The Optimizing Early Biomarker Testing to Guide Clinical Decision-Making in Colorectal Cancer Across Latin America Competitive Grant Program, issued by Pfizer Independent Medical Education, supports independent medical education initiatives aimed at improving biomarker testing in colorectal cancer (CRC) across the region.

Overview

Despite the availability of biomarker testing recommendations in various guidelines, variability in access, limited awareness, and gaps in clinical implementation continue to impact optimal patient management. This initiative seeks to enhance knowledge, close diagnostic and clinical practice gaps, and support the appropriate use of biomarker-driven management strategies to improve outcomes in CRC. The geographic scope includes Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina.

Funding and Benefits

Funding Range: Individual projects may request funding ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 USD for single-country projects, or up to $200,000 USD for larger, multi-country projects with regional impact.

Total Available Budget: The estimated total available budget related to this RFP is $250,000 USD.

Project Length: Anticipated project start date is 19 November 2026, with an anticipated project end date of 31 December 2027.

Award amounts include direct costs, institutional overhead costs (capped at 28% per Pfizer policy), and indirect costs.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants: The following types of organizations may apply: medical, dental, nursing, allied health, and/or pharmacy professional schools; healthcare institutions (both large and small); professional organizations and medical societies; medical education companies; and other entities with a mission related to healthcare professional education and/or healthcare improvement.

Ineligible Applicants: Only organizations 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).

Additional Requirements:

• If the project involves multiple departments or institutions, all must have a relevant role and the requesting organization must have a key role.
• The applicant must be the project/program lead or an authorized designee.
• The project/program lead must be an employee or contractor of the requesting organization.
• The requesting organization must be legally able to receive award funding directly from Pfizer Inc.
• For projects offering continuing education credit, the requesting organization must be accredited.

Target Audience: Healthcare professionals involved in colorectal cancer management, including medical oncologists, pathologists, gastrointestinal surgeons, and multidisciplinary oncology teams.

Research Areas and Activities

Educational proposals should address one or more of the following priorities:

• Improving awareness and understanding of clinically actionable biomarkers in CRC (e.g., MSI/MMR, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, HER2), including appropriate patient identification and optimizing time-to-treatment
• Enhancing interpretation and clinical application of biomarker test results to support evidence-based treatment decision-making
• Strengthening knowledge and implementation of precision oncology principles in colorectal cancer management
• Building multidisciplinary capacity across oncology, pathology, and molecular diagnostics to support integrated care
• Improving integration of biomarker testing into clinical workflows and care pathways, including adoption of best practices such as reflex testing
• Supporting educational initiatives that drive behavioral change and improve adherence to guideline-based testing and treatment
• Promoting consistent implementation of biomarker-driven care in routine clinical practice
• Addressing variability in clinical practice and improving standardization of testing and treatment approaches
• Reducing disparities in access to biomarker testing across regions, institutions, and healthcare systems
• Advancing equitable delivery of precision oncology care through targeted educational strategies

Educational Formats Considered: Live or virtual educational programs (e.g., symposia, regional or national meetings, Grand Rounds), including peer-to-peer education and expert-led discussion forums with enduring materials; multicenter or regional educational collaboratives and structured learning networks; digital learning activities, including live and on-demand formats; and multimedia resources (e.g., videos, podcasts, infographics, animations). Proposals that include multidisciplinary approaches involving both clinicians and diagnostics experts are encouraged.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through the online portal. A new online application system will be introduced in mid-August 2026. The RFP opened on 24 July 2026; however, applications can only be submitted after the new system is implemented. The login URL for the new system and detailed application procedures will be provided through an update to this RFP on or after mid-August.

Project Proposals should be single-spaced using Calibri 12-point font and 1-inch margins, with a 15-page limit exclusive of references. Submissions must address the following sections: Goals and Objectives, Assessment of Need for the Project, Target Audience, Project Design and Methods, Innovation, Evaluation and Outcomes, Dissemination Plan, Anticipated Project Timeline, Additional Information, Organization Detail, and Budget Detail.

Review Process: Grant requests received in response to this RFP are reviewed by Pfizer to make final grant decisions. Applicants may be asked for additional clarification during the review period. All applicants will be notified via email by the dates noted above.

Deadline and Timeline

RFP Release Date: 24 July 2026

Submission Deadline: 10 September 2026, at 23:59 Eastern Standard Time (New York, GMT -5). Applications submitted after the due date will not be reviewed.

Anticipated Grant Award Notification: 14 October 2026

Anticipated Project Start Date: 19 November 2026

Anticipated Project End Date: 31 December 2027

Contact Information

Questions regarding this RFP should be directed in writing to the Grant Officer, Miguel Briceño, at miguelangel.briceno@pfizer.com with the subject line “Optimizing Early Biomarker Testing to Inform Clinical Decision-Making in Colorectal Cancer.”

Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Competitive Grant Program are available online.