The Pfizer Research Grant Request for Proposals – Competitive Grant Program, using an Expert Review Panel, seeks to generate real-world evidence on the functional and non-respiratory burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection in hospitalised adults in Italy. Independent research projects will focus on characterising functional decline, loss of independence, and healthcare dependency following RSV-related hospitalisation in older adults and patients with pre-existing vulnerability, using routinely collected hospital data.

Overview

This competitive programme supports research that addresses the role of RSV as a trigger of functional decline, loss of independence, and sustained healthcare dependency in older adults and patients with chronic cardiovascular or pulmonary disease. Findings are intended to support a more comprehensive understanding of RSV's impact beyond the acute respiratory event, informing improved risk stratification of vulnerable patients, targeted prevention strategies, and post-discharge care pathways for adult populations at increased risk of functional decline.

Research Areas

Projects considered for support will focus on the role of RSV infection in non-respiratory outcomes in hospitalised adults, with emphasis on functional decline, cardiovascular complications, and post-acute healthcare dependency. Areas of interest include:

• Epidemiological characterisation of RSV-related hospitalisations in adults at increased risk, including patient demographics, comorbidity profiles, and markers of baseline vulnerability
• Acute non-respiratory complications associated with RSV infection, including cardiovascular events and indicators of functional stress during hospitalisation (e.g., prolonged length of stay, need for higher-level care, and complications that may contribute to subsequent loss of independence)
• Post-discharge outcomes as proxies of functional decline, including hospital readmissions, emergency department visits, discharge to rehabilitation or long-term care facilities, and markers of sustained healthcare utilisation

Priority will be given to studies with definitive plans for publishing results in public forums, such as presentations at conferences or congresses, abstracts or posters, and publications in local or international journals.

Funding and Benefits

Funding Range: Individual projects requesting up to EUR 150,000.00 will be considered.

Total Available Budget: The estimated total available budget related to this RFP is EUR 300,000.00.

Project Length: Maximum project length is 18 months.

Award Details: Award amounts include direct costs, institutional overhead costs (capped at 28% per Pfizer policy), and indirect costs. The amount of the grant will depend upon the expert review panel’s evaluation of the proposal and costs involved, and will be stated clearly in the grant agreement.

Eligibility

Geographic Scope: Italy

Applicant Eligibility Criteria:

• The institution and Principal Investigator (PI) must be based in Italy.
• Only organizations are eligible to receive grants, not individuals or medical practice groups.
• Research projects may only be conducted within institutions recognized for their research activities. Potential recipients include: Research Institutes (IRCCS, Universities, ASLs, Hospitals), Scientific Societies, Scientific Medical Associations, Local/Regional Institutions, Public/Private Consortia, and Cooperative Societies.
• If the project involves multiple departments or institutions, all must have a relevant role, and the requesting organization must have a key role.
• The PI must have a medical or postdoctoral degree (MD, PhD, or equivalent), an advanced nursing degree (BSN with a MS/PhD), or a degree in Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, or Social Work.
• The applicant must be the PI or an authorized designee.
• The PI must be an employee or contractor of the requesting organization.
• The proposing body/institution must formally assume all responsibilities related to the role of study sponsor, including compliance with all requirements necessary to request approval from the Ethics Committee and reporting requirements.
• The requesting organization must be legally able to receive award funding directly from Pfizer LLC.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted via the online portal at https://www.cybergrants.com/pfizer/Research. First-time users should click “Create your password”. Click the “Start A New Research Grant Application” button.

Submission Requirements:

• Complete all required sections of the online application.
• Upload the proposal in the Proposal/Protocol field.
• For the question “Competitive Grant?” select “Yes”.
• Select the following Primary Area of Interest: Infectious Disease – Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)- Older Adults.
• Select the following Competitive Grant Program Name: 2026 VAC Italy RSV RES.

Applications submitted after the due date will not be reviewed. The Grant Management System will not be available from 27 July to 16 August 2026.

For questions regarding this RFP, direct them in writing to the Grant Officer, Nicola Fenderico (Nicola.Fenderico@Pfizer.com), with the subject line “The Role of RSV in Functional Decline and Healthcare Dependency in Hospitalised Adults”.

Deadline and Timeline

Submission Deadline: 19 OCT 2026 (23:59 Eastern Standard Time, e.g., New York, GMT -5)

Anticipated Grant Award Notification: JAN 2027

Anticipated Project Start Date: APR 2027

Anticipated Project End Date: OCT 2028