For over a decade and a half, the Milken Family Foundation has dedicated resources for groundbreaking research to understand and conquer epilepsy.

In 1989, the Foundation, working with the American Epilepsy Society, established an annual award, grant and fellowship program. Since that time, the program's recognition and support have become significant for the epilepsy community, not only as a means to celebrate the achievements of outstanding scientists and clinicians, but as a significant way to foster and guide research activities in epilepsy.

Two new efforts were launched in 2005 through the Milken Family Foundation Epilepsy Research Awards Program: the Early Career Physician-Scientist Awards Program and the Milken Translational Research Awards.

Early Career Physician-Scientist Awards Program

Funded by the Milken Family Foundation, with selections administered by the American Epilepsy Society, the Early Career Physician-Scientist Awards Program targets physician-scientists embarking on careers in academic medicine and seeking to develop outstanding epilepsy research programs.

The program presents four research awards of $50,000 each to active scientists and clinicians no more than five years following completion of their scientific and/or medical training.

Milken Translational Research Awards

Created in partnership with the Epilepsy Therapy Development Project, the purpose of the Milken Translational Research Awards is to accelerate development of novel therapies for the treatment of epilepsy.

A research award of $50,000 is presented to a physician or scientist actively advancing the research with high-impact, near-term patient benefits. Designed to support the understanding of new therapies through laboratory research or early clinical development, these awards are designed to recognize professionals with demonstrated skills in advancing new treatments to patients. Recipients are selected by a committee of clinicians and scientists designated by the Epilepsy Therapy Development Project.