Epilepsy Ireland inviting applications under 9th Research Funding Call

Last Updated:
Researcher working on a project

We are delighted to be inviting research proposals as part of our 9th Research funding call – which will be run in conjunction with the Health Research Charities/Health Research Board (HRCI/HRB Joint Funding Scheme). 

Investing in high quality epilepsy research is one of the key strategic aims of our current strategic plan – and it is clear that this aim is one that has not waned in importance amongst the epilepsy community since the plan’s publication in 2022. As part of a consultative process and survey in the lead up to the launch of this call, 98% of respondents to our survey either strongly agreed or agreed with the statement “It is important that Epilepsy Ireland continues to invest in funding Irish epilepsy research." 

Since 2009, we have invested over €1,500,000 in a range of epilepsy research projects – many of which have been funded under the HRCI/HRB joint funding scheme. We hope that when this lengthy and extremely competitive process ends in the Autumn of 2026, we will be announcing further research investments. 

In the survey mentioned above, we asked people with epilepsy and their family members to identify the research questions that were more important to them. These questions were drawn from the Top 10 priorities identified by the UK epilepsy community (including people living with epilepsy, families, healthcare professionals, and patient organisations) as part of a comprehensive priority-setting process in 2022 – led by our colleagues in the Epilepsy Research Institute UK. 

When we put these questions to the epilepsy community in Ireland, this identified the following as being the top priorities:

  1. What impact do epilepsy, seizures and anti-seizure medication (ASMs) have on brain health – including cognition, memory, learning, behaviour and mental health?
  2. What are the causes and contributing factors of epilepsy-related deaths, including Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), and how can these deaths be prevented?
  3. How do hormonal changes in women throughout the lifespan (puberty, pregnancy, menopause) impact epilepsy, and how can this impact be addressed?

While we are inviting applications from researchers on all types of epilepsy research, given the feedback we have received, we have noted as part of our call that projects that focus on the above will be particularly welcome.  Thank you to everyone who shared their views as part of our survey in recent weeks. 

Research projects of up to a three-year duration are being invited, with a maximum cost of €80,000 per annum (50% provided by Epilepsy Ireland, 50% provided by the HRB). 

Applications received under our Research Funding Scheme undergo a rigorous review process to ensure that the funds you have helped to raise are invested in the projects that can have the greatest impact. This involves:

  • Expression of interest stage
  • Internal Administrative Review
  • International Peer review of applications
  • Applicant's feedback to international peer reviews.
  • Evaluation and ranking by Epilepsy Ireland's Research Peer Review Committee
  • Review by HRB-HRCI Joint Funding Scheme Selection committee. 

Researchers seeking to submit a funding application for funding can find detailed information on the process, timelines and deadlines involved and guidance documents by visiting the ‘Apply for funding page’ within the Research section of our website. 

We look forward to receiving proposals from researchers over the coming weeks and beginning this important process – a process we hope leads to new research investments; investments that would not be possible that would not be possible without your continued support. As our latest call begins, we would like to thank everyone who has supported our work in any way, which has allowed for us to launch this latest Research funding call. 

Together, we can achieve a society where no person’s life is limited by epilepsy. 

Further Information