Novartis is committed to meeting the needs of patients by supporting non-profit patient advocacy organizations in educating and helping patients, caregivers, and the public in therapeutic areas where our company has an interest.

We will evaluate patient education grant requests that are independent of commercial bias and are non-promotional in nature. Patient education grants can be requested to support a variety of different activities including disease awareness, live events, web-based education, print/media, newsletters, websites, seminars, etc. We will only accept grant requests for patient education programs from 501(c)3, 501(c)4, or 501(c)6 nonprofit organizations.

In order to be considered, a complete grant application package must be submitted via the online portal at least 60 calendar days prior to the event date. If the completed grant application package is not received at least 60 days prior to the event date, the grant request may be denied.

Required documents for submitting a Patient Education Grant request

  • Letter of request
  • Proposed topics/outline/agenda
  • Detailed needs assessment
  • Detailed budget
  • Outcomes measurement plan
  • Current W9 (signed and dated)

Following are examples of submissions that will not be accepted for a Patient Education Grant request

  • Grants or payments to entities that are not 501(c)3, 501(c)4, or 501(c)6 non-profit organizations 
  • Promotional exhibit or display space (please contact your local Novartis Sales or Marketing Representative regarding requests for exhibit fees)
  • Funding to individuals
  • Capital campaigns, building funds, or operating expenses (e.g., salaries, benefits)
  • Personal travel
  • Requests that include activities such as smoking and/or gambling
  • Requests that include spa or resort activities
  • Textbooks, medical device- or equipment-related requests
  • Requests for programs that are already in progress
  • Treatment specific education
  • Housing or travel for event/program attendees
  • Activities held in lavish venues/resort locations
  • Grants not within the therapeutic areas of interest to Patient Advocacy
  • Activities involving and or geared predominantly toward HCPs

Novartis will receive and review patient education grant requests in the following areas. Please note that these areas are subject to change and the funding availability may vary. (Note: These are also the same areas for Patient Advocacy Sponsorships and Memberships.)

Non-Oncology

  • Arthritis
  • Asthma/Allergy
  • Cardiovascular/Heart Failure
  • Dermatology
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Non-Therapeutic Area Specific* (Excludes Philanthropic requests)
  • Neuroscience
  • Ophthalmology
  • Transplant

Oncology

  • Breast Cancer
  • Cell and Gene Therapies
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST)
  • General Education for Patients with Cancer
  • Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)
  • Iron Overload
    • Thalassemia
    • Myelodysplastic Syndromes
  • Leukemia/Lymphoma
  • Lung Cancer
  • Melanoma
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors
  • Rare Diseases 
    • Acromegaly
    • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
    • General Education for Patients with Rare Diseases
  • Renal Cell Cancer
  • Sickle Cell Disease
  • Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Disclaimer

Please do not consider any request approved until you have received written documentation from Novartis that your application has been approved for funding and all of the required paperwork, including a counter-signed original Letter of Agreement, has been received by you. Any expenses incurred prior to receiving written support of the program by Novartis are taken at your own risk.

Previous support by Novartis does NOT guarantee future support as each request is evaluated on individual merit. If you have any questions, please contact a member of the US Professional Medical Education or Patient Advocacy Teams. Please do NOT contact your sales representative, medical science liaison, regional scientific director, or marketing personnel regarding the status of a request.

Novartis will review each submission in a timely manner. Your prompt response to requests for any additional information is critical to this process and appreciated.

Novartis is aware of the growing need for education and support for the medical and patient/caregiver communities. Many more requests are received than can be funded and we regret that we cannot accommodate every request. However, your submission will receive a fair and thorough review. In return, please take time to consider how your program fits within the therapeutic areas of interest for Novartis and the established regulations, laws and guidelines before submitting a request.