DoW Epilepsy Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers seeking to lead a virtual post-traumatic epilepsy research center. Applicants must have a PI to serve as Director and a partnering PI for Deputy Director. Both PIs must be eligible to receive federal research funding and affiliated with research institutions. The program requires collaboration and commitment to mentoring new post-traumatic epilepsy investigators. An individual can participate in only one FY2026 application in this competition.
This is a partnering mechanism requiring institutional support for both Director and Deputy Director positions. Each PI will receive a separate award if both applications are approved. Administrative withdrawal of either application may result in cancellation of both awards.
Program description
Summary: This funding opportunity announcement seeks to solicit a Director and Deputy Director to lead the Epilepsy Research Program (ERP) Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center (ViP-TERC). The ViP-TERC is a unique, interactive virtual research center providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group for new post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) investigators. The overarching goal of the ViP-TERC is to develop successful, highly productive PTE researchers in a collaborative research and career development environment to enhance quality and expand quantity of the PTE research field.
Distinctive Features: This funding mechanism is a partnering mechanism, requiring an Initiating Principal Investigator (PI), who will serve as the ViP-TERC Director, and a Partnering PI, who will serve as the ViP-TERC Deputy Director.
The ViP-TERC Deputy Director’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the project. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on separate awards to the recipient organization(s). Be advised, all associated applications may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn.
An investigator may be named on only one fiscal year 2026 (FY26) ERP Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award application as a PI.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative
- Biographical Sketch (both PIs)
- Letters of Support from partner institutions
- Current and Pending Support documentation
Program contact
- 👤 Ebony S Simmons Grantor
- 📧 help@eBRAP.org
- 📞 301-619-2105
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.420 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$2,265,729,366
-
$800,631,761
-
$74,531,880
-
$67,205,571
-
$53,718,832
-
$34,191,124
-
$24,907,742
-
$21,394,379
-
$19,100,256
-
$19,002,641
Top States by Funding
- MD 10 awards $3,150.1M
- NC 11 awards $132.3M
- FL 8 awards $99.8M
- CA 11 awards $99.3M
- MA 7 awards $75.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.420). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,483,968,520 | |
| 2025 | $1,201,153,417 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Researchers with PI eligibility who can lead the Epilepsy Research Program center. Both Director and Deputy Director PIs must have institutional affiliations and federal funding experience.
What is the partnership requirement?
You need an Initiating PI (Director) and a Partnering PI (Deputy Director). Both will receive separate awards if approved. If either application is rejected, both may be withdrawn.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is August 17, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling acceptance.
Can I apply multiple times in this cycle?
No. An investigator can be named on only one FY2026 application as a PI in this competition.
What activities does this funding support?
The center provides mentoring, networking, collaboration, and career development for post-traumatic epilepsy researchers. It aims to develop productive PTE researchers and expand the field.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Identify your partnering PI early and ensure both have complementary expertise. Coordination between Director and Deputy Director strengthens applications.
- Emphasize your mentoring experience and vision for developing early-career PTE researchers. Highlight concrete examples of past mentorship success.
- Detail the virtual platform infrastructure and how it will facilitate national networking and collaboration. Describe specific collaborative mechanisms.
- Explain your strategic plan for expanding the post-traumatic epilepsy research field. Include realistic timelines and measurable outcomes for researcher development.
- Address the interdependency of both applications clearly. Ensure institutional commitment from both organizations is documented in support letters.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without a confirmed partnering PI or failing to coordinate applications between Director and Deputy Director positions. Weak mentoring plans or unclear vision for developing early-career PTE researchers. Inadequate description of the virtual center infrastructure and how it enables collaboration.
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