Early Career Funding

Fueled by the commitment to developing the next generation of epilepsy investigators and realizing our vision of eradicating epilepsy, the American Epilepsy Society is one of the largest non-governmental funders for those starting careers in epilepsy research. 

AES research dollars support trainees, fellows, and newly independent investigators working across the full spectrum of epilepsy research, from basic science to translational and clinical research for all types of epilepsies, seizures, and related conditions. 

These grants are made possible by the generosity of AES members, funding partners, and philanthropic donations to the Susan S. Spencer Fund for clinical research fellowships and the Lennox and Lombroso Trust for research grants and fellowships. 

Early Career Funding Opportunities

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Predoctoral Research Fellowships arrow_drop_down

AES Predoctoral Research Fellowships support predoctoral students who are pursuing dissertation research with an epilepsy-relevant theme, and who are working under the guidance of a mentor with expertise in epilepsy research. Proposals are welcomed across the spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical research.

The fellowship award offers up to $30,000 for stipend and travel support to the AES Annual Meeting for one year, as well as a one-year AES membership. The number of awards granted each year is contingent upon available funds.

 

Important Dates for Applicants

 

 

Download Application Guidelines [PDF]

 

Questions? Contact grants@aesnet.org.

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships arrow_drop_down

AES Postdoctoral Research Fellowships support postdoctoral trainees conducting research into the causes, treatment, and consequences of epilepsy under the guidance of a mentor with expertise in epilepsy research. Proposals are welcomed across the spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical epilepsy research.

The fellowship award offers up to $50,000 for stipend and travel support to the AES Annual Meeting for one year, as well as a one-year AES membership. The number of awards granted each year is contingent upon available funds.

 

Important Dates for Applicants

 

 

Download Application Guidelines [PDF]

 

Questions? Contact grants@aesnet.org.

Research and Training Fellowships for Clinicians arrow_drop_down

 

AES Research and Training Fellowships for Clinicians and the AES Pediatric Research and Training Fellowships for Clinicians provide mentored support for clinical fellows or recently appointed clinical faculty who intend to pursue a career in epilepsy research. Proposals are welcomed across the spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical research.

The fellowship award provides up to $75,000 for one year, of which $1,000 is intended as travel support to attend the AES Annual Meeting. The award also includes one year of AES membership and complimentary registration to the AES Annual Meeting.

 

Important Dates for Applicants

 

 

Download Application Guidelines [PDF]

 

Questions? Contact grants@aesnet.org.

Junior Investigator Awards arrow_drop_down

 

Junior Investigator Awards support research by recently independent investigators with the intent to facilitate successful competition for subsequent longer-term support from the NIH or other sources.

Proposals are welcome across the spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical epilepsy research, including studies of disease mechanisms or treatments, epidemiologic or behavioral studies, the development of new technologies, and health services and outcomes research.

This award provides up to $75,000 for one year to support the direct costs of research, as well as complimentary membership and registration to the AES Annual Meeting for one year. The number of awards granted each year is contingent upon available funds.

 

 

Important Dates for Applicants

 

 

Download Application Guidelines [PDF]

 

Questions? Contact grants@aesnet.org.

The Epilepsy Study Consortium Mini-Grant arrow_drop_down

 

The Epilepsy Study Consortium is sponsoring a mini-grant of up to $22,000 for epilepsy fellows to undertake a mentored research project on anti-epileptic drug therapy during their fellowship training.

The award does not require past experience with research or a specific percent protected time for research but instead focuses on the mentorship and training experience for the fellow. Applicants may request funding periods of six months to one year.

Research must focus on anti-epileptic drug therapy. Clinical or basic science research may be proposed, and funds may be used to support a limited research project, or for the collection of preliminary data leading to a larger research effort.

 

Important Dates for Applicants

 

 

Download Application Guidelines [PDF]

 

Questions? Contact grants@aesnet.org.

Susan S. Spencer Clinical Research Training Fellowship in Epilepsy arrow_drop_down

The Susan S. Spencer Clinical Research Training Fellowship in Epilepsy was established in memory of Susan S. Spencer, MD, a past president of the American Epilepsy Society who was professor of neurology at the Yale University School of Medicine and medical director of the epilepsy program at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Following her untimely death in the Spring of 2009, this fellowship was created to foster the development of investigators interested in pursuing careers in patient-oriented research.

The award is funded by the American Epilepsy Society, Epilepsy Foundation, and American Brain Foundation, in collaboration with the American Academy of Neurology.

The award totals $150,000 and is distributed over two years. Applicants must submit their research plan and biosketch in advance with sufficient time allotted for additional materials to be submitted by their chair, mentor, and references. 

 

 

Important Dates for Applicants

  • June 1, 2024: Applications open
  • September 10, 2024: Application deadline
  • January 2025: Notification of recipients
  • July 1, 2025: Funding begins

 

Questions? Contact grants@aesnet.org.

Sergievsky Award for Epilepsy Health Equity and Diversity arrow_drop_down

 

The Sergievsky Award for Epilepsy Health Equity and Diversity (Sergievsky Award) provides support for physicians and scientists who self-identify as underrepresented populations in the US Biomedical, Clinical, Behavioral, and Social Sciences research enterprise as defined by the NIH.

The intention of this award is to facilitate the launch of individuals into a career of leadership in academic clinical research.  Proposals are welcomed across the spectrum of epilepsy research, with preference for clinical research that addresses issues affecting medically underserved individuals with epilepsy or seizures or related aspects of health equity. The applicant should specify how the project addresses the main goals of the award.

 

 

Important Dates for Applicants

  • September 2024: Application submission open via ProposalCentral
  • January 16, 2025: Proposal deadline
  • By May 31, 2025: Award notifications sent
  • July 1, 2025: Earliest award start date (may be delayed up to three months)
  • June 30, 2026: Year one progress report due
  • July 1, 2027: Year two start date
  • June 30, 2027: Award end

 

 

Download Application Guidelines [PDF]

 

Questions? Contact grants@aesnet.org.

Supporters and Contributing Partners

In addition to funding from AES, funding may be available from partner organizations for the Predoctoral, Postdoctoral, Research and Training Fellowships for Clinicians, and Junior Investigator Research Awards.

Some partners will support a proposal in full, with money earmarked for a quality proposal that aligns with their priorities. Other partners will help to support a proposal that aligns with their priorities if it competes successfully for AES co-funding.

AES is proud to partner with other non-profit organizations to leverage resources and make dollars go further to support scientists. Our partnerships have built-in flexibility to accommodate partners of all sizes and to allow both the partners and AES to decide whether a given proposal is the right one for their funds.

Interested in partnering? Please email grants@aesnet.org.

 About the OrganizationFunding Details
The Coalition to Cure CHD2 works to improve the lives of those affected by CHD2-related disorders by funding research necessary to find a cure. The Coalition is interested in funding research related to CHD2-related rare epilepsies (Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Jeavons Syndrome, Doose Syndrome, and West Syndrome).The Coalition to Cure CHD2 will consider co-funding a proposal. 
EFThe Epilepsy Foundation invests in finding new therapies and a cure by funding clinical up-and-coming scientists. One full research grant (Research and Training Fellowship for Clinicians or Junior Investigator Research Award) will be supported; either Junior Investigator Awards or Research and Training Fellowships for Clinicians.
familiesscn2aFamilieSCN2A Foundation hopes to accelerate the development of therapeutic treatments and disease-modifying advancements for those living with changes in the SCN2A gene.Up to one full seed or early-career grant will be funded in full by the FamilieSCN2A Foundation. 
Foundation for Hao-Fountain SyndromeThe Foundation for Hao-Fountain Syndrome is dedicated to those who are affected by a mutation of the USP7 gene. A mutation of USP7 causes a neurodevelopmental disorder called Hao-Fountain Syndrome. Those affected are often developmentally delayed, have white matter abnormalities, seizures, are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and more.The Foundation for Hao-Fountain Syndrome will consider co-funding a proposal on the USP7 gene. 
Cure GABA A VariantsThe mission of Cure GABA-A Variants is to address the urgent need for effective treatments for individuals affected by GABA-A Variants, a group of genetic disorders that cause debilitating neurological symptoms. The organization focuses on understanding the most efficient and effective way to develop potential therapies for GABA-A Variants.Cure GABA-A Variants will consider co-funding a proposal. 
Logan Jett Research FoundationThe Logan Jett Research Foundation helps improve the lives of everyone touched by epilepsy, funding research for treatment options while working toward a cure, and providing a network of resources and support. The Logan Jett Research Foundation will co-fund a pediatric-focused proposal. 
Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy (PAME)Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy (PAME) is interested in funding projects to advance clinical action priorities that will impact SUDEP prevention in the next five years. Of particular interest: (1) Use of seizure detection devices in clinic: How can devices be leveraged for SUDEP prevention in the clinic? How can technology design better meet the identified needs of patients and caregivers? (2) Leverage EHR to guide clinician actions: Where are opportunities to maximize electronic health records (EHR) to guide clinical actions around SUDEP risk mitigation? (3) Projects which include understanding the mechanism of death in a proposed animal model of SUDEPPAME will consider fully funding up to two proposals.
Pediatric Epilepsy Research FoundationThe Pediatric Epilepsy Research Foundation supports research in pediatric epilepsy and other pediatric neurologic conditions, with an emphasis on pediatric neurologists.PERF will support half of a Pediatric Research and Training Fellowship for Clinicians.
The Bow FoundationThe Bow Foundation is focused on supporting research into GNAO1 genetic mutations. The foundation supports research that improves medical understanding and enhances treatment options for patients with GNAO1-related neurodevelopmental disorders.The Bow Foundation will consider co-funding a research proposal.
CureSHANKCureSHANK has a singular purpose: to accelerate the development of cures and treatments for SHANK-related disorders.  CureSHANK works to identify and fund projects that overcome barriers to successful drug development and to coordinate scientific efforts to improve efficiency and speed in the field. CureSHANK will consider co-funding a research proposal.
Hope4Harper LogoHope4Harper is committed to advancing research on the CDKL5 genetic disorder. Hope4Harper will consider co-funding a research proposal.
HHH_logoHope for Hypothalamic Hamartoma (HH) promotes research toward early detection, improved treatments, better living with HH, and cures. Hope for Hypothalamic Hamartoma intends to co-fund a proposal and may also consider funding a proposal in full.
International SCN8A AllianceInternational SCN8A Alliance is committed to accelerating research to bring hope to children struggling with SCN8A mutations. High-priority proposals will either focus directly on SCN8A or investigate factors that contribute to the wide diversity of phenotypes within these genetic disorders, with a particular focus on the most severe phenotypes. They will consider co-funding a research proposal.
Kooken-de Vries Syndrome FoundationThe Koolen-de Vries Syndrome Foundation works to educate, increase awareness, and promote research for the support and enrichment of individuals living with Koolen-de Vries Syndrome and their families.The Koolen-de Vries Syndrome Foundation will consider co-funding a research proposal on the genetic cause of KdVS (KANSL1 gene), its relation to seizures, and treatment-resistant and severe seizures (including ESES/CSWS).

About the organization: The PCDH19 Alliance focuses on raising and directing funds to scientific research with the goal of finding better, more effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure. 

The PCDH19 Alliance will consider co-funding a research proposal.
Phelan-McDermid_2019Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation (PMSF) is a rare disease patient advocacy group that exists to improve the quality of life of people affected by Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS) worldwide by providing family support, accelerating research, and raising awareness.PMSF will consider co-funding a research proposal focused on the connection between seizures and 22q13, and/or the Shank 3 gene.
ring14Ring14 USA funds research on Ring14 Syndrome and other anomalies originating from the 14th chromosome to improve treatments, quality of life, and the understanding of these conditions. Ring14 is interested in researching any relationship between epilepsy and the 14th chromosome. They will consider co-funding a research proposal at 25%.
SLCLogoSLC6A1 Connect funds research that focuses on the development of therapy and biomarkers to improve SLC6A1 patient outcomes.SLC6A1 Connect intends to co-fund a research proposal and may also consider funding a proposal in full.
syngapSRF exists to improve the quality of life of SynGAP1 patients through the research and development of treatments, therapies, and support systems.  SRF welcomes all research that aligns with these goals but is currently prioritizing biomarkers. SRF intends to co-fund a proposal and will also consider funding a proposal in full.
TESS Research Foundation’s mission is to find the best treatment options and ultimately a cure for Citrate Transporter Disorder (SLC13A5 Deficiency), an autosomal recessive epileptic encephalopathy with seizures beginning in infancy. Research priorities include disease model creation, drug screens, clinical biomarkers or surrogate endpoints, and potential treatment modalities.TESS Research Foundation intends to co-fund a proposal and may also consider funding a proposal in full.