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How we fund research

Our 2026-27 Grant Round is open

Researchers in the UK are invited to apply for funding to support research investigating the causes, treatments and prevention of epilepsy.

Find out more and apply here. 

How we make funding decisions

Our funding process is designed to identify and support research with the greatest potential for benefit to people affected by epilepsy. We follow a rigorous, fair, and transparent process to ensure funding aligns with our research priorities and the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) Principles of Expert Review.

  • Preliminary applications are reviewed by our Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). The SAC comprises a panel of the UK’s leading neurologists, neuroscientists, and expert epilepsy researchers. You can view the current membership of the SAC here.
  • The SAC shortlist and invite the most promising applicants to submit full applications. Unsuccessful applicants are given feedback from the SAC on their proposals to help them with future applications. Shortlisted applicants are invited to take part in our Shape Network Application Clinics – an opportunity to present their proposal and hear the views of people affected by epilepsy.
  • Expert reviewers (also known as peer reviewers) play a vital role in shaping our funding decisions. These reviewers are external and independent scientists and clinicians. We invite reviewers with specific, relevant expertise to review the full applications.
  • Expert reviews are then returned to the applicants, and they are given an opportunity to provide a rebuttal to the feedback. Fellowship applicants are also invited to interview at this stage.
  • Our SAC take into account the full applications, expert reviews, applicants’ rebuttals and the interviews (where relevant) before completing a final review and making funding recommendations to our Board of Trustees.

As funds are limited, the selection of proposals for funding is highly competitive. Both preliminary and full applications are assessed for the track record and potential of the candidate and the quality and relevance of the proposed project. Please see the Guidance for Applicants documents for the relevant grant types for more information.

Our review principles and standards

Membership of the AMRC is the hallmark of quality and credibility. It means we fund high-quality research associated with our published research strategy and we have a robust peer-review process and a comprehensive conflicts of interest policy. As an AMRC member, our research procedures are audited every five years to ensure they meet the AMRC’s exacting membership standards. For universities, government, and funding bodies, AMRC membership is a recognised indicator of quality. We also attend regular training alongside other research charities to develop best practice approaches and share learning. We expect members of the SAC and our expert reviewers to declare any conflicts of interest that would affect their review of a grant application.

Conflicts Of Interest Policy
Scientific Advisory Committee Terms Of Reference

Opportunity for ECRs to observe our Scientific Advisory Committee

We launched our Early Career Researcher (ECR) Observer scheme to enable up to two ECRs to join the SAC meetings to observe a grant round from start to finish.

Through this scheme we hope to illuminate the grant funding process, increase understanding about what funding committees are looking for, and ultimately to help ECRs improve future grant applications.

Anyone can apply, but we will prioritise applicants from underrepresented backgrounds or institutions with less epilepsy expertise, as we want to play an active role in making the research landscape more diverse.

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