The Epilepsy Foundation recognises the crucial role of research for improving the lives of people with epilepsy and their families. High quality research plays an important role in ensuring good clinical practice, policy development, and the delivery of education and training programs.
In 2006, the Epilepsy Foundation established the Australian Epilepsy Research Register (AERR), a community register of people living with epilepsy who are keen to be involved in research. Research conducted with participants from the AERR has shed light on the psycho-social impact of living with epilepsy. It is our hope that this research can help to inspire and inform healthcare providers, policy makers and donors to make the most beneficial long-term choices for people living with epilepsy.
In 2018, the Epilepsy Foundation established the Australian Epilepsy Research Fund (AERF). This fund was set up to support innovative and high quality research that will provide meaningful outcomes and explore new treatment options for people with epilepsy.
Alongside these key projects, the Epilepsy Foundation also continues to collaborate with researchers from across Victoria on a range of projects, to ensure that we remain engaged and up to date with the research community.
Finding a Cure for Epilepsy
4% of the population will have epilepsy at some stage of their life. At the Epilepsy Foundation we are committed to not only supporting people living with epilepsy today but also working with researchers and the medical community to find a cure for tomorrow.
The Australian Epilepsy Research Fund supports research into curing epilepsy or reducing the impact of epilepsy on people’s lives. Annual funding rounds may focus on different aspects of epilepsy and/or treatment. The inaugural funding round has a specific focus on understanding and treating genetic forms of epilepsy.
Current Research Projects
Our current research activities include the Australian Epilepsy Longitudinal Study (AELS), as well as recent collaboration on a UCB study examining the side effects of AEDs, and a project on Body Image in Epilepsy in collaboration with The University of Melbourne.
Australian Epilepsy Research Register
The Australian Epilepsy Research Register (AERR) is a database of people who have epilepsy and their...
Clinical Trials and Genetic Epilepsy
Understanding Clinical Trials Researchers conduct clinical trials to identify new ways to prevent,...
Other opportunities to participate
Click on the links below to read more about how you can participate in epilepsy research. ...
Support Research at the Epilepsy Foundation
There are many different ways you can support research at the Epilepsy Foundation;
- Sign up to the Research Register
- Donate to the Australian Epilepsy Research Fund. All donations to the Australian Epilepsy Research Fund are tax deductible.
- Contribute your knowledge or expertise as a researcher in this field – this may be to review content or programs; present in our Epilepsy Specialist Series; consider collaboration on recruitment for research.
- Consider submitting a research proposal to the AERF. Only organisations with both Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) Item 1 and Tax Concession Charity (TCC) status can apply for research grants.
If you would like further information email research@epilepsyfoundation.org.au.
Donate to Australian Epilepsy Research
Donations to the Australian Epilepsy Research Fund will go towards supporting high quality Australian research aimed at improving the lives of people with epilepsy.