2027 Teens Speak Up! Self-Nomination Process
Self-nomination Form Instructions (please read thoroughly):
The Teens Speak Up! & Public Policy Institute (TSU) is one of the Epilepsy Foundation of America's signature advocacy initiatives, bringing together teens living with epilepsy, family members, staff, healthcare providers, and volunteers from across the country to make a difference. TSU will occur Sunday, April 11, 2027 – Tuesday, April 13, 2027, in Washington, D.C.
All interested teens must self-nominate. This form is intended to be completed by teens who have not previously attended the conference. All nominees must be between the ages of 13 to 17 as of4/11/2027, and at least in middle school. Teens living with epilepsy are the main focus of the event and we welcome all teens with epilepsy to self-nominate. However, if the teen living with epilepsy or seizure disorder is unable to travel to Washington, D.C., due to health or disability-related concerns, we have a limited number of spots for siblings of children or teens with epilepsy to participate. Siblings who have lost their brother or sister to epilepsy may also apply. The sibling applying must still meet the age specifications for participation. All nominees must reside in the United States. In addition, all nominees must be able to commit to full participation in the event and Year of Service.
The self-nomination form cannot be saved, so you must complete the form in one sitting. Unless otherwise noted, all questions are required.
The deadline to submit a self-nomination form is Friday, August 31, 2026. Please answer the questions below and provide as much background as possible. You will be required to submit 1-2 paragraph responses to 3 short essay questions. You can also submit a video response to these questions if you prefer. These questions are provided below to help you prepare ahead of your submission. We recommend working on and preparing responses to those questions before you attempt to complete the form. If your essay questions are completed in advance, we still recommend setting aside at least 20 minutes to complete and submit the form to ensure your work is not lost.
- We want to get to know you better so please tell us a little more about yourself! What kind of activities are you engaged in? What do you love to do? (e.g. academics, athletics, hobbies, etc.)
- Why do you think it is important to advocate or speak up about epilepsy?
- Why do you believe you would be a good candidate for the TSU program?
Parents/guardians are welcome to help teens complete the self-nomination form. However, an important part of being a TSU teen is speaking up for oneself, so we ask that the teen nominees submit answers to the essay questions in their own words.
We strongly encourage self-nominees to obtain a letter of recommendation to accompany their submission. The letter of recommendation can come from a teacher, community leader, faith leader, coach, etc. Consider who knows you and can speak to your character and potential. Recommenders can submit their letter at this link by Friday, August 31, 2026.
If you have questions about eligibility, need assistance, or have difficulty with the online form, please contact [email protected].