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Epilepsy Foundation Of America

Annual Giving
$1.0M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1+ million in research grants and fellowships
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (two funding cycles per year)
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $500,000
  • Geographic Focus: United States (primarily early-career researchers)

Contact Details

Headquarters:
Epilepsy Foundation
3540 Crain Highway, Suite 675
Bowie, MD 20716

Phone:

  • Main: 301-459-3700
  • Toll-Free: 1-800-332-1000

Email:

Website: epilepsy.com/research-funding

Overview

Founded in 1968, the Epilepsy Foundation of America (EIN 52-0856660) is the leading national organization serving the estimated 3.4 million people in the United States living with epilepsy. Over its 48-year research funding history, the Foundation has provided more than $65 million for epilepsy research, supporting 3,076 investigators and specialists in their early careers. Since 2003, the Foundation has provided funding to half of the therapies in the epilepsy clinical pipeline. Led by President and CEO Bernice "Bee" Martin Lee since July 2023, the Foundation's mission is to improve the lives of people affected by epilepsy through education, advocacy, research, and connection. In 2024, the Foundation received recognition through its Lifetime Accelerator Award program and awarded $200,000 at its 12th Annual Shark Tank Competition for innovative epilepsy solutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Epilepsy Foundation awards over $1 million annually through various grant and fellowship programs, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $500,000 and an average award of approximately $25,000.

Research Grant Programs:

  • Susan S. Spencer Clinical Research Training Fellowship in Epilepsy - Two-year award supporting clinical research training (partnership with American Epilepsy Society, American Brain Foundation, and American Academy of Neurology)
  • Junior Investigator Awards - Support for researchers who have recently started their own independent labs
  • Kevin Andrew Mateczun Memorial Student Award - $3,000 for summer research projects for students in health sciences and behavioral sciences
  • Targeted Research Programs - Pilot grant funding for priority topics including SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) and medical marijuana research
  • My Seizure Gauge Initiative - Multi-million dollar grants for seizure forecasting technology development ($3 million awarded in 2018)
  • New Therapy Grants - Awards through the Epilepsy Research Foundation for translational research
  • Shark Tank Competition - Annual innovation awards ($200,000 awarded in 2024 to two startups)

Application Method: Two funding cycles per year; not all programs offered in each cycle. Specific deadlines and application methods vary by program.

Priority Areas

The Foundation's research initiatives focus on:

  • Innovation programs that test new ideas and follow new research leads
  • Engagement programs that improve communication between people with epilepsy, families, and researchers
  • Digital tools that support research infrastructure
  • Early-career researcher support through funding, training, and apprenticeship
  • Therapy development covering all parts of the pipeline from idea to market
  • SUDEP prevention research to identify causes and prevention strategies
  • Seizure forecasting technology and biosensor development
  • Targeted populations and comorbidities: women with epilepsy, youth, seniors, health outcomes, morbidity and mortality, mood disorders, and cognition
  • Translational research that leads to better treatments and care

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation's research grants are specifically focused on epilepsy research and primarily support early-career investigators and clinical fellows. While not explicitly stated, the Foundation does not fund:

  • Established researchers outside their early-career focus
  • Non-research activities unrelated to epilepsy
  • International research unless part of specific collaborative initiatives

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO:
Bernice "Bee" Martin Lee assumed the role in July 2023, bringing 25 years of experience in nonprofit management and healthcare. As a woman of color living with epilepsy, she passionately champions health equity and social impact. Lee stated that the Foundation's mission "acknowledge[s] the challenges people with epilepsy may face, while empowering them to navigate their individual journeys with knowledge and hope."

Board Chair:
Courtney Genosi Caputo, Senior VP of Government Relations at Parsons Corporation in Virginia

Board Officers:

  • Josh Golden, Vice Chair - Chief Marketing Officer at Quad in New York
  • Angelica Roiz, Chair of the Audit Committee - Partner at Grant Thornton, LLP in Pennsylvania
  • David Hawk, Chair of the Finance & Investment Committee - CEO-CIO at Hawk Investments, L.P. in Nebraska
  • Jeff Parent, Chair Emeritus - COO of AutoNation in Florida

Recent Board Additions (October 2025):
Jeannine Garab, Anna Milz MD MPH, and Kathleen W. Tregoning

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Epilepsy Foundation operates two funding cycles per year, though not all programs are offered in each cycle. Application processes vary by program:

  1. Review current grant opportunities at epilepsy.com/research-funding/about/grants
  2. Verify eligibility requirements for specific programs (early-career researchers, clinical fellows, students, etc.)
  3. Contact grants@efa.org with questions about specific programs
  4. Submit applications according to program-specific deadlines and requirements

Many programs are offered in partnership with the American Epilepsy Society (AES) and follow collaborative review processes.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by program and funding cycle. The Foundation has two review cycles per year, with specific notification timelines not publicly disclosed. Researchers should expect several weeks to months for review depending on the grant program.

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose application numbers or success rates. However, the Foundation has funded 3,076 investigators and specialists over its history, demonstrating substantial reach in supporting early-career researchers.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not publicly detailed. Applicants should contact grants@efa.org for information about reapplying after an unsuccessful submission.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Research Philosophy

CEO Bernice Martin Lee emphasized that the Foundation connects "people to treatment, support, and resources; leads advocacy efforts; funds innovative research and the training of specialists; and educates the public about epilepsy and seizure first aid."

What the Foundation Values

The Foundation's research priorities are community-driven. The Epilepsy Innovation Institute (Ei2) research areas are selected based on community surveys asking people impacted by epilepsy what they would like researchers to focus on. For example, over 1,000 respondents to a 2016 survey overwhelmingly selected "unpredictability of seizures" as a top issue, which led to the My Seizure Gauge initiative.

Recent Funded Projects as Examples

2024 Shark Tank Winners:

  • Neuronostics ($125,000) - Digital biomarker for epilepsy diagnostic decision support to improve time to diagnosis
  • Neuroview Technology ($75,000) - Small implantable subcutaneous long-term brain monitor using EEG to record and analyze seizure activity

2024 Finalists:

  • Theta Neurotech - Wearable seizure forecasting system alerting patients 30-60 minutes before seizures
  • LAMPSY - Innovation in epilepsy technology

My Seizure Gauge Initiative - $3 million grant (2018) awarded to international team evaluating biosensors for tracking physiology, behavior, and environment to improve seizure forecasting

Strategic Emphasis

The Foundation emphasizes:

  • Excellence, innovation, and radical thinking to find cures
  • Community responsiveness - research that addresses real needs identified by people with epilepsy
  • Translation to practice - developing research that leads to actual therapies and improved care
  • Collaboration - partnerships with AES, American Brain Foundation, and other organizations
  • Early-career support - nurturing the next generation of epilepsy researchers

Partnerships Matter

Many grants are awarded in partnership with the American Epilepsy Society (AES), which pools resources and reduces administrative costs. Applicants should be aware of collaborative opportunities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Community-driven focus: The Foundation prioritizes research addressing needs identified by people living with epilepsy through community surveys - align proposals with patient-identified priorities
  • Early-career emphasis: Most research grants target clinical fellows, recently appointed faculty, and early-career investigators who have recently started independent labs
  • Innovation pipeline: The Foundation seeks "excellence, innovation, and radical thinking" with a particular interest in projects that can move from idea to market
  • Two funding cycles: Plan applications around the Foundation's two annual funding cycles; not all programs are offered each cycle
  • Partnership approach: Many programs are collaborative with AES and other organizations - explore partnership opportunities to strengthen applications
  • Translational focus: Since 2003, the Foundation has funded half the therapies in the epilepsy clinical pipeline - emphasize how research will lead to practical treatments
  • Strategic priorities: Current hot topics include SUDEP prevention, seizure forecasting technology, medical marijuana research, and targeted populations (women, youth, seniors)

References

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