American Epilepsy Society Establishes Travel Award for Students

The American Epilepsy Society (AES) has established the Eileen M. Murray, MM, CAE, First-Generation Travel Award, consisting of a $1000 travel stipend and complimentary registration to the AES Annual Meeting. The award is intended to support first-generation medical, graduate, nursing, pharmacy, neuropsychology, and other health students who are conducting research related to epilepsy. Awardees will be selected based on submitted abstracts detailing their research, which they will present at the AES Annual Meeting.

According to a statement from the AES, eligibility requirements include:

• Current enrollment in or recent graduation within the past 10 years from medical school, neuroscience or related graduate programs, nursing school, or other health profession higher degree programs
• Engagement in basic or clinical research directly related to epilepsy
• Status as a first-generation student, which includes those whose parents or guardians have not obtained a 4-year college degree
• Status as first author of an abstract submitted to the AES

Only applications from individuals who have not received this or any other AES travel award will be considered.

The award honors Eileen M. Murray, MM, CAE, CEO of the AES who earlier this year announced her planned departure from her role at AES at the end of 2024. An anonymous donor will provide the initial gift to establish the fund.

“I am deeply grateful that the Board of Directors has chosen to create this fund,” said Murray. “AES has a deep commitment to supporting the next generation of scientists. It is a part of our mission that means a lot to me, and I know how impactful AES travel awards, research internships, and young investigator grants can be in launching new careers.”

This year’s AES Annual Meeting will be held in Los Angeles, CA, from December 6-10.