Summary: This funding opportunity announcement seeks to solicit a Director and Deputy Director to lead the Epilepsy Research Program (ERP) Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center (ViP-TERC). The ViP-TERC is a unique, interactive virtual research center providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group for new post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) investigators. The overarching goal of the ViP-TERC is to develop successful, highly productive PTE researchers in a collaborative research and career development environment to enhance quality and expand quantity of the PTE research field.

Distinctive Features: This funding mechanism is a partnering mechanism, requiring an Initiating Principal Investigator (PI), who will serve as the ViP-TERC Director, and a Partnering PI, who will serve as the ViP-TERC Deputy Director.

The ViP-TERC Deputy Director’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the project. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on separate awards to the recipient organization(s). Be advised, all associated applications may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn.

An investigator may be named on only one fiscal year 2026 (FY26) ERP Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award application as a PI.