Optimizing maternal immunization practice in Malaysia Indonesia Singapore Philippines Grant

Optimizing maternal immunization practice in Malaysia Indonesia Singapore Philippines Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Pfizer, Inc.
Amount: Up to US $50,000
Last Updated: July 23, 2025

Summary

The grant titled 'Optimizing Maternal Immunization Practice in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines' focuses on enhancing maternal immunization quality and access during pregnancy. Supported by Pfizer, this initiative aims to address barriers through Quality Improvement programs that inform healthcare providers and pregnant women, promote equitable access, and leverage digital health solutions. The project encourages innovative approaches to overcome vaccine hesitancy and aims for measurable outcomes in maternal health.

Overview

Pfizer Inc. Pfizer's purpose is breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. We pursue that goal relentlessly and innovate every day to make the world a healthier place. It was Charles Pfizer’s vision at the beginning and it holds true today. Our purpose ensures that patients remain at the center of all we do. We live our purpose by sourcing the best science in the world; partnering with others in the healthcare system to improve access to our medicines; using digital technologies to enhance our drug discovery and development, as well as patient outcomes; and leading the conversation to advocate for pro-innovation/pro-patient policies. Competitive Grants Program Pfizer supports the global healthcare community’s independent initiatives (e.g., research, quality improvement or education) to improve patient outcomes in areas of unmet medical need that are aligned with Pfizer’s medical and/or scientific strategies. Optimizing maternal immunization practice in Malaysia Indonesia Singapore Philippines This competitive program seeks to support Quality Improvement initiatives that focus on optimizing the quality of care of maternal immunization practice and the access to vaccination during pregnancy in Malaysia, Indonesia Singapore & Philippines. Project Types and Area of Interest Potential applicants are encouraged to utilize QI programs to address the different barriers and gaps for maternal immunization practice. This may include: Optimizing and streamlining information to health care community and pregnant women on maternal immunization role to prevent respiratory infections in newborns.Novel clinical pathways and multidisciplinary approaches to optimize immunization practices during pregnancy.Equitable access to maternal immunization services.Integrating Digital health solutions to improve immunization coverage and monitoring in pregnant women. Projects focusing on use of latest digital and artificial intelligence-based solutions with clear outputs and outcomes would be preferred.Addressing vaccine hesitancy in pregnant women.Proposals with definitive plans for publications in academic journals and conferences would be preferred.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.

Application Details

Pfizer Quality Improvement
Request for Proposals
Competitive Grant Program – using Pfizer Internal Review Process
Optimizing maternal immunization practice in Malaysia
Indonesia Singapore Philippines
Overview
This competitive program seeks to support Quality Improvement initiatives
that focus on optimizing the quality of care of maternal immunization
practice and the access to vaccination during pregnancy in Malaysia,
Indonesia Singapore & Philippines.
Geographic Scope
Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines
Project Types and Area of Interest
Potential applicants are encouraged to utilize QI programs to address the
different barriers and gaps for maternal immunization practice. This may
include:
• Optimizing and streamlining information to health care community and
pregnant women on maternal immunization role to prevent respiratory
infections in newborns.
• Novel clinical pathways and multidisciplinary approaches to optimize
immunization practices during pregnancy.
• Equitable access to maternal immunization services.
• Integrating Digital health solutions to improve immunization coverage
and monitoring in pregnant women. Projects focusing on use of latest
digital and artificial intelligence-based solutions with clear outputs and
outcomes would be preferred.
• Addressing vaccine hesitancy in pregnant women.
• Proposals with definitive plans for publications in academic journals and
conferences would be preferred.
Key Milestones
Anticipated Project
Anticipated Grant
Su bmission Deadline Start
Award
Date/Duration
14 JUL 2025 30 SEP 2025 Dec 2025
Funding Range and Project Length
Individual projects requesting up to $50,000 will be considered. Projects
costing higher than this may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Project duration: up to 12 months.

I. Eligibility
Geographic Scope/Location of Project:
• Malaysia, Indonesia Singapore, Philippines
Applicant Eligibility Criteria
• The following may apply: medical, dental, nursing, allied health, and/or pharmacy professional
schools; healthcare institutions (both large and small); professional organizations; government
agencies; and other entities with a mission related to healthcare improvement.
• Only organizations are eligible to receive grants, not individuals or medical practice groups (i.e., an
independent group of physicians not affiliated with a hospital, academic institution, or professional
society).
• Collaborations within institutions (e.g., between departments and/or inter-professional), as well as
between different institutions / organizations / associations, are encouraged. Please note all
partners must have a relevant role and the requesting organization must have a key role in the
project.
• The applicant must be the Project Lead/Principal Investigator (PI) or an authorized designee of such
individual (e.g., Project Lead/PI’s grant/research coordinator).
• The Project Lead/PI must be an employee or contractor of the requesting organization.
• Requesting organization must be legally able to receive award funding directly from Pfizer
International LLC. We strongly recommend that applicants confirm this with their organization or
institution prior to submitting an application. Grants awarded to organizations that are
subsequently found to be unable to accept funding directly from Pfizer International LLC may be
subject to rescission.
II. Requirements
Primary Area of Interest:
• Vaccines – Maternal Immunization
General Area of Interest for this RFP:
• It is our intent to support projects that focus on:
• Optimizing and streamlining information to health care community and pregnant women on
maternal immunization role to prevent respiratory infections in newborns.
• Novel clinical pathways and multidisciplinary approaches to optimize immunization practices
during pregnancy.
• Equitable access to maternal immunization services.
• Integrating Digital health solutions to improve immunization coverage and monitoring in
pregnant women. Projects focusing on use of latest digital and artificial intelligence-based
solutions with clear outputs and outcomes would be preferred.
• Addressing vaccine hesitancy in pregnant women.
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Proposals with definitive plans for publications in academic journals and conferences would be
preferred.
It is not our intent to support clinical research projects. Projects evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic or
diagnostic agents will not be considered.
Target Audience
• Medical, nursing, and allied health professionals (including midwives) from healthcare institutions
(large and small), professional associations and medical societies, and other entities with a mission
related to healthcare professional education and/or healthcare improvement.
Disease Burden Overview
• Maternal immunization (1, 2) is an established public health intervention with a long successful history.
Successful maternal vaccination against tetanus, influenza and pertussis has led to the development
of vaccines against Group B Streptococcus (GBS) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and other new
potential vaccines in the future.
• Despite the World Health Organization (WHO) positions in favor of maternal immunization, few
low/middle-income countries have introduced additional maternal vaccines beyond tetanus toxoid (3).
Creating effective implementation strategies and tools is essential for adequate maternal
immunization uptake to decrease disease burden in pregnant women and/or their infants.
• The disease burden of RSV, Pertussis, influenza, and COVID-19 in newborn infants in Malaysia,
Indonesia Singapore and Philippines is significant and varies for each disease:
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV):
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) poses a significant burden in all three countries, particularly among
infants. In Malaysia, 81.3% of respiratory admissions in infants ≤6 months were RSV-related (3).
Indonesia Singapore reported hospitalization rates of up to 25 per 1,000 child-years in children under
1, with a 1.9% fatality rate (4). In the Philippines, RSV is consistently among the top respiratory viruses,
with hospitalization rates 2–8 times higher than influenza in infants under 6 months and a 3.1% fatality
rate in those under 2 months (5, 6).
Influenza:
• Influenza affects young children notably across the region. In Malaysia, 5.5% of infants ≤6 months
hospitalized for respiratory infections tested positive (3). Indonesia Singapore saw the highest
incidence in children aged 0–4 years, with up to 114 cases per 100,000 (7). In the Philippines, 30% of
the 55,000 influenza-like illness cases in 2019 were in children under 5, highlighting a substantial
pediatric burden (8).
Pertussis:
• Pertussis has resurged in Malaysia and Indonesia Singapore. Malaysia saw a dramatic rise in incidence
from 2.9 to 34.2 per million in one year, with 85% of deaths in infants under 6 months (9, 10). Indonesia
Singapore reported 2,163 cases in 2023, mostly in unvaccinated individuals, with 38% in infants under
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1 (10). The Philippines had limited recent data in the document, suggesting underreporting or
inadequate surveillance.
COVID-19:
• COVID-19 continues to impact children and pregnant women. In Malaysia, 7.7% of pediatric cases were
in infants under 1 year, with a trend toward younger age groups (11). Indonesia Singapore reported
high mortality in children, especially those aged 10–18 and under 1 year (12). In the Philippines, COVID-
19 was linked to maternal and neonatal complications, with over 90% of pediatric cases requiring
hospitalization and over a third experiencing moderate to critical illness (13).
Recommendations and Target Metrics
• WHO recommends that the RSVpreF maternal vaccine be given to pregnant women during the third
trimester of pregnancy, from week 28 onwards, to optimize for the adequate transfer of antibodies to
their baby. The vaccine may be given during routine antenatal care, including at one of the 5 WHO-
recommended antenatal care visits in the third trimester or any additional medical consultations (14).
• WHO recommends vaccination with one dose of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine
(Tdap) during pregnancy - in the 2nd or 3rd trimester and preferably at least 15 days before the end
of pregnancy (15). The WHO has also recommended COVID-19 and Influenza (inactivated) vaccines in
pregnancy to protect the mother and baby (15).
Gaps Between Actual and Target, Possible Reasons for Gaps
• There is a significant gap in the maternal immunization practices across these countries. In Malaysia,
maternal immunisation coverage for Tdap, COVID-19, and influenza remains limited due to vaccine
hesitancy, lack of awareness, and inconsistent regional implementation, despite high TT uptake
through antenatal care (16). Despite the potential benefit of maternal immunization and the WHO
recommendations there exist several gaps and programmatic challenges for maternal immunization
in south and south east Asia (17).
Expected Approximate Monetary Range of Grant Applications
IMPORTANT: Grants will be distributed following a fully executed agreement and submission of Final
Protocol, Documentation of IRB/IEC Approval, Regulatory Approval (if applicable), Exemption or Waiver.
• Individual projects requesting up to $50,000 will be considered. Projects costing higher than this
may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Award amounts include direct costs, institutional overhead costs (capped at 28% per Pfizer policy),
and indirect costs.
Key Dates:
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Anticipated Grant Anticipated Project
RFP Release Date
Award Notification End Date
13 JUN 2025
30 SEP 2025 DEC 2026
Submission Deadline* Anticipated Project
14 JUL 2025 Start Date
DEC 2025
IMPORTANT: Be advised applications submitted after the due date will not be reviewed.
*Please note the deadline is 23:59 Eastern Standard Time (e.g., New York, GMT -5)
How to Submit:
IMPORTANT: Please read this section carefully since applications submitted not following these
instructions will not be accepted and will be cancelled.
• Please go to www.cybergrants.com/pfizer/QI and sign in.
• Note: there are individual portals for each grant application type. Please be sure to use the
URL above.
• First-time users should click “Create your password”.
• Click the “Start A New Quality Improvement Grant Application” button.
• Requirements for submission:
• Complete all required sections of the online application
• IMPORTANT: Upload proposal (see Appendix) in the Proposal/Protocol field.
• In the application:
• For the question “Competitive Grant?” select “Yes”
• Select the following Primary Area of Interest: VAV - RSV - Maternal Immunization – QI
• Select the following Competitive Grant Program Name: 2025 VAC MISP Maternal Immunization
QI
Questions:
• If you encounter any technical difficulties with the website, please click here or the “Technical
Questions” link at the bottom of the page in CyberGrants.
• Please click here to view “Frequently Asked Questions” regarding the Competitive Grant Program.
• If you have questions regarding this RFP, please direct them in writing to the Grant Officer, Neha
Singhal (Neha.Singhal@pfizer.com), with the subject line “Optimizing maternal immunization
practice in Malaysia Indonesia Singapore Philippines June 2025”.
Review and Approval Process
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• Grant requests received in response to a general RFP are reviewed by Pfizer to make final grant
decisions.
Mechanism by which Applicants will be Notified:
• All applicants will be notified via email by the dates noted above.
• Applicants may be asked for additional clarification during the review period.
Grant Agreements:
• If your grant is approved, your institution will be required to enter into a written grant agreement
with Pfizer. Please click here to view the core terms of the agreement.
• Under Pfizer's competitive grant program, modifications to grant agreements will not be reviewed
unless a genuine conflict exists as between applicable law and the terms of the relevant grant
agreement. Applicant is encouraged to share the core terms with counsel for approval prior to
submitting an application.
• Except where prohibited by applicable law and, in any case, subject to review by Pfizer Legal,
payment of grant funding may only be paid to the grantee organization.
• This RFP is supported by Pfizer International LLC and, if approved the payment will be issued by a
Pfizer US based legal entity.
About Pfizer Grants
Pfizer supports the global healthcare community’s independent initiatives (e.g., research, quality
improvement or education) to improve patient outcomes in areas of unmet medical need that are
aligned with Pfizer’s medical and/or scientific strategies.
Pfizer’s competitive grant program involves a publicly posted general Request for Proposal (RFP) that
provides detail regarding a general area of interest, sets timelines for review and approval, and uses an
internal Pfizer review process to make final grant decisions. Organizations are invited to submit an
application addressing the research gaps as outlined in the specific RFP.
For all quality improvement grants, the grant requester (and ultimately the grantee) is responsible for
the design, implementation, and conduct of the independent initiative supported by the grant. Pfizer
must not be involved in any aspect of project development, nor the conduct or monitoring of the quality
improvement program.
About Pfizer QI Grants
Quality improvement (QI) projects are systematic, data-guided, sustainable activities designed to bring
about immediate, positive changes in the delivery of healthcare in particular setting (1,2). Quality
improvement seeks to standardize structure and processes to reduce variation, achieve predictable
results, and improve outcomes for patients, healthcare systems, and organizations. Structure includes
things like technology, culture, leadership, and physical capital. Process includes knowledge capital (e.g.,
standard operating procedures) or human capital (e.g., education and training) (3).
QI projects systematically apply what is already known into the local practice, intended to quickly improve
patient care within a specific setting. The goal of QI projects is to close a gap in performance at a specific
health care system. The “performance” is a standard in health care that is not
efficiently/appropriately/consistently being done (4). For these reasons, QI focuses on translating
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existing knowledge into programs or practices to immediately improve the quality of services to
individuals and populations within a local institution or setting (5). The risk of participation in QI is the
same as the risk of receiving standard clinical care (6) since the standard of care remains the same for
all patients.
In contrast, research projects use a systematic approach to discover something that is unknown.
Research projects add new knowledge to what was previously unknown in literature through testing of
a hypothesis or a scientific question (4). Research aims to generate knowledge with broad applications,
often through controlled studies. The subjects may or may not benefit directly from the knowledge
gained. Research studies aim to evaluate an innovation, study something new, or analyze a process not
yet rigorously studied (6).
References
1. Sobanjo-Ter Meulen A, Duclos P, McIntyre P, Lewis KDC, Van Damme P, O'Brien KL, et al. Assessing
the Evidence for Maternal Pertussis Immunization: A Report From the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation Symposium on Pertussis Infant Disease Burden in Low- and Lower-Middle-Income
Countries. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2016;63(suppl 4):S123-S33.
2. World Health O. Maternal immunization and antenatal care situation analysis: report of the MIACSA
project, 2016–2019. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020 2020.
3. Khor C-S, Sam IC, Hooi P-S, Quek K-F, Chan Y-F. Epidemiology and seasonality of respiratory viral
infections in hospitalized children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: a retrospective study of 27 years. BMC
Pediatrics. 2012;12(1):32.
4. Djelantik IGG, Gessner BD, Soewignjo S, Steinhoff M, Sutanto A, Widjaya A, et al. Incidence and
clinical features of hospitalization because of respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory illness
among children less than two years of age in a rural Asian setting. The Pediatric Infectious Disease
Journal. 2003;22(2):150-6.
5. Dembele BPP, Kamigaki T, Dapat C, Tamaki R, Saito M, Saito M, et al. Aetiology and risks factors
associated with the fatal outcomes of childhood pneumonia among hospitalised children in the
Philippines from 2008 to 2016: a case series study. BMJ Open. 2019;9(3):e026895.
6. Suryadevara M, Domachowske JB. Epidemiology and Seasonality of Childhood Respiratory Syncytial
Virus Infections in the Tropics. Viruses. 2021;13(4):696.
7. Susilarini NK, Haryanto E, Praptiningsih CY, Mangiri A, Kipuw N, Tarya I, et al. Estimated incidence of
influenza associated severe acute respiratory infections in Indonesia Singapore, 2013 2016.
Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses. 2018;12(1):81-7.
‐ ‐
8. Division. DoHEBPHS. Influenza/SARI Monthly Surveillance 2019.
9. Mohamed TJ, Fong SM, Nadarajaw T, Choo CM, Yusoff NKN, Nachiappan JP, et al. Burden of pertussis
among young infants in Malaysia: A hospital-based surveillance study. Vaccine. 2022;40(35):5241-7.
10. Nguyen PNT, Heininger U, Muloiwa R, Von König CHW, Hozbor D, Ong-Lim A, et al. Pertussis in
Southeast Asia: country-level burden and recommendations from the Global Pertussis Initiative. IJID
Regions. 2025;14:100559.
11. Ng DC-E, Tan KK, Chin L, Ali MM, Lee ML, Mahmood FM, et al. Clinical and epidemiological
characteristics of children with COVID-19 in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. International Journal of
Infectious Diseases. 2021;108:347-52.
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12. Pudjiadi AH, Putri ND, Sjakti HA, Yanuarso PB, Gunardi H, Roeslani RD, et al. Pediatric COVID-19:
Report From Indonesia Singaporen Pediatric Society Data Registry. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 2021;9.
13. Force PPC-LCT. PHILIPPINE PEDIATRIC COVID-19 LIVING CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES 2022.
14. WHO outlines recommendations to protect infants against RSV – respiratory syncytial virus [press
release]. Geneva2025.
15. Organisation WH. Vaccination before and during pregnancy. 2024.
16. Malaysia OGSo. Malaysian MATERNAL IMMUNISATION Consensus Guidelines. 2024.
17. Kamath GD, Kukreja S, Mukherjee P, Kolhapure S, Sathyanarayanan S. Maternal immunization:
trends in South and Southeast Asian countries. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal
Medicine. 2022;35(25):8372-81.
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Appendix
IMPORTANT: RFP Submission Requirements
Applications will be accepted via the online portal listed in the How to Submit section. Project
Proposals/Protocols should be single-spaced using Calibri 12-point font and 1-inch margins. Note there
is a 15-page limit exclusive of references. When uploading your Full Proposal please ensure it addresses
the following sections:
Goals and Objectives
• Briefly state the overall goal of the project. Also describe how this goal aligns with the focus of the
RFP and the goals of the applicant organization(s).
• List the overall objectives you plan to meet with your project both in terms of learning and expected
outcomes. Objectives should describe the target population as well as the outcomes you expect to
achieve as a result of conducting the project.
Assessment of Need for the Project
• Please include a quantitative baseline data summary, initial metrics (e.g., quality measures), or a
project starting point (please cite data on gap analyses or relevant patient-level data that informs
the stated objectives) in your target area. Describe the source and method used to collect the data.
Describe how the data was analyzed to determine that a gap existed. If a full analysis has not yet
been conducted, please include a description of your plan to obtain this information.
Target Audience
• Describe the primary audience(s) targeted for this project. Also indicate whom you believe will
directly benefit from the project outcomes. Describe the overall population size as well as the size
of your sample population
Project Design and Methods
• Describe the planned project and the way it addresses the established need.
• If your methods include educational activities, please describe succinctly the topic(s) and format of
those activities.
Innovation
• Explain what measures you have taken to assure that this project idea is original and does not
duplicate other projects or materials already developed.
• Describe how this project builds upon existing work, pilot projects, or ongoing projects developed
either by your institution or other institutions related to this project.
Evaluation and Outcomes
• In terms of the metrics used for the needs assessment, describe how you will determine if the
practice gap was addressed for the target group. Describe how you expect to collect and analyze
the data.
• Quantify the amount of change expected from this project in terms of your target audience.
• Describe how the project outcomes will be broadly disseminated.
Anticipated Project Timeline
• Provide an anticipated timeline for your project including project start/end dates.
Additional Information
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• If there is any additional information you feel Pfizer should be aware of concerning the importance
of this project, please summarize here.
Organization Detail
• Describe the attributes of the institutions / organizations / associations that will support and
facilitate the execution of the project and the leadership of the proposed project. Articulate the
specific role of each partner in the proposed project.
Budget Detail
• The budget amount requested must be in U.S. dollars (USD) or local currency.
• While estimating your budget please keep the following items in mind:
• General organizational running costs such as legal fees, insurance, heating, and lighting etc.
should be included in an Institutional Overhead (if required). These costs are not specific to
a grant request and therefore, should not appear as line items in budgets. However, costs
that are specific to the study (e.g., some countries require insurance to be taken out on a per-
study basis for clinical research) would be acceptable to be included as line items.
• The inclusion of these costs cannot cause the amount requested to exceed the budget limit
set forth in the RFP.
• Pfizer does not provide funding for capital purchases (infrastructure expenses such as
equipment, purchases of software or software licenses, technology or bricks and mortar).
Equipment hire/leasing is acceptable and may be included in project budget.
• It should be noted that grants awarded through GMGP cannot be used to purchase Pfizer
therapeutic agents (prescription or non-prescription).
• Pfizer maintains a company-wide, maximum allowed overhead rate of 28% for independent studies
and projects. Please click here for details.
Required Documents
• Project Plan or Proposal
• Include any additional documents you would like to receive in the application (e.g. Letter of Support,
from the Organization).
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