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Launching Pfizer’s Sickle Cell Advocacy & Leadership Empowerment (SCALE) Grants

Building on our long-term history and commitment to the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) community, Pfizer is launching a competitive grant program, Sickle Cell Advocacy & Leadership Empowerment, intended to fund research areas and community programs that foster ideas to accelerate policy change.

The full application can be seen here. Applications open September 15th 2025 and are due by October 15th 2025.  

Apply Now Details

Background

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) affects over 100,000 people in the United States, yet it remains one of the most overlooked and misunderstood conditions. Pfizer is dedicated to supporting solutions that help highlight the significant burden of SCD and bring hope to the SCD community.

Individuals living with SCD face persistent lifelong challenges in receiving the care they need due to various factors, including:

  • Ongoing stigma and healthcare disparities, attributed to difficulty in accessing appropriate care or having symptoms stigmatized and dismissed when seeking care.
  • Shortage of SCD specialists, which can delay transition from pediatric to adult care and potentially lead to disease progression, complications, or even increased mortality.
  • Limited access to treatment centers, from those living in rural areas to patients that lack transportation, which potentially leads to delayed care and treatment.

However, from a health policy and public health perspective, progress is being made to support access to comprehensive care.

At a federal level, Congress passed the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act which authorizes grants for initiatives aimed at improving patient care and treatment, including surveillance and research. In addition, several states are playing an important role in funding SCD related programs to improve data collection, enhance comprehensive care and increase provider education on SCD. Despite these efforts, barriers in care for the SCD community remain.

At Pfizer, we are committed to helping to close these gaps. Through the new SCALE initiative, alongside our partners, we are supporting initiatives that aim to improve the quality of life for SCD patients while driving meaningful, impactful policy change. Together, we can make lasting change.

Grant Purpose

The SCALE Grants program seeks to explore innovative approaches to some of the most persistent challenges in access to care impacting those living with SCD, including, but not limited to:

  • Initiatives that evaluate community programs that expand access to care, especially for those in underserved and rural communities.
  • Novel advocacy initiatives that raise awareness about SCD-related challenges and unmet healthcare needs.
  • Monitoring data systems that identify healthcare gaps that support advocacy and drive policy change.

Grant Categories

To apply for this grant, an application must address one or more of the following categories:

  • Assessment & Analysis: Improves and sustains care for people living with SCD by addressing social determinants, access to healthcare, and improving health outcomes. This can include programs that evaluate community outreach models (e.g. mobile health clinics, day hospitals) and rural initiatives. Application should include a thorough plan on how the program metrics will be utilized to shape public policy.
  • Policy & Advocacy: Empowers communities to advocate for better access to care by shaping healthcare policy to support the community, hosting policy outreach/grassroots events and strengthening of advocacy skill sets by connecting organizations across states.
  • Data Collection/Surveillance: Identifies existing gaps for SCD care across healthcare systems. Programs could include evidence generation and research to support advocacy efforts.

Grant Eligibility

Grant application submissions will need to demonstrate:

  • Alignment to at least one of the ‘Grant Categories’ to help improve the lives of those impacted by SCD
  • Quantifiable program impact and ability to measure results/outcomes
  • Connection of program elements to potential policy goals/change (short-term/long-term)
  • Capacity to deliver quality program(s) to achieve established goals, and plan for policy advocacy

Grant Amount & Parameters

Pfizer will be awarding a total of 150,000 USD in accelerator grants; funding that supports the development and scaling of innovative health solutions or services to improve healthcare outcomes in the SCD space and drive policy change. The amount awarded will depend upon the needs of the project.

Applications open in September 15th 2025 and must be completed by October 15th 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

For questions, refer to medical grants portal.

    • Applications should be submitted through Pfizer’s Grant Portal. Submissions are due by October 15th 2025.
    • Follow the below steps to submit your application:
      • Step 1: Complete the application form which can be accessed here. Ensure your responses meet the criteria of the category that best applies to your project.
      • Step 2: Select the appropriate application portal for your submission based on the category of your proposed initiative:
      • Step 3:
        • For the question “Competitive Grant?” select Yes
        • Select the following Competitive Grant Program Name: 2025 RD US SCALE Grants RES IME
      • Step 4: Upload the fully completed proposal template. Applicants must answer the questions in the grant portal and upload the proposal template.
    • The SCALE Grants program is seeding funding to begin novel projects only. (i.e.: data collection underscoring need in rural areas, etc.)
    • The estimated total to be awarded for this grant program will be $150K. Pfizer anticipates awarding 5-7 pilot accelerator projects in total. Anticipated project length is 12-18 months.
    • Award amounts include direct costs, institutional overhead costs (capped at 28% per Pfizer policy), and indirect costs.
    • All applicants will be notified via email upon submission. Applicants may be asked for additional clarification during the review period.
    • If your grant is approved, your institution will be required to enter into a written grant agreement with Pfizer.