Funding for Established Investigators

Funding is available for basic, translational, and clinical research for epilepsy, seizures, and related disorders. To view the list of opportunities currently accepting applications, visit our Apply Now page.

Proposals are reviewed and selected by the AES Research and Training Council, led by basic and clinical co-chairs.

 

Funding Opportunities

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AES Infrastructure Grants | Facilitate creation of multicenter programs arrow_drop_down

AES Infrastructure Grants provide up to $50,000 to facilitate the creation of national or international multicenter research programs.

Each grant will provide financial support for organizational planning sessions, infrastructure development, and/or pilot projects to enable the research program to compete for subsequent investment by other organizations.

Infrastructure grants are only available in the spring each year.

AES Research & Training Workshop Grants | Support Conference Attendance arrow_drop_down

Research and Training Workshop grants support scientific conferences and workshops that address timely and important topics in epilepsy research.

Awards are typically in the range of $10,000 to $20,000 and are intended to provide partial support for the conference.

Important Dates

 

Download Application Guidelines [PDF]

AES funding may be used for speakers’ transportation and lodging, participation by junior investigators and trainees, the publication of proceedings, and other direct costs, but may not be used for indirect costs.

Applications for workshop funding are reviewed by the AES Research and Training Council, and the number and amount of awards made each year are contingent upon available funds. 

Preference will be given to workshops that include AES members as participants or attendees, that describe plans to support and encourage the participation of trainees and junior investigators, and that allow open attendance rather than participation by invitation only. 

Applications for workshops held outside the United States are generally expected to use AES funds to support participants from the United States, to the extent appropriate and feasible.

AES Seed Grants | Launch New Methods or Collaborations arrow_drop_down

AES Seed Grants offer funds to help enable established investigators to pursue new and innovative lines of research, collaborations, and/or research methods to AES Seed Grants offer up to $20,000 to help enable established investigators to pursue new and innovative lines of research, collaborations, and/or research methods.

What types of research are competitive?
Specific fields of research are competitive for funding from our partners, some of whom have offered to fund a grant in full. If a proposal aligns with the priorities of a partner who will fund in full, some eligibility requirements may be waived and the proposals will compete for a separate pool of funding.

Important Dates

Download Application Guidelines [PDF]

Contributing Partners

The Seed Grant Program is made possible by the generosity of AES members. In addition, the following funding partners will consider providing partial support for grants that both align with their research priorities and successfully compete for AES funds. AES is proud to partner with non-profit organizations to leverage resources and make dollars go further in the support of science.

Interested in partnering? Please email grants@aesnet.org


 About the OrganizationFunding Details
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.
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 funding 50% of a proposal.
curegrin-updated-horizontal-logo-mark-full-color-rgb-1223px@300ppiCureGRIN Foundation focuses on supporting critical components of basic, clinical, and translational research on disorders associated with genetic mutations in ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) including GRIN, GRIA, GRIK, and GRID genes (GRI-Related Disorders). Research priorities include EEG biomarker discovery, evaluation of developmental time windows during which expression of GRI genes could compensate for neurological deficits associated with null or missense variants (rescue window), investigation of the cellular consequences of GRI variants to identify/validate novel disease-modifying therapies, and high-throughput screening of FDA approved medications or other small-molecule libraries to identify novel therapeutics in GRI model systems.CureGRIN 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. Our approaches are to identify and fund projects that overcome critical 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.
TCSF_Logo (1)The Cute Syndrome Foundation funds researchers working to better understand SCN8A epilepsy and supports the families who are affected by this disorder.The Cute Syndrome Foundation will fund 25% of a seed grant focused on SCN8A Epilepsy.
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. 
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 Hamartomas will consider co-funding a research proposal.
NORSE-logo-2 (1) (2)The NORSE Institute aims to build a network of families, clinicians, and basic scientists focused on NORSE (new-onset refractory status epilepticus) and FIRES (febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome, now a subtype of NORSE).NORSE Institute will consider funding a seed grant. Please visit the NORSE Institute website for expanded eligibility criteria.
PAME_Logo_Color640x200Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy (PAME) is interested in funding projects to advance clinical action priorities that will impact SUDEP prevention in the next 5 years including use of seizure detection devices in clinic, leveraging electronic health records to guide clinician actions, and building infrastructure for SUDEP Trials. PAME will consider fully funding up to two proposals.
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 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. They are particularly interested in researching any relationship between epilepsy and the 14th chromosome. Ring14 USA 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 will consider co-funding a research proposal.
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 FoundationTESS 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 will consider co-funding a research proposal.