The first Ambassador for Epilepsy awards were presented in 1968. Since then a total of 265 people have been chosen as Ambassadors for Epilepsy.

The Ambassador for Epilepsy award is intended to honour outstanding international contributions to activities advancing the cause of epilepsy and reflects peer recognition of individual contributions.

The criteria for the Ambassador for Epilepsy Award is that the candidate must have made contributions above and beyond the call of duty, either voluntarily or professionally, in any scientific, clinical, educational or social support field of epilepsy. The candidate must have achieved international recognition: in other words, the individual has, by his or her efforts, significantly contributed towards the development of epilepsy care and the well-being of people with epilepsy in an international context. The Joint Executive Committee of IBE and ILAE will elect a maximum of 12 persons every two years.

Nominating Procedure

1. All IBE and ILAE chapters and all members of the Joint Executive Committees of IBE and ILAE will be invited to nominate a maximum of 4 candidates for election in any two-year period.
2. Nominees from the previous election, who did not receive the Award, will automatically be considered a nominee for one following election
3. The name and curriculum vitae of each nominee must be sent to the IBE Office no later than 3 months prior to the date of election, together with a completed copy of the nomination form and a letter setting out the reasons why his/her contribution has been sufficient to be considered for this Award.

The Joint Executive Committee will select the recipients of the Ambassador for Epilepsy Award, with a maximum of 12 candidates accepted. The decision of the Joint Executive Committee is final.