ILAE-Europe

16th European Epilepsy Congress

Visiting Professorships

This is a program from ILAE-Europe that seeks to promote and improve the care of persons in European countries living with epilepsy, through education, advocacy and research. It aims specifically to support and expand exchange programs between members of European chapters of the ILAE, in order to significantly impact epilepsy care in resource poor regions.

The applications should address program goals. This program supports travel between European Centres to perform at least one of the following activities:

• Education and training of epileptologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, primary care physicians, health care extenders, and/or other professionals involved in epilepsy care.
• Improve the provision of locally-sustainable patient care. This could include active participation in clinics.
• Education (and advocacy) of local authorities and opinion makers, to enhance community awareness of epilepsy, treatment gap, access to care, cultural and other issues that impact delivery of care
• Initiate and foster sustainable collaborative research related to epilepsy.

The Executive Board of ILAE-Europe will evaluate applications. There is no honorarium designated for the faculty member. Reasonable travel and accommodation expenses will be covered up to the maximum of €5,000 per partnership.

For an example of how a Visiting Professor program might look, here is an example from colleagues in the Eastern Mediterranean Region which took place in October 2024 in Cairo, Egypt.

Please send applications to:
Matthew Walker (Chair of ILAE Europe)
Cecilie Johannessen-Landmark (Secretary of ILAE Europe)
Nicola Specchio (Treasurer of ILAE Europe)

There is no closing date. Applications are open throughout 2025.

ILAE Gateway to Innovative Projects

The ILAE Gateway to Innovative Projects features ongoing projects in epilepsy care, research, advocacy, and more that aim to bridge treatment and inclusion gaps worldwide. The database allows professionals and scientists to submit details about their projects to encourage collaboration, engage possible funders, and help the global epilepsy community identify opportunities for advancement.

Please can you appoint one person in your Chapter to upload your Chapter’s projects on the Gateway. Kindly notify Gus Egan when you have appointed that person.

15th European Epilepsy Congress

As the 15th European Epilepsy Congress in Rome draws to a close, we wish to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to its success. This year’s Congress brought together leading epilepsy experts, researchers, and practitioners, and was made possible thanks to your participation, dedication, and support. With over 3600 attendess from over 100 countries, the event was truly remarkable.

The Congress was filled with over 130 engaging sessions and meaningful discussions that will undoubtedly advance our collective understanding of epilepsy. From the teaching courses to the inspiring keynote presentations and breakthrough research, the Congress showcased many innovative ideas and collaborations. Highlights included the excellent platform sessions, focusing on basic science, clinical neurophysiology, neuroimaging, neuropsychology, comorbidities, drug therapies, neurosurgery, genetics, and the use of AI in epilepsy care.

Participants could view more than 1000 abstract presentations of original data as oral presentations in Platform Sessions and as Poster Presentations in-person posters. Posters were presented across the 3 full days of the congress, an innovation which was exceptionally well received, and truly enforced the purpose of the congress, new concepts, discussion and networking amongst peers and colleagues from across the globe.

We hope that the broad range of topics and speakers meant that there was something for everyone.

We would like to acknowledge the significant contributions of our esteemed chairs and speakers, whose expertise and insights were invaluable. A heartfelt thank you to the organizing committee, volunteers, the ILAE staff for their tireless work behind the scenes, ensuring the seamless execution of this Congress. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to our sponsors and supporters, whose commitment to advancing epilepsy research and treatment made this event possible.

Several ILAE Europe awards were presented during the Welcome Ceremony on Saturday, 11 September, we once again congratulate the very worthy recipients.

• ILAE Europe – European Epilepsy Epileptology Award: Athanasios Covanis (Greece)
• ILAE Europe – European Epilepsy Education Award: Andriy Dubenko (Ukraine)
• ILAE Europe – European Epilepsy Service Award: Margarete Pfäfflin (Germany)
• ILAE Europe – Young Investigator Award: Gabriele Lignani (United Kingdom)
• ILAE Europe – Young Investigator Award: Marina Trivisano (Italy)

We are excited to build on the momentum from this Congress, and we look forward to seeing you at the 16th European Epilepsy Congress in Athens, Greece, in 2026.

Once again, thank you for your active participation and for making this event such a success. We hope to continue this journey together, fostering innovation and improving the lives of those affected by epilepsy worldwide.

Matthew Walker & Nicola Specchio
Co-Chairs, EEC 2024 Scientific and Organising Committee (SOC)