The UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship: Empowering Futures

The UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program stands as a beacon of hope and support for individuals impacted by epilepsy. For over 20 years, UCB has demonstrated its commitment to the epilepsy community by providing unique resources and programs, with the scholarship program being a cornerstone of this dedication. The program offers educational scholarships to people living with epilepsy, their family members, and caregivers, helping them fulfill their academic aspirations and personal dreams.

A Legacy of Support

Established in 2005, the UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program has awarded over $3.5 million in scholarships to more than 680 deserving individuals. These scholarships have enabled recipients to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies, empowering them to achieve their full potential. In 2026, UCB will continue this tradition by awarding 33 one-time scholarships to eligible candidates.

Scholarship Awards

The UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program offers several types of awards:

General Scholarships: Thirty applicants who demonstrate academic and personal achievement will receive scholarships of up to $5,000 each.
Epilepsy Leader Scholarships: Two applicants will receive Epilepsy Leader Scholarships of up to $10,000 each, honoring the late Sandra Helmers, MD, MPH, and the late John M. Pellock, MD, two prominent figures in the epilepsy community who passed away in 2016.
Joe D'Souza Memorial Scholarship: One applicant will receive the Joe D'Souza Memorial Scholarship of up to $10,000, created in 2019 in memory of UCB's beloved global medical director.

Honoring Leaders in the Epilepsy Community

The Epilepsy Leader Scholarships serve as a tribute to Dr. Jack Pellock and Dr. Sandy Helmers, recognizing their significant contributions to the epilepsy community. Recipients of these scholarships will exemplify the qualities that Drs. Helmers and Pellock were known for, including:

A desire to advocate for and serve others
An interest in positively contributing to the epilepsy community
A persevering spirit

The Joe D'Souza Memorial Scholarship pays homage to Dr. D'Souza's unwavering commitment to those who suffer from epilepsy disorders and his dedication to advancing epilepsy treatment. The recipient of this scholarship will embody Dr. D'Souza's spirit, characterized by honesty, integrity, and genuine concern for the well-being of his colleagues and the epilepsy community.

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Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be a legal resident of the United States.
Be diagnosed with epilepsy by a physician or be the immediate family member (parent, spouse, child, or sibling) and/or caregiver of a person with epilepsy.
Be seeking an associate's, undergraduate, or graduate degree, or be enrolled in a trade school educational program.
Be a student who demonstrates academic and personal achievement, possesses a strong record of participation in activities outside of school, and serves as a positive role model for others.
Be graduating from high school in 2026 or have already graduated from high school.
Be enrolled in, or awaiting acceptance from, a United States-based center for higher learning for the fall semester 2026.
Not be an employee of UCB or an immediate family member of a UCB employee (spouses, domestic partners, children, parents, grandchildren, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, stepchildren, stepsisters, and stepbrothers). Additionally, immediate family members of healthcare professionals who directly or indirectly influence the prescribing of epilepsy medications are not eligible to apply.
Not be an individual who, within the past two years, has engaged in advocacy on behalf of UCB and/or has received financial payments or other compensation from UCB (including consulting, speaking, or advisory roles).

Unique Aspects of the Program

The UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program stands out for several reasons:

It is the longest-running pharma-sponsored epilepsy scholarship program.
It does not have a GPA requirement.
It is not based on financial need.
It is not limited to a particular field of study.
It is open to students attending any accredited United States-based institution of higher learning.
SAT/ACT scores are not required.

Selection Process

A panel of medical professionals specializing in neurology and patient advocates from across the country, chosen by UCB, will select the scholarship recipients. The selection process is based on the following criteria, which must be included in the application:

A one-page essay authored by the applicant explaining why the applicant should be selected for the scholarship and how the scholarship will benefit him/her. The essay should include any:
- Academic achievements
- Community service activities and/or advocacy efforts
- Examples of how the applicant has positively contributed to the epilepsy community or plans to do so in the future
- How epilepsy has impacted the applicant's life, either as a person living with epilepsy or as a family member/caregiver to a person living with epilepsy
Three letters of recommendation:
- School official’s recommendation letter
- Community member’s recommendation letter
- Healthcare team member’s recommendation letter
Medical history form for the person living with epilepsy
A copy of the applicant’s most recent academic transcript
Applicants pursuing degrees in the arts are welcome to include an artistic presentation. This is an optional item.

Use of UCB products is not considered and does not increase your chances of winning.

Scholarship Usage

Scholarship awards may be used to cover the recipient's tuition and/or educational materials expenses. However, if a recipient does not have a minimum of $5,000 ($10,000 for the Epilepsy Leader and Joe D'Souza Memorial Scholarship recipients) in educational expenses owed for his/her schooling, the scholarship will only cover the remaining amount. If upon contacting an applicant UCB learns he/she does not have any remaining costs owed to the academic institution, he/she will no longer be eligible for the scholarship.

Application Procedures

To apply for the UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program, applicants must submit a completed application and all required supporting documents by no later than Sunday, March 15, 2026. Sections of the application will need to be completed by the applicant, a parent/guardian (if the applicant is under 18), a school official, a member of the community, and a member of the applicant’s healthcare team or, if the applicant is a family member or caregiver, a member of the patient's healthcare team.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

While the UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship is a significant resource, other scholarship opportunities exist for students pursuing higher education. These include:

Skechers Foundation Scholarships: The Skechers Foundation offers exclusive scholarships, awarding 33 scholarships annually to post-secondary students diagnosed with epilepsy or who are immediate family members or caregivers to someone with epilepsy.
"Be Bold" Scholarship: The "Be Bold" Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile.
Scholarships360 "No Essay" Scholarship: The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education.
SeniorCare.com Scholarship: SeniorCare.com awards an annual college scholarship to an individual that best demonstrates why "Aging Matters" to them.
Charles L. Shor Scholarship: The Charles L. Shor Scholarship supports students diagnosed with epilepsy who are furthering their education.
National Black Nurses Association Scholarships: The National Black Nurses Association offers scholarships to students at all levels (LPN to Doctorate).
Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarships: Scholarships and other monetary support are available to help with costs when you join Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).

Additional Resources

For help writing the essay component of scholarship applications, resources like "How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay" and "How to Start a Scholarship Essay (With Examples)" can provide valuable guidance.

tags: #ucb #family #epilepsy #scholarship #requirements