Grants to Enhance Patient-Centered Outcomes in Emergency Department Migraine Management

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), in collaboration with Pfizer Inc., has announced a funding opportunity intended to advance quality improvement for patients suffering from migraines in the emergency department setting. The request for proposals (RFP) was released on August 6, 2025, and seeks to support projects that address key challenges in migraine care delivery. The program is designed to support innovative approaches that can improve patient outcomes, reduce inefficiencies, and optimize resource use within emergency healthcare systems across the United States. The scope of this funding opportunity emphasizes improvements in migraine patient care within emergency departments. Eligible projects may include initiatives that reduce costs, shorten length of stay, lower return visits, improve pain control, shorten the time to pain control, or reduce unnecessary testing. Clinical research projects, particularly those evaluating therapeutic or diagnostic agent efficacy, will not be considered. Instead, the intent is to prioritize quality improvement efforts with direct impact on patient experience and care processes. Applicants may request funding of up to $200,000 USD per project, inclusive of direct, overhead, and indirect costs. Pfizer policy caps institutional overhead at 28 percent. The total anticipated program budget is approximately $600,000 USD, and the funders expect to support three to four projects. Maximum project duration is two years. Awards will be determined based on the review of submitted proposals by an expert review panel, and funding will only be distributed after execution of an agreement and submission of final documentation such as protocols, IRB/IEC approval, or relevant exemptions or waivers. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to organizations and not individuals. Eligible entities include medical, dental, nursing, allied health, or pharmacy professional schools; healthcare institutions of all sizes; professional organizations; government agencies; and other organizations with a mission aligned to healthcare improvement. Independent physician practice groups not affiliated with an institution are not eligible. The project lead or principal investigator must be employed or contracted by the applicant organization. Collaborations are encouraged both within and across institutions, provided all partners contribute meaningfully to the project. It is also required that organizations confirm their legal ability to receive funds directly from Pfizer prior to application. Applications must be submitted online at www.cybergrants.com/pfizer/QI by September 29, 2025, no later than 23:59 Eastern Standard Time. First-time users must create login credentials, and proposals must be uploaded in the required section. During application, applicants should identify the grant as competitive, select “Migraine” as the primary area of interest, and choose the program “2025 IM US ACEP Migraine QI.” Applications not following the submission instructions will not be accepted. Technical support is available through the portal, and questions regarding the RFP should be directed in writing to Sue Lee, the Grant Officer, at sue.lee@pfizer.com, with the subject line “2025 IM US ACEP Migraine QI and August 2025.” The review and award process will be overseen by an expert review panel. Anticipated key dates include the submission deadline of September 29, 2025, notification of awards on October 31, 2025, and project initiation in January 2026. These timelines emphasize the importance of timely submission and adherence to requirements, as late applications will not be reviewed. Ultimately, the program aims to promote collaborative, sustainable quality improvement projects with potential to significantly improve emergency department care for patients with migraines.

Applications not following submission requirements will be rejected. Confirm eligibility to accept Pfizer funding. Collaborations should assign relevant roles.