Overview

The Pfizer Research Grant – Pediatric Pneumococcal Disease and Serotype Distribution: Surveillance Studies in Saudi Arabia supports investigator-initiated research aimed at addressing gaps in the documentation of pneumococcal disease burden and serotype epidemiology in the pediatric population of Saudi Arabia. Despite two decades of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) use, incomplete local data hinders informed evaluation of disease burden and evolving epidemiology. The programme invites proposals that utilize surveillance methods to generate robust, locally relevant evidence to inform future prevention strategies.

Research Areas and Activities

Applicants are encouraged to address pneumococcal disease epidemiology in children through prospective or bidirectional cohort surveillance. Studies should focus on integrating advanced diagnostic techniques and understanding local pneumococcal serotype distribution. Eligible topics include:

• Surveillance studies addressing invasive and non-invasive pneumococcal disease serotype distribution in children less than 5 years of age, using sample sources obtained between 2023 and the end of 2029 from sterile sites (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid) and middle ear specimens from ear tube placement or eardrum rupture
• Genetic evolution of pneumococci following immunization programmes with PCV
• Antibiotic sensitivity information of Streptococcus pneumoniae in children less than 5 years of age

Projects may be based on retrospective serotyping data analysis from records, serotyping of laboratory samples currently under cold storage, or prospective surveillance of invasive and non-invasive pneumococcal disease with serotyping. Serotyping methods may include conventional (Quellung) or molecular (PCR or whole genome sequencing) approaches. Priority will be given to studies with definitive plans for publishing results in public forums such as conferences, congresses, or peer-reviewed journals.

Funding and Benefits

Individual projects requesting up to 400,000 USD will be considered. Projects exceeding this amount may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Award amounts include direct costs, institutional overhead costs (capped at 28% per Pfizer policy), and indirect costs. The maximum project length is 3 years. Grants are distributed following a fully executed agreement and submission of the final protocol, documentation of IRB/IEC approval, and regulatory approval or exemption as applicable.

Eligibility

• The institution and Principal Investigator (PI) must be based in Saudi Arabia
• Only organizations are eligible to receive grants; individuals or medical practice groups not affiliated with a hospital, academic institution, or professional society are not eligible
• The PI must hold a medical or postdoctoral degree (MD, PhD, or equivalent), an advanced nursing degree (BSN with MS/PhD), or a degree in Pharmacy
• The PI must be an employee or contractor of the requesting organization
• Multicenter collaboration is encouraged; if multiple departments or institutions are involved, all must have a relevant role and the requesting organization must have a key role
• The requesting organization must be legally able to receive award funding directly from Pfizer International LLC

Application Process

Proposals must be submitted through the online portal at www.cybergrants.com/pfizer/Research. First-time users should create a password before logging in. Applicants must click the “Start A New Research Grant Application” button and complete all required sections. The full proposal must be uploaded in the Proposal/Protocol field. In the application, select “Yes” for the Competitive Grant question, select VAV – Pneumococcal – RES as the Primary Area of Interest, and select 2026 VAC KSA Pneumococcal Disease in Children RES as the Competitive Grant Program Name.

Full proposals should be single-spaced using Calibri 12-point font with 1-inch margins and must not exceed 15 pages (excluding references). Submissions should address goals and objectives, assessment of need, target audience, project design and methods, innovation, evaluation and outcomes, anticipated project timeline, organization details, and a detailed budget in U.S. dollars. Letters of support from mentors or collaborators are encouraged for early-career applicants.

For questions regarding this RFP, direct inquiries in writing to the Grant Officer, Neha Singhal, at GlobalMedicalGrants@pfizer.com with the subject line “Pediatric Pneumococcal Disease and Serotype Distribution: Surveillance Studies in Saudi Arabia – 1APR2026”.

Deadline and Timeline

• RFP Release Date: 1 April 2026
• Submission Deadline: 1 June 2026 at 23:59 Eastern Standard Time (New York, GMT -5)
• Anticipated Grant Award Notification: September 2026
• Anticipated Project Start Date: November 2026
• Anticipated Project End Date: October 2029

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed. All applicants will be notified via email. Approved grants require a written grant agreement with Pfizer; modifications to grant agreements will not be reviewed unless a genuine conflict exists with applicable law.