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Predoctoral Research Fellowships

American Epilepsy Society

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
September 2025	Application submission open through ProposalCentral
January 22, 2026 at 5pm EST	Proposal deadline
By May 31, 2026	Award notifications sent
July 1, 2026	Earliest award start date (start may be delayed up to three months)

AI Based Application Success Predictor

Based on what similar neurological/epilepsy foundations value (and what successful applications tend to share), the following traits help:

1. Clear Relevance to Epilepsy / Seizure Disorders / Neurologic Outcomes

The research question must be directly tied to epilepsy: mechanisms of seizure generation, epileptogenesis, treatment strategies, comorbidities (cognitive, psychiatric), biomarkers, epidemiology, etc.

Clinical, translational or basic science is acceptable — but relevance to epilepsy must be central.

Predictor: The tighter and clearer the epilepsy connection, the better.

2. Strong Scientific Merit, Innovation & Potential for Impact

Novel hypotheses, new therapeutic/diagnostic approaches, or underexplored aspects of epilepsy pathophysiology tend to stand out.

Projects that have potential to lead to better treatment, understanding of disease, improved patient outcomes, or new research directions are preferred.

For clinical proposals: feasible interventions, measurable outcomes, realistic patient-impact potential.

Predictor: Innovation + medical relevance + translational or long-term impact potential increases fundability.

3. Rigorous, Feasible Study Design and Realistic Scope

For basic science: robust methodology, appropriate models, controls, clear endpoints.

For clinical/ translational research: appropriate design (cohort, trial, observational), clear inclusion/exclusion criteria, statistical plan, sample size considerations.

Given many AES grants are moderate in size — proposals should have realistic aims (often 2–3), reasonable timelines (1–2 years), and deliverable milestones.

Predictor: Focused, feasible, well-designed proposals beat over-ambitious ones.

4. Investigator Credentials / Institutional Support / Resources

For early-career or fellowship applicants: evidence of mentorship, training environment, access to necessary infrastructure (labs, clinical population, EEG/video-EEG, imaging, data analysis support).

For established investigators: prior publications in epilepsy or neuroscience, track record, or preliminary data to support proposed work.

Institutional commitment (protected time, support for human/animal subjects, collaborators) enhancing feasibility.

Predictor: Strong investigator profile + institutional backing = higher confidence in success.

5. Preliminary Data or Proof-of-Concept (If Required)

For translational or therapeutic proposals, having pilot data (animal model results, in vitro data, preliminary human data) helps establish feasibility and credibility.

For early-stage or exploratory work: a well-argued rationale, supported by literature or smaller pilot data, may suffice — but the logic must be solid.

Predictor: Demonstrated feasibility or solid proof-of-concept increases competitiveness.

6. For Clinical or Human Research — Ethical / Practical Realism + Patient-Centered Outcomes

Inclusion of realistic recruitment plans, ethical oversight (IRB / IACUC), risk-benefit analysis, consent procedures, patient follow-up, data confidentiality.

Outcomes that matter to patients: seizure frequency/severity, quality of life, comorbidities, side-effect profiles, functional outcomes.

Predictor: Realistic, ethical, patient-oriented design weighs strongly.

7. Clear Path Toward Future Funding or Scaling (for Larger Impact)

AES-funded pilot studies are often stepping stones — reviewers look for evidence that results could translate into larger funded studies (NIH, multicenter trials) or real-world clinical application.

A well-articulated plan for dissemination (publications, conference presentations) and next steps improves competitiveness.

Predictor: Projects with a roadmap beyond the grant period are more attractive.

8. Good Grant Writing — Clarity, Organization & Strong Justification

Clear background/rationale, structured aims, methodology, expected outcomes, and innovation.

Realistic budget matching scope.

Clear statement of significance and how the work fills a gap or advances the field.

Predictor: Well-written, logically organized proposals with solid justification tend to outperform weaker ones.

⚠️ Common Pitfalls / What Weak Applications Look Like

Proposals only tangentially related to epilepsy (e.g. generic neuroscience, but weak link to seizures).

Over-ambitious plans with too many aims or unrealistic timelines for grant size.

Poor methodology or lack of feasibility (e.g. inadequate sample size, missing power analysis, unrealistic recruitment).

Lack of institutional support or resources (especially for clinical or translational research).

No clear patient benefit, or vague outcome measures.

Weak writing, unclear aims, or poor justification.

🧩 What This Means If You’re Preparing an AES Proposal

Choose a research question with strong, explicit epilepsy relevance.

Keep aims few and focused (2–3), and make sure they’re feasible within funding period and resources.

Back proposal with solid rationale or preliminary data especially for translational/therapeutic work.

Ensure you have proper institutional support, access to facilities/patients (if needed), and mentorship (if you’re early-career).

Design with patient outcomes or translational relevance in mind.

Write clearly: articulate significance, innovation, methods, expected outcomes, and future direction or follow-up funding potential.

Specialties

Clinical Trials

Neurosciences

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

1. Be matriculating in a full-time doctoral (PhD) program in a field relevant to epilepsy research.

2. Have a defined research plan and access to institutional resources to conduct the proposed project.

3. Have a qualified mentor(s) with expertise to supervise and provide guidance on the specific aspects of epilepsy related research targeted in the proposal. The mentor must not also be serving as the primary mentor for any other applications for early career grants to AES and must not be submitting a Junior Investigator Research Award or an EWA award for the same grant cycle (see Application Policy #2 above).

4. Have not previously been awarded an AES Predoctoral Fellowship.

In addition:

5. U.S. citizenship is not required; however, all research must be conducted in the U.S.

6. Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Selections will be made without respect to race, gender, or any other protected characteristic or protected status.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: American Epilepsy Society

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 141 W. Jackson Blvd. Suite 1065 Chicago, IL 60604

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