Physicians at the early career level after fellowship and within seven years of completing training, no higher academic title than Assistant Professor, and Instructors may be considered.
• If chosen for this award, you must attend the AES Annual Meeting and the Pregnancy Registry Outcomes SIG (where the award will be presented). If you do not attend the annual meeting and the SIG, the award will be forfeited.
  
• The Meador Award will be granted to your current institution to be used toward your salary to support the continuation of your research in the area of women's health. 

This award is supported by My Epilepsy Story.

Nurse and Advanced Practice Provider Travel Awards

These awards recognize and honor outstanding young investigators with nursing or advanced practice degrees who are conducting epilepsy research. Awardees receive a $1,000 travel stipend.

Award Criteria and Instructions

• Applicant must be a clinical care provider with an MD, DO, PhD, or nursing degree and/or advanced practice (ex: NP, PA) degree
• Applicant must be the first author on the abstract submitted to AES.
• Applicant must not have received this award in the last five years.
• A letter from your supervisor/mentor/program director, on their institutional letterhead, is required.  This letter must include the applicant’s research focus, role in the abstract, and promise as a future investigator.
• This letter must be uploaded via the online abstract submitter with your submission.
• This award provides a $1,000 stipend. Approximately ten awards will be distributed.
• If chosen for this award, you must attend the AES Annual Meeting.  If you do not attend the annual meeting, the award will be forfeited.
• The AES Scientific Program Committee will determine the awardees and notification will be sent via email in September.

Advanced Practice Provider abstract awards are sponsored by SK Life Science, Inc.

Suzanne and Peter Berry International Travel Awards

To recognize and honor young investigators doing research in clinical neuroscience related to epilepsy in Asia, Africa, Oceania, Middle East, or Latin America by supporting travel to present research at the Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society. Awardees receive a $1,000 travel stipend and complimentary meeting registration.

Award Criteria and Instructions

• Applicant must reside in and do research in Asia, Africa, Oceania, Middle East, or Latin America*.
• Applicants must be investigators early in their careers, including graduate students, nurses, social workers, postdoctoral fellows, residents, clinical fellows, or junior faculty (MD, MD/PhD, PhD, or the equivalent), who are conducting clinical neuroscience research related to epilepsy and are less than five years out of postgraduate training.
• Applicant must be the first author on the abstract submitted to AES.
• Applicant must not have received this award in the last five years.
• A letter from your supervisor/mentor/program director, on their institutional letterhead, is required.  This letter must include the applicant’s research focus, role in the abstract, promise as a future investigator along with the name of the first author and the title of the abstract.
• This letter must also confirm the applicant is less than five years of out postdoctoral training and include the name of the first author along with the title of the abstract
• This letter must be uploaded via the online abstract submitter with your submission.
• This award provides a $1,000 stipend along with a waiver of the AES Annual Meeting registration fee. Two awards will be distributed.
• If chosen for this award, you must attend the AES Annual Meeting. If you do not attend the annual meeting, the award will be forfeited.
• The AES Research and Training Council will determine the awardees and notification will be sent via email in September.

These awards are supported by the Suzanne and Peter Berry International Travel Award Fund.

Young Investigator Awards

This award recognizes young investigators conducting basic, translational, or clinical epilepsy research. Awardees receive a $1,200 travel stipend.

Award Criteria and Instructions

• Applicant must be less than five years out of post-doctoral training.
• Applicant must be the first author on the abstract submitted to AES.
• Applicant must not have received this award in the last five years.
• A letter from your supervisor/mentor/program director, on their institutional letterhead, is required.  This letter must include the applicant’s research focus, role in the abstract, promise as a future investigator along with the name of the first author and the title of the abstract.
• This letter must also confirm the applicant is less than five years of out postdoctoral training and include the name of the first author along with the title of the abstract
• This letter must be uploaded via the online abstract submitter with your submission.
• This award provides a $1,200 stipend.  Approximately 20 awards will be distributed.
• If chosen for this award, you must attend the AES Annual Meeting. If you do not attend the annual meeting, the award will be forfeited.
• The AES Scientific Program Committee will determine the awardees and notification will be sent via email in September.

AES will announce awardees and their posters in the program book, abstract guide, and/or equivalent print or digital publications.