Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Epilepsy Research Program (ERP) Idea Development Award (IDA) solicits novel research that has the potential to increase understanding of post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) and associated comorbidities to improve quality of life, especially in Service Members, Veterans and/or their care partners. The work should innovatively challenge existing research paradigms, exhibit high levels of creativity and be a new research direction for the investigator. The IDA is NOT intended to expand or extend previously published findings or continue a line of research already well-established in the Principal Investigator’s (PI’s) laboratory.

Distinctive Features:

•The IDA offers funding for investigators at all career levels.

•**NEW for FY26** An investigator may be named on only one FY26 ERP IDA application as a PI.