The OPTIMA-HEMA Project (Optimizing the Management and Application of Novel Immunotherapies in Hematologic Malignancies) is a competitive grant program that seeks proposals for quality-improvement initiatives aimed at advancing the quality of health care and clinical practice in the use of novel immunotherapies, including Bispecific Antibodies (BsAbs) and Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs), for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) or B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Funded projects will be required to describe the efficacy of the proposed clinical initiative using outcome measures that demonstrate improvements in the clinical management of immunotherapies for patients with MM or B-ALL, as well as improvements in patients' health status and quality of life.

Overview

This competitive program supports evidence-based, implementation-focused projects that address critical gaps in care delivery for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The programme emphasises scalable models that improve coordination, reduce complications, and standardise clinical practice across treatment settings in Mainland China. Projects should focus on system-level interventions that enable effective delivery of bispecific antibodies and related immunotherapies across real-world care settings.

Research Areas and Activities

Proposals should address one or more of the following priority areas:

• Integrated Care Delivery: Optimise end-to-end care pathways for patients receiving immunotherapies; improve transitions of care (e.g., inpatient to outpatient); reduce hospital length of stay, readmissions, and return visits.
• Adverse Event Management Systems: Implement standardised protocols and clinical pathways for early detection and management of treatment-related adverse events, with focus on infections, cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), and veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (VOD/SOS).
• Networked Models of Care: Establish collaborative frameworks between tertiary centers and community providers; enable appropriate patient selection, referral, and co-management; expand access to specialised expertise in routine practice.
• Diagnostic and Treatment Optimization: Improve patient identification and risk stratification; increase alignment with clinical guidelines and expert consensus; support consistent, evidence-based treatment decision-making.

Preference will be given to projects that deliver sustainable improvements in patient care and outcomes, address real-world implementation barriers in immunotherapy management, and demonstrate practical applicability beyond a single institution.

Eligibility

Geographic Scope: Mainland China

Applicant Eligibility Criteria:

• The following may apply: medical, dental, nursing, allied health, and/or pharmacy professional schools; healthcare institutions (both large and small); professional organisations; government agencies; and other entities with a mission related to healthcare improvement.
• Only organisations are eligible to receive grants, not individuals or medical practice groups (i.e., an independent group of physicians not affiliated with a hospital, academic institution, or professional society).
• Collaborations within institutions, as well as between different institutions, organisations, and associations, are encouraged. All partners must have a relevant role and the requesting organisation must have a key role in the project.
• The applicant must be the Project Lead/Principal Investigator (PI) or an authorised designee of such individual.
• The Project Lead/PI must be an employee or contractor of the requesting organisation.
• The requesting organisation must be legally able to receive award funding directly from Pfizer Investment Co., Ltd.

Funding and Benefits

The total available budget related to this Request for Proposals is $128,000. Individual projects requesting up to $40,000 will be considered, with an anticipated 4 awards. The maximum project length is 2 years. Award amounts include direct costs, institutional overhead costs (capped at 28% per Pfizer policy), and indirect costs.

Deadline and Timeline

• RFP Release Date: 20 MAY 2026
• Submission Deadline: 15 JUL 2026 (23:59 Eastern Standard Time, New York, GMT -5)
• Anticipated Grant Award Notification: SEP 2026
• Anticipated Project Start Date: NOV 2026
• Anticipated Project End Date: NOV 2028

Applications submitted after the due date will not be reviewed.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted via the online portal at www.cybergrants.com/pfizer/QI. First-time users should click "Create your password". Once signed in, click the "Start A New Quality Improvement Grant Application" button. Complete all required sections of the online application and upload the proposal in the Proposal/Protocol field. In the application, for the question "Competitive Grant?" select "Yes", then select the following Primary Area of Interest: Oncology - Hematologic - QI, and select the following Competitive Grant Program Name: 2026 ONC CN Multiple Myeloma and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia QI.

Budget Note: The budget amount requested must be in Chinese Yuan (CNY). Pfizer does not provide funding for capital purchases such as equipment, software purchases or licenses, technology, or bricks and mortar. Equipment hire/leasing is acceptable and may be included in the project budget. Grants awarded cannot be used to purchase Pfizer therapeutic agents.

Required Documents: Project Plan or Proposal (single-spaced, Calibri 12-point font, 1-inch margins, 15-page limit exclusive of references) addressing the following sections: Goals and Objectives, Assessment of Need for the Project, Target Audience, Project Design and Methods, Innovation, Evaluation and Outcomes, Anticipated Project Timeline, Additional Information, Organization Detail, and Budget Detail.

For questions regarding this RFP, direct them in writing to the Grant Officer, Juan Liu, at GMGChina@pfizer.com with the subject line "2026 ONC CN Multiple Myeloma and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia QI –20 May 2026". For technical difficulties with the website, use the "Technical Questions" link at the bottom of the page in cybergrants.