Pfizer is pleased to announce the 2012 ASPIRE Awards in Adult Vaccine Research: Evaluating the Burden of Pneumococcal Disease in Adults Aged 50 years and Older in the United States

Mission

The mission of the 2012 ASPIRE Awards in Adult Vaccine Research is to advance medical knowledge to better understand the burden of pneumococcal disease in adults aged 50 years and older including subjects with underlying disease comorbidities and living situations that may impact the carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Background

The burden of pneumococcal disease has been studied in the general population of adults aged 50 years and older; however, it is not as well defined in special populations including subgroups with underlying disease comorbidities.

Request for Proposals

Pfizer invites investigators to apply for the 2012 ASPIRE Awards in Adult Vaccine Research through submission of innovative clinical research proposals that evaluate the epidemiology and burden of pneumococcal disease in adults aged 50 years and older.

2012 Research Topic

Evaluating the Burden of Pneumococcal Disease in Adults 50 years and older in the United States

An applicant should have a strong academic career interest within the areas of focus and should consider the following components when developing their research proposals:

A. The burden of pneumococcal disease and carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in adults aged 50 years and older with disease comorbidities. Comorbidities may include but are not limited to:

• Diabetes mellitus
• COPD or other chronic pulmonary disorder
• Oncologic disorders
• Chronic renal disease
• Hepatic disease
• Autoimmune disorders
• Immunosuppressive conditions

B. The burden of pneumococcal disease and carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in adults aged 50 years and older in special populations including but not limited to:

• Extended care facilities
• Regional evaluation of resistance and serotype distribution
• Adults aged 50 years and over stratified by age

C. Evaluating vaccination efforts in adults aged 50 years and older:

• Identifying barriers and vaccine implementation strategies in at-risk patients with underlying disease comorbidities.

D. The following topics fall outside of the scope of the ASPIRE Adult Vaccine Research Program:

• General education and / or training
• Public health
• Support for ongoing clinical programs that are part of an organization’s routine operations
• Proposals that evaluate populations outside of the United States

Research Expectations

Within the specified patient populations of interest, investigators are expected to:

• Generate data regarding the burden of pneumococcal disease and/or carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in adults aged
  50 years and older
• Be able to complete the research in 12 months
• Present and/or publish the results of the study

Well-designed retrospective analyses are preferred however, small pilot studies that attempt to test hypotheses will be considered as long as the study can be completed within 1 year.

Available Awards

Pfizer is funding awards up to a maximum of $50,000 USD* (including direct costs, institutional overhead costs, and indirect costs) each for one year to conduct research generating data that will lead to a better understanding of burden of pneumococcal disease and carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in adults aged 50 years and older with medical conditions.

*Please note that study budgets will be evaluated separately to ensure the requested funding is commensurate with the work proposed.

Deadline for Application

Applications must be received by 11:59pm EST on August 1, 2012 (by 11:59pm EDT in the United States).