Call for Proposals to Strengthen Antimicrobial Stewardship in Sub-Saharan Africa
The International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID), in partnership with Pfizer, announces the launch of a new Request for Proposals (RFP) aimed at strengthening Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) across sub-Saharan Africa. This Grand Challenge seeks innovative, actionable solutions that address the continent’s most pressing challenges in the fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), a growing public health crisis disproportionately impacting African nations.
Recent estimates from the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) study underscore the severity of the issue, with AMR responsible for approximately 250,000 direct deaths in the WHO African region in 2019, surpassing the death tolls of HIV/AIDS and malaria. Compounded by weak diagnostic systems, limited regulation, widespread empirical antibiotic use, and counterfeit medicines, AMR poses an urgent need for scalable, sustainable interventions.
Following a high-level Expert Roundtable on AMS convened by ISID and Pfizer in December 2024 during the International Congress on Infectious Diseases (ICID) in Cape Town, this Grand Challenge transforms expert consensus into catalytic action.
“This initiative is a direct outcome of the insights gathered from African AMR leaders, healthcare professionals, and policymakers,” said Linda MacKinnon, CEO of ISID. “Now is the time to invest in scalable solutions that advance antimicrobial stewardship and ensure equitable access to appropriate treatments.”
The RFP invites proposals from organizations and individuals based in or focused on the African continent. Priority areas include:
- Strengthening AMS in healthcare and community settings
- Reinforcing health systems and regulatory bodies
- Enhancing access to and rational use of antibiotics
- Improving AMR surveillance and data sharing
- Advancing diagnostic technologies
- Supporting AMR R&D and innovation
- Closing gaps in clinical guidelines
- Promoting sustainable antibiotic supply models
- Developing metrics to evaluate AMS efforts
- Co-creating AMR awareness campaigns targeting underserved populations
Proposals must be context-sensitive and include implementation strategies, measurable impact, and sustainability plans. While all relevant approaches are welcome, clinical research projects will not be supported under this call.
How to Apply:
More details on the RFP, eligibility, and submission process can be found at: https://cdn.pfizer.com/pfizercom/2025-08/2025-I&I-Sub-Saharan-Africa-AntimicrobialStewardship-QI.pdf?VersionId=aLTnqWo6hVKqh0.cm1X4yLNoH8LQSHyp
Submission Deadline:
October 4, 2025 (please note the deadline is 11:59 pm Eastern Time (New York, GMT -5).
This Grand Challenge is part of a broader commitment by ISID and Pfizer to advance equitable, evidence-based responses to infectious disease threats through innovation, partnership, and localized action.