empowER&D™ is an Epilepsy Foundation initiative that enables people with epilepsy to actively shape the future of epilepsy research. By bringing together patients, healthcare providers, and researchers, and equipping them with innovative tools and technologies, we can accelerate discovery, improve care, and drive meaningful change for the epilepsy community. 
 

The epilepsies affects people physically, emotionally, and financially, impacting nearly 3.4 million people in the United States. Yet for far too long, epilepsy research has been underfunded and overlooked. We are committed to changing that. 

For more than five decades, the Epilepsy Foundation has been a trusted partner to individuals and families navigating the epilepsies. We advocate with purpose, invest responsibly, and collaborate with leading experts to ensure every initiative, including empowER&D™, puts the community first. 

 
Through empowER&D™, we will advance discovery, elevate patient voices, and work together to improve the lives of all those affected by epilepsy. 

empowER&D™ is your opportunity to shape the future of epilepsy research. This Epilepsy Foundation initiative brings together people living with epilepsy, healthcare providers, and researchers and gives you the tools and technology to make your experiences count. 

Your insights can accelerate discoveries, advance research, and help drive meaningful change for everyone affected by epilepsy. 

Epilepsy impacts every part of life- physical, emotional, and financial. Nearly 3.4 million people in the U.S. live with these challenges, yet research has long been underfunded and overlooked. empowER&D™ is here to change that by elevating your voice and ensuring research reflects what truly matters to you. 

 For more than five decades, the Epilepsy Foundation has stood alongside people living with epilepsy, ensuring your experiences, priorities, and voices guide our work. We advocate with purpose, invest responsibly in research that matters to you, and collaborate with leading experts to ensure every initiative, including empowER&D™, reflects the needs of the community we serve. 

empowER&D™ creates structured, high-value data sets tailored for different stakeholders, including healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and researchers. These data sets support:

• Real-world evidence generation
• Clinical decision-making
• Regulatory advancements

The project connects multiple data sources—including patient registries, clinical trials, and healthcare records—to facilitate seamless information sharing among healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and advocacy groups.

Through collaborations with biotech, pharmaceutical, and technology partners, empowER&D seeks to create sustainable, scalable solutions that drive advancements in epilepsy research, treatment, and policy.

Building on a history of innovation through partnerships like NIF and initiatives like the Shark Tank Competition, New Therapy Commercialization Grants, and the Epilepsy Innovation Institute, empowER&D is the next step. EmpowER&D is a continued effort to spark meaningful change and improve the lives of people living with epilepsy. This initiative paves the way for a future where cutting-edge, patient-centered solutions are within reach for all people affected by epilepsy. 

Frequently Asked Questions

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