Name a Research Grant
Put a name behind what comes next in epilepsy research.
A named research grant is a way to fund research while honouring a person, reflecting your values, or showing what your company believes in. Individuals, families, and businesses can work with Epilepsy Canada to create a grant with a lasting purpose.
Your support helps research move forward
Approximately 400,000 Canadians live with epilepsy. For about one in three, medication does not stop their seizures. Research is essential to finding better treatments and improving the lives of people affected by epilepsy.
For 60 years, Epilepsy Canada has funded research at universities, hospitals, and research institutes across the country. A named grant lets you be part of that work in a way that is meaningful to you.
Bob Conlon knew the challenges of living with epilepsy. When he updated his Will, he chose to leave a gift to Epilepsy Canada to support research for others living with the condition.
His gift established the Robert Conlon Research Grant, which now funds research into a potential treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy. Bob’s name is part of work that could make a difference for people he never met.
[Read Bob’s story ↓]
How it works
Tell us what matters to you.
We’ll discuss the name you would like the grant to carry, your goals, and the level and timing of your support.
Explore an area of research.
You can choose to support discovery and preclinical research, applied and translational research, or clinical informatics and outcomes. We can discuss the research areas available to other grant funders, too.
Follow the work your grant makes possible.
Research proposals are assessed by independent scientific experts. Once a grant is awarded, we’ll share news of the funded project and updates on its progress.
Named grants can be funded through a current gift, a company partnership, or a gift in a Will. These partnerships start at $25,000, with options for larger or multi-year commitments. We’ll work with you to explore an approach that fits.
The Story of Robert (Bob) Conlon
Robert (Bob) Conlon lived with epilepsy for much of his adult life. Diagnosed at 35 after a long search for answers, he understood the daily challenges it could bring. He struggled to find the right medication, lost his driver’s licence as a safety precaution, and often felt discouraged after a seizure. Through it all, Bob remained determined and hopeful.
Born in Perth, Australia, Bob moved to Salt Spring Island, BC, at 21. He built a life there with his wife, Joan, worked as an upholsterer, and enjoyed darts and cricket. Friends and neighbours knew him for his kindness and sense of humour.
When Bob updated his Will, he decided to leave a gift to Epilepsy Canada. In his own words:
“I want to give money to find a cure for this bloody thing.”
Near the end of his life, Bob wondered whether he had done enough. A close friend reminded him that his gift would support epilepsy research and could make a difference for people he would never meet. The thought brought a smile to his face.
Today, the Robert Conlon Research Grant supports Dr. Peter Carlen and his team at the University Health Network. They are studying a potential treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy, something Bob knew firsthand. The research is still underway, but Bob’s gift is already doing what he hoped: giving researchers the chance to pursue better options for others.
Let’s start a conversation
Whether you have a person in mind to honour or you’re exploring an opportunity for your company, we’d welcome a conversation. We can explain the options and help you decide what feels right.
Contact Johanna McDougall, CEO
jmcdougall@epilepsy.ca
For companies: put your name behind discovery
Your company was built by investing in ideas with the potential to change what comes next. This is an opportunity to do the same for epilepsy research.
A named research grant gives your company a clear connection to work being done by Canadian researchers. Your partnership can be announced nationally, shared through Epilepsy Canada’s channels, and followed through research updates and stories. It is a way for your team to see the work your support helps make possible and proudly stand behind it.