Our Grant Process

Epilepsy Canada has partnered with CURE Epilepsy to streamline and enhance our Research Grant Process. CURE Epilepsy has developed policies and processes that make it easier to manage the important allocation of financial resources for epilepsy research.

Their systems represent a world-class methodology to review and select the best research projects globally. This methodology is comprehensive. It provides an equal opportunity for researchers to apply for much needed funds so they can execute novel research. It’s fair and consistent, with expert peer review and analysis.

The adoption of CURE Epilepsy’s Scientific Review Granting Process gives Canadian researchers more opportunities to fund their projects. Most importantly, our donors and corporate partners can be assured that their donation dollars are being maximized to deliver on our mission and objectives of finding a cure.

GRANT PROCESS

1. VISION SETTING

Epilepsy Canada’s research vision is set by the Epilepsy Canada Board of Directors and Scientific Research Committee; in collaboration with CURE Epilepsy’s Scientific Advisory Council and Research Team.

2. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

RFPs are born out of Epilepsy Canada’s Strategic Vision and outline the research topic areas and requirements for the grant year.

3. LETTER OF INTENT

LOIs are short letters from potential Epilepsy Canada grantees that succinctly and clearly describe their proposed research project and its relevance to Epilepsy Canada’s mission.

4. LOI REVIEW

LOIs are reviewed and scored by the Research Team and scientific peers by criteria outlined in the RFPs.

5. FULL PROPOSAL STAGE

Applicants whose LOIs are invited will submit full grant proposals that contain detailed scientific and budget information for the proposed Epilepsy Canada project.

6. FULL PROPOSAL REVIEW

Each full grant proposal is reviewed by members of Epilepsy Canada’s Lay Review Council (LRC) and three external scientific reviewers. The LRC is made up of people with epilepsy and the loved ones of people with epilepsy who have a special interest in finding a cure. Members of the LRC contribute to Epilepsy Canada’s grant review process by reading research proposals from a lay perspective, which helps ensure that the stakeholder point of view is critically represented in the grant review process.

Scientific reviewers are assembled for each grant mechanism and each grant review cycle. Applications are then discussed amongst the reviewers and Epilepsy Canada’s Research Team and scored.

7. RESEARCH COMMITTEE REVIEW

Applications are discussed with the Epilepsy Canada’s Research Committee, which is made up of Epilepsy Canada’s Board members and volunteers, to ensure alignment with Epilepsy Canada’s mission. Funding recommendations are then developed and presented to the Epilepsy Canada’s Board of Directors.

8. BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVAL

The Epilepsy Canada Board of Directors has final approval of all grants that are funded by Epilepsy Canada each cycle.