Advancing Care for Patients with Advanced ALK+ Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Pfizer and ALK Positive have partnered to issue a request for proposals (RFP) focused on advancing care for patients with advanced ALK-positive (ALK+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a rare and aggressive subtype of lung cancer. Lung cancer is the most common cancer globally, and ALK+ NSCLC accounts for approximately 2% to 7% of these cases. While the development of ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has significantly improved patient outcomes, further education is needed to prepare patients and care partners for treatment, manage side effects, and make informed decisions about care. This grant opportunity seeks independent medical education initiatives that equip patients and care partners with knowledge and tools to manage ALK+ NSCLC treatment effectively. Eligible projects may include preparation materials for initiating ALK inhibitor therapy, content that promotes early recognition and management of treatment-related adverse events, and resources that support quality of life through lifestyle guidance. Additionally, proposals may feature multilingual tools that reflect patient preferences and foster inclusivity in care. Applicants must be organizations based in North America, South America, Europe, or Australia. Eligible entities include medical, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy schools, healthcare institutions, patient advocacy groups, professional medical societies, and medical education companies. Individuals and physician-owned practices are not eligible. Proposals may be collaborative, involving multiple departments or institutions, as long as the applicant organization plays a central role. Funding of up to $100,000 USD is available per project, and the total program budget is estimated at $400,000 USD. Projects may last up to 18 months. Overhead costs are permitted up to 28% of the total project budget, in line with Pfizer’s policy. Projects evaluating the clinical efficacy of therapeutic or diagnostic agents will not be considered; the focus remains on non-clinical educational initiatives. Applications are submitted through Pfizer’s CyberGrants portal, where applicants must complete all required sections and upload their proposal to the General RFP Submission field. Proposals must follow specific formatting guidelines and address required components, including goals, needs assessment, project design, evaluation, and dissemination plans. The submission deadline is February 18, 2026. Award notifications are expected in March or April 2026, and projects may begin as early as May 2026. Proposals will be reviewed by an expert review panel assembled by ALK Positive, with input from Pfizer Medical Affairs. Contact for inquiries is Amanda Stein at Amanda.J.Stein@pfizer.com. Educational grants awarded under this program are independent and must be developed and implemented without Pfizer’s involvement beyond funding.

Proposals should focus on non-clinical educational initiatives and align closely with stated goals: patient prep, adverse event recognition, decision-making, inclusivity. Clinical efficacy projects are not allowed.