Forewords
Dr Graeme Sills, Chair of Trustees
Professor Mark Richardson, Chair of Scientific Advisory Committee
I am delighted to introduce the 2017 Epilepsy Research UK impact report. The research projects featured in this report, together with the summary details of new projects funded this year, illustrate the breadth of the research that we are currently funding across many important aspects of epilepsy. Since 2007 we have awarded almost £8 million in research grants and we are now aiming higher. Over the next few years, Epilepsy Research UK plans to increase the amount of money it makes available to research, but for that, we need our supporters’ help. The vast majority of funds that we raise for research come from the kindness and efforts of individuals. From people who leave us gifts in their wills, to people who organise walks, bake cakes, run marathons and dig into their piggybanks. This is the reason why we go to great lengths to ensure that we only fund the very highest quality epilepsy research at some of the world’s foremost academic institutions. The research that we do fund has and will continue to have a very real and positive impact on the lives of people with epilepsy. Once again, in 2017, our Scientific Advisory Committee had a difficult job choosing from the many excellent applications for funding that were received. This year 28 project grants, 12 fellowships and 12 pilot grant applications were submitted. Fifteen projects, 5 fellowships and 7 pilot grants were shortlisted. One fellowship application was withdrawn from the grant round after it was shortlisted. The number and breadth of the grant applications received is encouraging, as they reflect an increasingly active and vibrant epilepsy research community in the UK. However; more still needs to be done to increase funding into epilepsy research, and it is important that we encourage talented researchers to enter and remain in the field. As Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee, I am proud of the research that Epilepsy Research UK supports. It is of excellent quality and it will make a real difference to people with epilepsy now and in the future.
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