This competitive grant program from Pfizer supports organizations with limited resources focused on Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). The program aims to facilitate medical education by enabling institutions to host a Visiting Professor with expertise in SCD management. The goal is to improve coordinated care for individuals living with SCD beyond acute care services.

Project Focus and Objectives

The primary focus is to support institutions in hosting a Sickle Cell Disease healthcare provider expert to foster educational exchanges. The expert should concentrate on establishing coordinated care for individuals with SCD, extending beyond acute care settings. Applicants must highlight educational gaps and explain how the selected expert will address them during the visit.

Priority will be given to plans that include robust opportunities for the expert to interact with healthcare providers at the host organization beyond traditional lectures. The host organization should be prepared to identify, invite, and host the expert.

The project's overall goal should be clearly stated, along with specific objectives related to learning and expected outcomes. A dissemination plan should describe how the project's benefits can extend beyond the grant period.

Funding Details and Project Timeline

Individual projects can request up to $15,000. This funding is intended to cover logistical management, expert travel, and honoraria. Pfizer anticipates awarding 3-5 grants under this program.

The anticipated project start date is on or after August 2025, and projects should aim to conclude before July 2026. Award amounts include direct costs, institutional overhead costs (capped at 28%), and indirect costs.

The amount Pfizer will fund depends on the expert review panel's evaluation of the proposal and associated costs. This amount will be clearly stated in the grant agreement.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants include medical and/or nursing professional schools, healthcare institutions (both large and small), professional organizations/medical societies, and other entities with a mission related to healthcare professional education and/or healthcare improvement. Only organizations are eligible; individuals or medical practice groups are not.

• 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.

• For projects offering continuing education credit, the requesting organization must be accredited.

If the project involves multiple departments within an institution or between different institutions, all institutions must have a relevant role, and the requesting organization must have a key role in the project.

Application and Submission Process

Applications must be submitted via the online portal. First-time users should create a password to begin the application process. Complete all required sections of the online application and upload your project proposal in the General RFP Submission field.

In the application, select "Yes" for the question "Competitive Grant?" and choose "Genetics - Sickle Cell Disease KG" as the Primary Area of Interest. Also, select "2025 RD US SCD Visiting Professorship" as the Competitive Grant Program Name.

The submission deadline is June 12, 2025, at 23:59 Eastern Standard Time. Applications submitted after this date will not be reviewed. Ensure your project proposal addresses the specified sections, including needs assessment, target audience, project design, innovation, evaluation, timeline, and dissemination plan.

Geographic Scope and Target Audience

The geographic scope of this program is limited to the United States. The primary area of interest is Sickle Cell Disease, with a focus on supporting opportunities for institutions to host medical experts.

The target audience includes healthcare teams providing care to young adults/adults living with sickle cell disease. Priority will be given to host health systems and institutions with limited SCD-focused resources and experience.

The goal is to enhance the knowledge and skills of healthcare providers in managing SCD, ultimately improving patient outcomes. The project should not duplicate other projects or materials already developed.