RFPs: Surveillance of Pneumococcal Disease Serotype Distribution (Turkey)

Deadline: 04-May-2026

The Pfizer Research Grant supports studies on pneumococcal disease serotype distribution in Türkiye, focusing on both pediatric and adult populations. Projects may use active and passive surveillance, advanced diagnostics, and antimicrobial resistance testing, with funding up to $120,000–$180,000 over three years.

Overview

The Pfizer Research Grant for Proposals on Surveillance of Pneumococcal Disease Serotype Distribution aims to enhance epidemiological understanding of pneumococcal infections in Türkiye. The program supports studies that investigate:

• Serotype-specific prevalence and distribution
• Clinically confirmed pneumococcal infections
• Antimicrobial resistance patterns
• Integration of advanced diagnostic techniques
• Active and passive surveillance across pediatric and adult populations

Projects are designed to provide high-quality epidemiological insights, helping public health authorities understand disease burden, serotype variation, and resistance trends.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants must:

• Be organizations based in Türkiye legally able to receive funding from Pfizer International LLC
• Have a Principal Investigator (PI) with an MD, PhD, or equivalent degree, affiliated with the applying organization
• Collaborations are allowed if all participating institutions have clearly defined and relevant roles

Eligible Projects

Projects should focus on observational research using:

• Prospective or bidirectional cohort designs
• Active surveillance in outpatient, inpatient, and emergency settings
• Passive surveillance through hospital records, lab reports, or electronic health records
• Serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using internationally accepted methods, such as broth microdilution, Etest, or disk diffusion
• Integration of advanced diagnostic methods to improve serotype identification

Funding Details

• Standard funding: Up to $120,000 USD per project
• Extended funding: Up to $180,000 USD for projects requiring third-party lab services or sample transportation
• Project duration: Maximum of three years
• Purpose: Support high-quality surveillance research that fills gaps in pneumococcal disease data

How to Apply

1. Confirm your organization and PI meet eligibility criteria.
2. Develop a research proposal outlining objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and data sources.
3. Include a plan for active and/or passive surveillance, serotyping, and antimicrobial testing.
4. Submit the proposal through the official Pfizer grant application portal by the specified deadline.

Key Considerations and Tips

• Focus on clinically confirmed cases to ensure robust data quality.
• Demonstrate integration of electronic health records and lab data for comprehensive surveillance.
• Ensure proposed methods align with international standards for serotyping and resistance testing.
• Plan for collaboration and clearly defined roles if multiple institutions are involved.
• Highlight the public health significance of the study, including potential policy or clinical implications.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is eligible to apply?
   Organizations based in Türkiye with a qualified Principal Investigator (MD, PhD, or equivalent).
2. Can multiple institutions collaborate on a project?
   Yes, provided all participating institutions have defined, relevant roles.
3. What types of research projects are supported?
   Observational studies using active or passive surveillance, serotyping, and antimicrobial susceptibility analysis.
4. What is the maximum funding and duration?
   Up to $120,000 USD (or $180,000 USD for projects with third-party lab services) for a maximum of three years.
5. Which methods are acceptable for antimicrobial susceptibility testing?
   Broth microdilution, Etest, or disk diffusion according to internationally accepted standards.
6. Can data be collected from outpatient and hospital settings?
   Yes, studies should incorporate both inpatient and outpatient data sources where possible.
7. Is the use of advanced diagnostic techniques encouraged?
   Yes, integrating advanced diagnostics is key to improving serotype identification and study impact.

Conclusion

The Pfizer Research Grant provides an important opportunity for organizations in Türkiye to strengthen pneumococcal disease surveillance. By supporting structured, high-quality observational research, the program advances understanding of serotype distribution, resistance patterns, and disease burden, contributing to evidence-based public health decision-making.

For more information, visit Pfizer.