Funding Call for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Education in Adults (US)

Deadline: 30-Jun-2026

Pfizer has launched a grant call to support independent medical education (IME) initiatives focused on adult RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) immunization strategies and related cardiorespiratory outcomes. The program aims to improve healthcare professional (HCP) education, strengthen awareness of RSV-related risks in adult populations (especially high-risk groups), and translate emerging clinical evidence into practical immunization strategies in healthcare settings.

Program focus areas

• Burden and cardiorespiratory impact of RSV: Understanding disease burden, complications, and cardiorespiratory outcomes in adults.

• Current adult RSV immunization recommendations: Reviewing guidelines and best practices for RSV vaccination in adults.

• Emerging evidence on RSV prevention: Latest clinical data, efficacy studies, and real-world evidence.

• Integration of RSV immunization into clinical practice: Implementing vaccination strategies in healthcare settings.

• High-risk adult populations: Focus on groups at higher risk of adverse RSV outcomes (e.g., older adults, immunocompromised, those with chronic cardiorespiratory conditions).

Funding details

• Maximum project funding: USD 200,000 per individual project.

• Funding type: Grant for independent medical education (not research).

• Purpose: Healthcare professional education and awareness-raising on RSV immunization.

Semantic SEO terms

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Expanded explanation of key concepts

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in adults

Traditionally associated with children, RSV is increasingly recognized as a significant cause of respiratory illness in adults, particularly older adults and those with underlying health conditions. RSV can lead to severe complications including pneumonia, exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure exacerbations, and increased mortality.

Cardiorespiratory impact

RSV infection can adversely affect both respiratory and cardiovascular systems:

• Respiratory: Bronchiolitis, pneumonia, COPD exacerbations, asthma exacerbations.

• Cardiovascular: Heart failure exacerbations, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, increased cardiovascular mortality.

• Combined: Patients with pre-existing cardiorespiratory conditions face higher risks of adverse outcomes.

Independent Medical Education (IME)

Education funded by industry but planned, implemented, and controlled by an independent educational provider (not the company). IME must:

• Maintain scientific independence and integrity.

• Be based on current evidence and best practices.

• Avoid promotional content for specific products.

• Address identified learning gaps among healthcare professionals.

Adult RSV immunization recommendations

Recent CDC/ACIP and other guidelines recommend RSV vaccination for:

• Adults aged 60 years and older (shared clinical decision-making).

• Adults aged 50–59 years with certain risk factors.

• Immunocompromised individuals.

• Those with chronic cardiorespiratory conditions (COPD, asthma, heart failure).

Priority topics for educational initiatives

• RSV epidemiology and disease burden in adult populations.

• Pathophysiology of RSV and cardiorespiratory complications.

• Current immunization guidelines and recommendations.

• Vaccine efficacy, safety, and durability of protection.

• Real-world evidence on RSV prevention outcomes.

• Identification and management of high-risk patients.

• Strategies for integrating RSV vaccination into routine clinical practice.

• Pharmacy, nursing, and primary care roles in RSV immunization.

• Addressing vaccine hesitancy and improving patient communication.

• Health equity considerations in RSV prevention.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants (organizations only)

• Medical professional schools.

• Dental professional schools.

• Nursing professional schools.

• Allied health professional schools.

• Pharmacy professional schools.

• Healthcare institutions (hospitals, health systems, clinics).

• Professional organizations.

• Medical societies.

• Medical education companies.

• Other healthcare-related entities.

Eligibility requirements

• Must be an organization (individuals are not eligible).

• Must demonstrate a clear role in project implementation.

• Must be legally able to receive funding directly from Pfizer Inc..

• Must ensure independence in educational content (IME compliance).

Program goals and objectives

• Improve HCP knowledge on RSV burden, prevention, and immunization.

• Strengthen awareness of RSV-related cardiorespiratory risks.

• Translate evidence into practice: Help HCPs implement RSV vaccination strategies.

• Target high-risk populations: Ensure clinicians identify and protect vulnerable adults.

• Support interprofessional education: Engage physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, allied health.

• Enhance patient outcomes: Reduce RSV-related morbidity and mortality through vaccination.

Eligible educational activities

• Live CME/CE events: Conferences, symposia, workshops, grand rounds.

• On-demand learning: Online modules, webcasts, recorded sessions.

• Digital learning tools: Interactive case studies, decision-support tools.

• Printed materials: Guidelines summaries, clinical pocket cards, patient education resources.

• Multimedia content: Videos, podcasts, infographics on RSV immunization.

• Interprofessional training: Programs engaging multiple healthcare disciplines.

• Practice-based learning: Quality improvement initiatives, implementation support.

Required documents (typical)

• Organization profile and legal documentation.

• Proof of ability to receive funding from Pfizer Inc.

• Project proposal including:

  • Learning needs assessment.

  • Educational objectives.

  • Target audience (HCP disciplines, specialties).

  • Content outline and methodology.

  • Timeline and implementation plan.

  • Evaluation plan (learning outcomes, behavior change).

• Budget (itemized, up to USD 200,000).

• Faculty/Presenter profiles (CVs, expertise in RSV/immunology).

• Disclosure forms (for faculty and planners to ensure independence).

• Accreditation documentation (CME/CE accreditation status).

• IME compliance statement (ensuring independence from Pfizer).

How to apply — step-by-step

1. Review grant guidelines:

   • Download full program details from Pfizer’s grant portal or medical education website.

2. Confirm eligibility:

   • Verify organization type and ability to receive funding from Pfizer.

3. Conduct learning needs assessment:

   • Identify knowledge gaps among HCPs on RSV immunization.

   • Gather data on current practice patterns and barriers.

4. Design educational program:

   • Select appropriate format (live, on-demand, digital, interprofessional).

   • Define clear learning objectives aligned with program focus areas.

   • Develop content outline covering RSV burden, guidelines, evidence, and implementation.

5. Identify faculty:

   • Recruit experts in infectious diseases, pulmonology, cardiology, geriatrics, pharmacy, nursing.

   • Ensure all faculty disclose relevant financial relationships.

6. Prepare budget:

   • Itemize costs (faculty honoraria, venue, AV, materials, platform fees, staff).

   • Request up to USD 200,000 (justify all line items).

7. Ensure IME compliance:

   • Confirm educational independence from Pfizer.

   • Include disclosure management and content review processes.

8. Compile application:

   • Proposal, budget, faculty profiles, accreditation docs, compliance statement.

9. Submit application:

   • Follow Pfizer’s submission portal and deadline.

10. Post-submission:

    • Respond to clarification requests.

    • If awarded, sign grant agreement and implement program.

    • Submit evaluation reports and financial accounting.

Budget considerations

• Maximum: USD 200,000 per project.

• Allowable costs:

  • Faculty honoraria and travel.

  • Venue rental and AV equipment.

  • Educational materials development and printing.

  • Digital platform fees (for online learning).

  • Staff time for program management.

  • Accreditation fees.

  • Evaluation and data collection.

• Unallowable costs:

  • Direct research costs (this is IME, not research).

  • Promotional content or product advertising.

  • Costs not directly related to educational activities.

• Budget justification: Provide clear rationale for all line items.

Evaluation and outcomes

Programs must include evaluation to measure:

• Learning outcomes: Knowledge acquisition (pre/post-tests).

• Competency: Skills improvement (case-based assessments).

• Behavior change: Self-reported practice changes.

• Patient outcomes (if applicable): Vaccination rates, RSV prevention metrics.

• Satisfaction: Participant feedback on content and format.

• Reach: Number of HCPs educated, geographic distribution.

IME compliance requirements

• Independence: Educational content controlled by grant recipient, not Pfizer.

• Balance: Present multiple viewpoints where evidence is evolving.

• Evidence-based: Content grounded in current scientific evidence and guidelines.

• Disclosure: All faculty disclose relevant financial relationships; conflicts managed.

• No promotion: Content must not promote specific Pfizer products or off-label use.

• Transparency: Acknowledge Pfizer grant support appropriately.

Common mistakes and tips

• Mistake: Proposal focused on research rather than education.

  • Tip: Ensure project is clearly educational (CME/CE), not research.

• Mistake: Insufficient learning needs assessment.

  • Tip: Provide data on knowledge gaps and practice barriers.

• Mistake: Weak evaluation plan.

  • Tip: Include measurable learning objectives and assessment methods.

• Mistake: No IME compliance statement.

  • Tip: Explicitly address independence and disclosure management.

• Mistake: Faculty with unmanaged conflicts of interest.

  • Tip: Screen faculty disclosures and manage conflicts appropriately.

• Mistake: Budget not justified.

  • Tip: Provide detailed rationale for all costs.

• Tip: Target interprofessional audiences (physicians, nurses, pharmacists).

• Tip: Focus on high-risk populations and practical implementation strategies.

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the maximum grant amount?

   • Up to USD 200,000 per individual project.

2. Who is eligible to apply?

   • Organizations only: medical/dental/nursing/allied health/pharmacy schools, healthcare institutions, professional organizations, medical societies, medical education companies, and healthcare-related entities.

3. Can individuals apply?

   • No. Only organizations are eligible to receive funding.

4. Is this grant for RSV research?

   • No. This supports independent medical education, not research. Projects must focus on healthcare professional education.

5. What topics should educational programs cover?

   • RSV burden and cardiorespiratory impact, adult immunization recommendations, emerging prevention evidence, and integration into clinical practice.

6. Can I use funds for promotional activities?

   • No. Content must be independent, evidence-based, and non-promotional (no product advertising).

7. What evaluation is required?

   • Programs must measure learning outcomes, competency, behavior change, satisfaction, and reach through pre/post-assessments and participant feedback.

Reporting and post-award obligations

• Implementation report: Describe activities conducted and participation metrics.

• Evaluation report: Present learning outcomes, behavior change data, and participant feedback.

• Financial report: Itemized expenditure accounting.

• Accreditation documentation: Maintain CME/CE accreditation records.

• IME compliance documentation: Ensure all disclosures and independence requirements were met.

• Acknowledgment: Appropriate acknowledgment of Pfizer grant support in all materials.

Strategic importance

• Public health impact: Adult RSV vaccination can reduce morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.

• Clinical practice gap: Many HCPs lack awareness of RSV risks and vaccination recommendations.

• High-risk populations: Older adults and those with cardiorespiratory conditions need targeted protection.

• Evidence translation: Emerging data on RSV prevention needs to reach practicing clinicians.

• Interprofessional approach: Pharmacists, nurses, and physicians all play roles in vaccination programs.

Conclusion

Pfizer’s IME grant program offers up to USD 200,000 to support independent medical education initiatives on adult RSV immunization strategies and cardiorespiratory outcomes. Competitive applicants are organizations with clear implementation roles, demonstrate IME compliance, conduct thorough learning needs assessments, design evidence-based educational programs, and provide robust evaluation plans to measure HCP learning and practice change.

For more information, visit Pfizer.