American Epilepsy Society
The American Epilepsy Society (AES) is a Chicago-based public charity that supports epilepsy research and education for professionals working toward the prevention, treatment, and cure of epilepsy. Its grants and fellowships support research at different career stages, as well as research infrastructure, workshops, and conferences.
American Epilepsy Society at a glance
In short: American Epilepsy Society gave $1.7M across 30 grants in 2025 (avg $56K), top state Pennsylvania. 14% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,676,629
- +10.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 30
- -25.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $55,888
- +47.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,400
- Total assets
- $22,020,378
- +8.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (4 of 29, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (15% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to American Epilepsy Society
- How to Apply
-
The filing describes a formal application process. Candidates submit applications explaining how the funds will further medical research to treat or cure epilepsy, and an AES committee reviews them. The website directs applicants to current opportunities and says proposals are reviewed and selected by the AES Research and Training Council. No application deadline is specified here.
- Contact
Mailing address: 141 W Jackson Blvd 1065, Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 883-3800
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
12 open opportunities from American Epilepsy Society
AES Infrastructure Grants
American Epilepsy Society
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
AES Research and Training Workshop Grants
American Epilepsy Society
Amount
US $10,000 - US $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
AES Seed Grants
American Epilepsy Society
Amount
Up to US $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who American Epilepsy Society funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Baylor College of Medicine ($151K). Together the top 10 received $910K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($275,800), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
168 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 89 grants of 168 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
AES reported that its 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. The largest stated shares were Pennsylvania (15%), California (14%), Texas (13%), New York (10%), and Illinois (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 30 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is American Epilepsy Society open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 29 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $58K; repeat grants $58K. How we count
Medians: $63K first-time, $50K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2021) to $1.7M (2025). In 2025 it made 30 grants totaling $1.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | Junior Investigator Award Grant | $150,800 |
| 2 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $275,800 |
| Massachusetts General Hospital Research Boston, MA | Postdoctoral, Junior Investigator Award, and Workshop Grants | $135,800 |
| University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | Summer bridge internship, junior investigator award. And esc grants | $108,494 |
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | Summer Bridge Internship and Seed Grants | $92,155 |
| Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland, OH | Junior Investigator Award Grant | $75,800 |
| University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | Predoctoral, Postdoctoral, and Junior Investigator Award Grants | $75,800 |
| Johns Hopkins University Central Lockbox Chicago, IL | Sergievsky Grants | $75,000 |
| University of Central Florida Orlando, FL | Sergievsky Grant | $75,000 |
| Stanford University Stanford, CA | Postdoctoral and Seed Grants | $70,800 |
Ready to take the next step with American Epilepsy Society?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
AES is listed as filing Form 990 as a public charity.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $22,020,378 | $11,878,127 | $11,608,562 | $1,676,629 | 30 | $884,891 |
| 2024 | $20,305,116 | $10,460,621 | $10,434,761 | $1,519,687 | 40 | $537,596 |
| 2023 | $19,332,170 | $10,000,415 | $9,832,791 | $1,502,624 | 41 | $268,816 |
| 2022 | $17,665,869 | $9,656,912 | $9,053,944 | $1,280,489 | 32 | $514,224 |
| 2021 | $19,658,831 | $7,635,467 | $6,624,221 | $1,215,000 | 25 | $458,938 |
| 2020 | $16,187,204 | $10,909,273 | $8,209,670 | $1,302,361 | 33 | $238,322 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
AES’s mission, as stated in its 2024 filing, is to promote research and education for professionals dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of epilepsy. Its website describes a broader mission to support the professional community in advancing research, education, and practice, with the vision of eradicating epilepsy and its consequences.
AES funds basic, translational, and clinical epilepsy research, including work on seizures and related disorders. Its programs include early-career fellowships and awards, seed grants, infrastructure grants, and support for research and training workshops. The organization also reports holding meetings for medical professionals, providing continuing medical education, and offering public and member education.
Its 2025 grantees included medical schools, universities, and hospitals. Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of institutions supported: Baylor College of Medicine says it advances human health through patient care, research, education, and community services; the University of Pittsburgh describes itself as a public research university serving its region, state, and nation; and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center says it aims to improve child health through integrated research, education, and care.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, AES reported 30 grants totaling $1,676,629. Individual grants ranged from $11,200 to $150,800, with a median of $50,400. Common listed purposes included junior investigator awards, predoctoral and postdoctoral grants, seed grants, fellowships, and internship programs.
Among the largest reported grants were $150,800 to Baylor College of Medicine for a junior investigator award and $150,800 to the Regents of the University of California, an individual recipient, also for a junior investigator award. Other notable awards included $135,800 to Massachusetts General Hospital Research for postdoctoral, junior investigator award, and workshop grants; $125,000 to NYU Grossman School of Medicine for junior investigator and seed grants; and $108,494 to the University of Pittsburgh for summer bridge internship, junior investigator award, and Epilepsy Study Consortium grants.
AES’s grant information describes several opportunities for applicants. Predoctoral Research Fellowships provide up to $30,000 for one year, including stipend and travel support to the AES Annual Meeting. Research and Training Fellowships for Clinicians provide up to $75,000 for one year, including $1,000 in intended travel support. The Junior Investigator Research Award overview describes up to $50,000 for one year to support direct research costs; the comparison page lists a $75,000 funding amount for that award.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Howard P. Goodkin as president; Jack M. Parent as first vice president; David M. Labiner as second vice president; William H. Theodore as president emeritus; Fred A. Lado as treasurer; and Kelly G. Knupp as treasurer elect. Directors listed were Viji Santhakumar, Barbara C. Jobst, Renee A. Shellhaas, and Barry E. Gidal.
American Epilepsy Society is led by Eileen Murray, CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 7 of 17 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Eileen Murray
CEO
Executive Director → CEO, 2023
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$333K (2020) → $466K (2025)
Wendy-Jo Toyama Mba Fasae Cae
CEO Since Nov
New on the 2025 filing
45 hrs/week
$59K (2025)
Howard P. Goodkin Md Phd Faes
President
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Polous
Director & Technology Solutions
Director - Technology Solutions → Director - Tech Solutions, 2022
Director - Tech Solutions → Director & Technology Solutions, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$127K (2020) → $172K (2025)
Christina Graham
Director & Education
Director - Education & Professional Development → Director - Education, 2022
Director - Education → Director & Education, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$140K (2021) → $163K (2025)
Viji Santhakumar PhD
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara C. Jobst Md Faes
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Renee A. Shellhaas Md Ms Faes
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barry E. Gidal Pharmd Faes
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David G. Vossler Md Faes
Second Vice President & Director
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joy Keller
Senior Manager & Clinical
Senior Manager - Clinical Activities → Senior Manager - Clinical, 2022
Senior Manager - Clinical → Senior Manager & Clinical, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$109K (2021) → $127K (2025)
Shawna Strickland
Associate Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$139K (2022) → $223K (2025)
Christine Melendes
Associate Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$136K (2025)
Kelly G. Knupp Md Mscs Faes
Treasurer Elect
Director → Treasurer Elect, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack M. Parent MD
First Vice President
Second Vice President → First Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fred A. Lado Md Phd Faes
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William H. Theodore Md Faes
President Emeritus
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Howard P. Goodkin MD PhD (2020–2024) — First Vice President
- Former: Susan Oliver (2020–2024) — Associate Executive Director
- Former: Fred A. Lado MD PhD (2021–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Annapurna Poduri Md Mph Faes (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Jorge A. Gonzalez-Martinez MD PhD (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: William H. Theodore MD (2022–2024) — President
- Former: Manisha N. Patel Phd Faes (2024) — President Emeritus
- Former: Kevin E. Chapman MD (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Manisha Patel PhD (2020–2023) — President
- Former: R. Edward Hogan MD (2020–2023) — President Emeritus
- Former: Nathalie Jette MD (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Anne Gramiak (2022–2023) — Senior Manager Elc & Partnership
- Former: Barbara A. Dworetzky MD (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Douglas A. Coulter PhD (2020–2022) — Immediate Past President
- Former: Elinor Ben-Menachem MD PhD (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Lori L. Isom PhD (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Penny Dacks (2020–2021) — Associate Executive Director
- Former: William D. Gaillard MD (2020–2021) — Immediate Past President
- Former: Page B. Pennell MD (2020) — President Emeritus
- Former: Sheryl Haut MD (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $466K, to Eileen Murray (CEO Until Dec 2024). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about American Epilepsy Society
How much does American Epilepsy Society give each year?
American Epilepsy Society gave $1.7M across 30 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.5M across 40 grants.
What is American Epilepsy Society's typical grant size?
American Epilepsy Society's median grant in 2025 was $50,400, and its average grant was $55,888, across 30 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from American Epilepsy Society that year got $58K on average.
Where does American Epilepsy Society give grants?
American Epilepsy Society's top state is Pennsylvania, with 15% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (14%) and Texas (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (3 grants).
Does American Epilepsy Society give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 30 grants with a stated purpose on American Epilepsy Society's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Summer Bridge Internship Grant" (7 grants), "Junior Investigator Award Grant" (3 grants) and "Postdoctoral Grant" (3 grants).
Who are American Epilepsy Society's largest grantees?
American Epilepsy Society's largest 2025 grantees include Baylor College of Medicine ($150,800), Massachusetts General Hospital Research ($135,800) and University of Pittsburgh ($108,494), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($275,800), which are not listed by name. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is American Epilepsy Society?
American Epilepsy Society reported $22.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.9M.
What does American Epilepsy Society fund?
AES’s mission, as stated in its 2024 filing, is to promote research and education for professionals dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of epilepsy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from American Epilepsy Society?
The filing describes a formal application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is American Epilepsy Society's EIN?
American Epilepsy Society's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6112600. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 28, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). American Epilepsy Society funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/american-epilepsy-society-morg_6f3af2454f8447568c7020c17523474f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_046112600_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{American Epilepsy Society funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/american-epilepsy-society-morg_6f3af2454f8447568c7020c17523474f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from American Epilepsy Society's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
American Epilepsy Society down — hundreds of funders to go?