Research Ambassador Program
Applications Open August 2026
The Epilepsy Foundation's Research Ambassador Program is committed to strengthening connections between the epilepsy community and research, providing insight into the processes of clinical research and new therapy development.
What is the Ambassador Program?
The Research Ambassador Program is designed for people living with epilepsy, their caregivers, and others uniquely positioned to support the epilepsy community. The program empowers participants to actively engage in treatment development, address disparities in clinical trial representation, and ensure that research reflects the real needs of patients and caregivers.
Each year, 30 ambassadors are selected and given access to our online Clinical Research 101 series, a seven-part video curriculum covering the foundations of research, clinical trials, and patient engagement. The program then culminates in a full-day, immersive, in-person Ambassador Bootcamp. This experience provides insight into how new therapies are developed and ensures that people with epilepsy have a meaningful voice in shaping clinical research.
The 2026 Research Ambassador Bootcamp will take place on April 11, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Following the bootcamp, ambassadors will play a key role in ongoing research projects by connecting patient experiences with clinical research. Their involvement helps strengthen collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and companies developing new therapies and devices—ensuring that outcomes important to people with epilepsy are prioritized and that trials are designed with patients in mind.
2nd Annual Research Ambassador Bootcamp
We’re proud to share the success of the 2026 Epilepsy Research Ambassador Bootcamp, held April 11–12, 2026, in Minneapolis. This year, we welcomed 30 new Research Ambassadors from across the country for a weekend focused on research, education, advocacy, and community building.
Through expert-led sessions, open discussions, and interactive activities, ambassadors explored the full landscape of epilepsy research and the role of lived experience in advancing innovation, while gaining tools to become stronger advocates for inclusive and patient-centered research. We were also honored to welcome keynote speaker Torie Robinson, founder of Epilepsy Sparks and a leader in patient and public involvement in epilepsy research, who shared powerful insights on the importance of integrating lived experience into research and innovation.
The Bootcamp also featured the launch of the first Research Community Engagement Fellow cohort in partnership with CURE Epilepsy. Six early-career scientists joined the program to share their research, strengthen science communication skills, and build meaningful partnerships with the epilepsy community.
How to Apply
By bringing voices from the epilepsy community into the conversation earlier, therapeutic development is more comprehensive from start to finish.
To become a Research Ambassador, there is a two-part process that can occur in any order.
Application: You must submit an application to the program.
Nomination: You must have a sponsor from an epilepsy-focused organization, or a physician nominate you for consideration by completing a nomination application.
Important: Both the application and nomination must be received before the deadline.
Selected applicants will be invited to a full day, all expenses paid, in-person workshop for people with epilepsy, their family members, and those passionate about advancing clinical epilepsy research. The training will cover the process to bring a new therapy or device from pre-clinical through to approval.
Graduates from the program will become “Epilepsy Research Ambassadors”. The ambassadors will be ready to participate in:
- Discussion with regulators
- Focus groups on:
- trial design
- Inclusion/exclusion criteria
- unmet patient needs
- assessments of new technologies
- Meetings with patient and community groups to help with trial recruitment
- Option to join quarterly calls to facilitate dialogue between the ambassadors and the Epilepsy Foundation, as well as invited guests such as clinical experts or therapy developers.
Learn More:
Apply to Become a Research Ambassador!Learn More:
Nominate a Research Ambassador!Frequently Asked Questions
When do applications close?
- Applications will be accepted October 1 - November 21, 2025.
When and where will the ambassador bootcamp be held?
- The bootcamp will be in held in the April 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
What is the cost?
- The Epilepsy Foundation is covering the costs of those selected to attend the ambassador bootcamp
If I have already been nominated do I still need to apply?
- Yes, you must both apply and be nominated
How many ambassadors are selected?
- Each year 30 ambassadors are selected to participate in the Research Ambassador Program
Who is eligible?
- The program is open to U.S. residents ages 16 and older who have epilepsy, care for someone with epilepsy, or are uniquely positioned to support the epilepsy community.
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors!
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