Optimizing the Experience of Patients with Bladder Cancer Through Multi-Disciplinary Care

The Pfizer and Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation Quality Improvement Request for Proposals titled "Optimizing the Experience of Patients with Bladder Cancer Through Multi-Disciplinary Care" is a competitive grant program designed to enhance the experience and outcomes of bladder cancer patients in the United States through multi-disciplinary care approaches. The grant is supported by Pfizer in collaboration with Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), and the Large Urology Group Practice Association (LUGPA). These organizations bring together expertise in oncology and healthcare improvement, ensuring the scientific focus of the program is aligned with the needs of bladder cancer patients. Bladder cancer is a significant health concern, ranking as the tenth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. With over 84,000 new diagnoses and more than 17,000 deaths expected in 2025, the need for improved care is pressing. The rapid advancements in detection and treatment have introduced variability in care quality and outcomes. The program aims to address these disparities by funding quality improvement projects that foster cohesive multi-disciplinary care across the disease continuum, from non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) to muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). Projects should focus on improving shared decision-making, optimizing care coordination, ensuring guideline adherence, leveraging technology for care navigation, and enhancing therapeutic management. Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S.-based organizations such as community clinics, medical institutions, nursing and allied health schools, healthcare institutions of all sizes, independent practice groups, professional organizations, and government agencies. Individuals and solo practices are not eligible. Collaborative proposals involving multiple institutions or professional groups are encouraged, provided all partners have a relevant role and the primary applicant is U.S.-based. Projects must be sustainable and demonstrate the potential for long-term impact beyond the grant period. Clinical research, education-only programming, and proposals focused primarily on supportive care measures are out of scope. Applicants must submit a detailed project proposal addressing specific requirements, including goals, needs assessment, project design, innovation, evaluation, and sustainability plans. Proposals should also detail the project timeline, budget, and organizational capacity. Required supporting documents include NIH-format biosketches for the principal investigator and co-investigators, institutional letters of support, and any additional letters from collaborating entities. The budget should not exceed $250,000, although exceptional proposals with broad impact potential may request up to $1 million. The total program budget is estimated at $1.5 million. Overhead costs are capped at 28 percent, and funds cannot be used for capital purchases or to buy Pfizer therapeutic agents. Applications must be submitted via the Pfizer CyberGrants portal by July 23, 2025, at 23:59 Eastern Standard Time. The proposal review process will occur between August and October 2025, with notifications expected by October 31, 2025. Approved grants will be distributed following the execution of an agreement and submission of necessary approvals. For questions, applicants may contact Lori Carpenter at [email protected] and Andrew L. Smith at [email protected], using the subject line "2025 ONC US CCF Bladder Cancer QI." This grant program emphasizes projects that translate existing knowledge into practice improvements that can be sustained within healthcare systems, aiming to make a tangible difference in the lives of bladder cancer patients.

Projects should be sustainable and designed for measurable impact. Collaborations and use of established guidelines and metrics are encouraged.