Types of External-Sponsored Research
We are committed to generating and supporting critical, high-quality research that has an impact on clinical decision-making and patients’ lives. Our external-sponsored research program provides funding and/or study drug support for research efforts conducted by third parties on Gilead products or therapeutic areas. For research on cell therapy, please visit Kite Cell Therapy External Research Program.
We support two primary types of research, Investigator-Sponsored Research and Collaborative Research. We also support research where the study sponsor is a government organization, nonprofit organization or a pharmaceutical company.
In addition, we support research focused on and led by community organizations. Information is available on the Community-Based Participatory Research page.
Investigator-Sponsored Research (ISR) is initiated, designed, and led by independent researchers. For an ISR project, an investigator or institution outside of Gilead is the study sponsor. If the research concerns a Gilead product, the study must occur after regulatory approval of the product in the country where the study will be conducted. Gilead’s only involvement in an ISR project is solely providing funding and/or study drug support.
Collaborative Research is similar to ISR where the study sponsor is an investigator or institution outside of Gilead. However, Gilead is involved in Collaborative Research beyond providing funding and/or study drug, such as involvement in study design, protocol development/review, conduct of study, providing data/biological samples, data/sample analysis and/or publication preparation/authorship.
RFP Opportunities by Therapeutic Area
A Request for Proposal (RFP) aims to address unmet patient needs in specific populations through innovative methods and initiatives for screening, diagnosis and care, while also garnering insights on disease epidemiology and treatment.
There are two types of RFP:
- RFP Program is a call for research on a specific topic and question of interest described in detail, usually with additional instructions regarding the application process. They are highly competitive and typically have a submission window of only a few weeks.
- RFP Topic of Interest is a funding opportunity within a specific area of research that is open to a broader range of topics and does not provide specific instructions regarding the application process. They may have a longer submission window or remain posted until funds are dispersed.
Information about all RFPs is available on the Virology, Oncology or Inflammation RFP Opportunity pages below.
If you're interested in applying to an RFP Program, select the Therapeutic Area of interest, review the selected research question and follow the instructions within the program descriptions submitting a Letter of Interest and next steps if invited to submit a full proposal. For any queries, contact the email listed in the RFP Program description or your local Gilead contact.
If you apply for an RFP Topic of Interest, select the Therapeutic Area of interest to review the research topics and indicate the topic you are applying for in your Letter of Interest submission. Submit a full proposal after you receive an invitation. For queries on the listed topics, contact your local Gilead contact.
How to Apply for
Research Funding
To submit an application for any external-sponsored research funding, study drug, or other study support, visit Gilead’s online proposal submission portal, Gilead OPTICS (OPTICS). If you are applying to an RFP Program or RFP Topic of Interest, start with a Letter of Interest submission. Submit a full proposal once you receive an invitation.
Collaborative Research should also start with a Letter of Interest — which can be related to an RFP or independent of an RFP — unless you have been invited by Gilead to submit a full proposal. Research with study sponsor that is a government or nonprofit organization or other pharmaceutical company should also start with a Letter of Interest unless invited to submit a full proposal.
Access OPTICS portalApplication Review
We support external-sponsored research contingent on the proposal's scientific merit. The research must be intended to contribute knowledge to the medical community and the budget must be reasonable and appropriate for the proposed work. We evaluate applications considering the expertise of the principal investigator and any sub-investigators, including their proficiency in the relevant therapeutic field, track record in conducting successful clinical trials, and available resources.
Our cross-functional committees review all external-sponsored research proposals. If either an ISR or Collaborative Research study is awarded support, the principal investigator, as the study sponsor, will have full discretion and responsibility for all aspects of study design, implementation, analysis, data dissemination and compliance with relevant laws. The terms of Gilead's support will be outlined in a written agreement; funding is not guaranteed for your proposal as funding will be provided specifically to support research activities.