Corporate giving FAQs

What types of giving does Bristol Myers Squibb support?

Bristol Myers Squibb supports worthwhile causes and conscientious citizenship in four main ways: Corporate Giving, Independent Medical Education, Community Giving, and the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation. To learn more about Corporate Giving and Community Giving, please see the FAQ, below and the Corporate Giving Guidline. For more information about the BMS Foundation, please click here. 

What types of requests are in scope for BMS Corporate and Community Giving?

Requests in scope for Corporate and Community giving include those with a health-related public mission and/or patient focus from organizations such as hospitals or other similar healthcare facilities, community health centers, medical or other professional societies, patient support or advocacy organizations, and community organizations in locations where  BMS employees live and work.

Examples include requests for Charitable Donation, Independent Medical Education, Corporate Sponsorship Support, Corporate Membership, Scholarships, Fellowships, Independent Patient Education Support. For Community Giving, this includes STEM education requests and initiatives directed at addressing unmet medical needs and helping people in need in the communities where our employees live and work.

Which organizations are not eligible to apply?

BMS does not support the following types of organizations:

• Political, lobbying, fraternal or social clubs/organizations
• Religious organizations that engage in activities that are primarily sectarian in purpose.
• Organizations that discriminate based on race, gender, religion, culture, age, national origin, physical disability, sexual orientation, status as a military veteran, or any other legally protected status.

What types of requests are ineligible for funding through BMS Corporate Giving?

• Requests for Exhibit-only support without sponsorship recognition
• Funds to benefit a specific individual. BMS accepts requests from organizations and not from individuals
• Endowments
• General operating expenses, including but not limited to funding of salaries for health care providers or administrative staff
• Funding for creation of a new organization
• Political campaigns or lobbying activities
• Clinical trials  (please refer to here.)

Can one organization submit multiple requests for different activities?

Yes. An organization may submit multiple requests for different activities. Each request is reviewed on its own individual merits.

May I submit a request focused on a disease area that is not specified in Bristol Myers Squibb’s areas of interest?

Yes. However, please note that Bristol Myers Squibb prioritizes funding of requests that fall within our areas of therapeutic interest.  Please refer to the current BMS areas of therapeutic interest for more details.

If a giving request is approved, may the requesting organization use the Bristol Myers Squibb logo?

For use of BMS’ logo, tag, or any other type of recognition, please contact your internal stakeholder at BMS. 

How do I submit my proposal for Corporate or Community Giving?
All applications must be submitted through the online CyberGrants system.

May I send the application directly to a Bristol Myers Squibb representative or another contact at Bristol Myers Squibb?
Only online requests will be considered. All applications must be submitted through the online CyberGrants system. Once your online application is submitted, you will receive an acknowledgement with a request ID # at the e-mail address indicated on your application. Please note that we do not accept mailed-in requests. 

I have a global program that takes place outside the US. Can the budget be submitted in a currency other than the U.S. Dollar?

Yes, you may submit the budget in a local currency other than the U.S. Dollar.

Where can I find out about the status of my request after submission?
The status of your request can be found on your Welcome / Applicant portal page once you log in to the system.

Is there a specific time period for submitting Letters of Requests? How long does it take to review a proposal?
Applications for funding requests are accepted year-round.  We ask that completed requests including all required supplemental documentation be submitted at least six to eight weeks prior to the start of the event to allow our team adequate time to fully review all materials. Please be aware, however, that Bristol Myers Squibb cannot commit to process any request within a specific time period. In addition, “Requests for Proposals” or “Requests for Education” posted by Bristol Myers Squibb have specific submission deadlines.

Whom may I contact for Corporate Giving and Community Giving related questions?
For general questions on Corporate and Community Giving, please contact us.

What is the Letter of Request (LOR)?
The Letter of Request is a simple online application containing basic questions about the request for funding. All types of funding requests must be submitted through this LOR application. Letter of request can be viewed in 12different languages.

Upon logging in to your account, information will be displayed in the language based on your computer browser default language setting. But, there is also the ability to manually change the language by clicking on the dropdown located in the top right corner of the log in and home portal pages. Once a new Letter of Request is open it will not be possible to change the language again.

The languages we support are: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian, Turkish, Korean, Portuguese and Japanese.

Is BMS' program budget form required, or can I use my organization's budget form?
You may use your own form or template, however, please refer to BMS template for general guidelines on budget items required.

What is the process? Upon approval, Bristol Myers Squibb will send a Corporate Giving Agreement (CGA) which needs to be executed by an authorized person associated to your organization. Upon receipt of the signed CGA, Bristol Myers Squibb Corporate Giving will initiate the payment process.  A Purchase Order will be generated and an email notification will be sent to the organization. The email notification will provide instructions on how and where to submit an invoice.

What is needed to receive payment? You must submit an invoice according to the instructions in the email that will be sent. Please ensure that all information requested, including the PO number, is included on the invoice document.

I received multiple emails with invoice instructions, but different amounts listed. Can I submit one invoice for the total amount of the Agreement? Yes, you may receive multiple emails with invoice instructions, please refer to the PO number in each email. If the PO numbers are the same one invoice can be submitted for the total amount. But, if there are different PO numbers then an invoice would need to be submitted for the specific amount associated with each PO number. 

Who do I contact if I have payment questions? If you have a question on the request please contact us.  Please include specific account payable contact information (both email address and phone number). 

Are there specific system requirements for using the CyberGrants System?
You must have both cookies and JavaScript enabled on your browser to successfully log in.  The recommended system requirements for best viewing/functioning of the site are a Windows Operating System and a resolution of 800x600 (or higher).

Where can I obtain training materials for using the CyberGrants System?
Click here to access the training guide for using CyberGrants system.

I am a first time user - how do I create a new account?
If you are a first time user and wish to submit an application, click here to access the “Letter of Request” application. Once you are on the Application login page, click on the link that says, “Click here to create your password.” This will bring you to the online registration form.

How do I change my password?
If you know your current password, please log in and go to your profile. “Edit Profile” is located on the upper right of the screen. Click on that link and you will be able to change your password.

How can I associate myself with an organization?
On the Welcome / Applicant Account page, there is a link at the top that you can click (“Click here to add a new organization to your account”). From there, complete the requested organizational information. The new organization will then be added to your Welcome / Applicant Account page.

Can I access a request that was submitted by another individual from my organization?

Only the individual who submitted the request will be able to see the request, even if submitted for the same organization.

How much information (number of characters) can I provide in the application paragraph text fields?
Paragraph fields have a 2000 character maximum. As you type, the number will count down accordingly. Note: In Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browsers, there is an option to drag the corner to expand the box (not supported by Internet Explorer).

Do I have to save every page as I complete the application?
No. Once you move to a new section of the application, all of the information you previously entered is automatically saved. If you do not finish the application and exit the browser, you will be asked to log in again, with your e-mail address and password, to access the application you are working on.

How do I return to an incomplete application that I saved, but have not yet submitted?
Please log into your account and on the Home Page go to the section called "Applications Requiring Action". This section lists all applications that have been started and saved. To access a saved application to continue working on click on "Continue" before the Project Title.

Can I get a copy of the application form?
When you are in the actual application, you can print a copy by clicking File>Print. Otherwise, there is no paper copy of the application available. The entire process is online. You can also view any submitted application by going to the "Submitted Applications" section on the Portal Home Page and clicking on "View".

How will Bristol Myers Squibb communicate the status of my request?
All communications will occur via e-mail. After you submit your application, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with a request ID # for tracking purposes. After an initial review, you may be contacted to provide additional information. After review, you will receive an e-mail notifying you if your request was approved (subject to the execution of a Funding Agreement) or not approved.

Why didn't I receive an e-mail notification from Bristol Myers Squibb confirming the receipt of my request?
You may not have received a Bristol Myers Squibb e-mail notification for various reasons. Please explore the following:

1. Confirm the accuracy of the email address listed on the application.
2. Check that you have finalized your application and clicked “SUBMIT”.
3. If you have submitted your application, check your organization's or provider's spam filter and folders. If your spam filter is enabled, you may not receive important information from Bristol Myers Squibb regarding your application. 
4. If you were not the person the person who submitted the funding request application, you will not receive any correspondence from Bristol Myers Squibb regarding the application. Any BMS correspondence related to a funding request is directed to the submitters e-mail address provided in the application.

Where can I find out about the status of my request after submission?
The status of your request can be found on your Welcome / Applicant Account page once you log in to the system.

I received notification that my request was approved, but I have not received  the funds. When should I expect payment and whom should I contact if I have not received it?
If your request was approved, you will receive payment after. Please contact us for a status update on your request. 

My organization has not used all the BMS funds provided. What should I do?
Please contact us as soon as possible.

I am getting an error on my page; whom do I contact?
A “Need Support?” link appears at every page of the application. Click on the link and complete a form to describe your technical issue or ask your question. Click on the “Submit Support Request” button, and a reply will be sent to you within 24 hours.

When will the Requests for Proposals or Requests for Education be posted?
Requests for Proposals (RFP) or Requests for Education (RFE) are posted throughout the year, and address areas of unmet need in various Bristol Myers Squibb therapeutic areas of interest. Please visit the Corporate Giving web page on bms.com to locate active RFPs or RFEs.

What are RFP/RFE codes?
RFP/RFE codes are unique identifiers located in the RFP/RFE posting. During the submission of your Letter of Request, you will be asked to select a code from a drop-down menu. Please be sure to select the code that is identical to the code located on the posted RFP/RFE. Selecting the incorrect code or leaving the field blank, may delay the review of your request.

Are RFP/RFE codes required on all Letter of Request submissions?
If you are not submitting a proposal in response to a posted RFP/RFE, please do not select an RFP/RFE code.

What does it mean when an RFP/RFE code is no longer available in the drop-down box in the application?
If the RFP/RFE code is no longer available in the drop down selection in the Letter of Request, the submission window for that particular RFP/RFE is closed and BMS is no longer accepting applications for the RFP/RFE.  

What does the Community Giving program fund?
We take pride in being a good global citizen. It is at the heart of who we are, what we do and how we do it. To strengthen the communities where we live and work we support a number of initiatives that align with our mission:

• Address unmet medical need in the Community to improve patient care, support and education; and to encourage and support healthy behaviors.
• Foster student interest in STEM education, and STEM-related careers. Support focuses on under-served populations. 
• Helping People in Need – Support programs that provide marginalized populations with essential resources to help address basic human needs, such as food, medical services and shelter.

The Community Giving Program prefers to support programs that have a direct impact on communities, rather than support of fundraising galas.

Who can apply for community giving?
Our Community Giving Program accepts applications from IRS-qualified 501 (c)(3) non-profit organizations with Missions and programs that are consistent with BMS’ Community Giving areas of interest, and which serve communities in the United States where our employees live and work. Tax-exempt organizations, including hospitals, government institutions and schools that serve our local communities are also eligible to apply.

What is the submission process for Community Giving?
We accept requests year-round that are submitted using the Letter of Request through the BMS. For all Community giving applications, we strongly urge you to submit your application at least 8 weeks prior to the required commitment date.  Funding decisions are communicated via email   to recipient organizations from the Corporate Giving Department. The BMS Corporate Giving Department will contact you if additional information is required.

What items can I submit for medical education funding from Bristol Myers Squibb?
The request must include a realistic and comprehensive budget for all the activities included in the program for which you seek support.
Funding may be issued to support only the costs associated with the development, delivery or evaluation of the educational program, resources or materials.
Funding does not cover:

• Travel, lodging or personal expenses for attendees.
• Compensation for attendees.
• Lavish venues.
• Other costs that are neither reasonable nor customary.
• Bristol Myers Squibb funding may not be used towards any food and/or beverages offered at an activity with less than 100 attendees. For activities with more than 100 attendees, funding may be used for buffet meals only.

What information will Bristol Myers Squibb request for Closeout Reporting?
We will ask a few simple questions about the program execution and budget, such as “Did the program take place?”, “Did you use the funds as stated in the Letter of Agreement?” etc.

Does my organization have to be an accredited continuing medical education provider to receive funding?
No. Bristol Myers Squibb will consider requests for both accredited and non-accredited continuing medical education. For an accredited program, the requesting organization must be the accrediting as well as the payee organization. For a non-accredited program, the requesting organization must be the payee organization.

My medical education agency employees engage in both independent medical education and promotional services to Bristol Myers Squibb. Can I continue to provide both services to Bristol Myers Squibb?
No. Requesters for independent medical education support from Bristol Myers Squibb must certify that they have not been involved in any activities related to the promotion of any Bristol Myers Squibb products and that they do not have confidential information relevant to Bristol Myers Squibb promotional activities that remain subject to a non-disclosure agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb. In these instances, a firewall certification may need to be obtained from Bristol Myers Squibb.
Furthermore, agencies should be aware of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) requirement that entities providing independent medical education must be separated, at an entity level, from entities that provide promotion- related services. The ACCME requirement took effect in August 2009.

Where is the program budget form located?
Click here to access the Program Budget form.

Is BMS' program budget form required, or can I use my organization's budget form? You may use your own form or template, however, please refer to BMS template for general guidelines on budget items required.

If our IME request is approved, may we use the Bristol Myers Squibb logo to list Bristol Myers Squibb as a sponsor for our program?
The ACCME has modified its requirements to prohibit the inclusion of ACCME-defined commercial interest logos in educational materials and disclosure of commercial support. To acknowledge our support on materials associated with your program, please use the statement: "Supported through an educational grant from Bristol Myers Squibb."

Does the requestor organization receive funding after the signed Corporate Giving Agreement is sent to Bristol Myers Squibb?
Please remember that for IME requests, funding is not guaranteed until the requestor organization has received a copy of the Corporate Giving Agreement signed by both the applicant and Bristol Myers Squibb.

What do I do if my organization needs to make changes to an approved request?
Please complete the Change of Scope form, which is located in your portal at the bottom of your dashboard. Choose the change of scope option connected to the request for which you are requesting a change. 

FOR IME: The Change of Scope form can be found under the "Impact Reports Requiring Action" section located on the Home Portal Page. You will need to search for the corresponding Request ID # and then click on the report name.

FOR nonIME: On the Home Portal Page under the button to "Start a New Letter of Request" is a link to the "Change of Scope: Postponement or Cancellation Form". Click on this to access the form.

What are the types of changes that require a Program Scope Change Request Form to be completed?
Changes to request elements requiring review include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conversion from multi-support to single-support
• Changes in secured funding which impact the organization’s ability to deliver the original proposal
• Program or activity location
• Intended purpose, goals/objectives of proposed agenda or program activities
• Change in educational partner or accredited provider
• Number or scope of proposed activities
• Continuing education certification
• Learning objectives (specific to IME)
• Outcomes analysis (specific to IME)
  • Modality (any change in activity type)
  • Date, time, and venue/location of live activities
• Launch date and/or expiration date of enduring activities
• Cancellation of Program
• Postponement of Program (please provide details such as new dates, etc. if the program is being rescheduled)

How do I know if my Program Scope Change Request has been approved or denied?
Final decisions regarding Program Scope Change Requests will be communicated to the requestor by the Bristol Myers Squibb Corporate Giving Department and / or IME Department.

Will any portion of my program budget be subject to the transparency reporting for physicians, healthcare professionals, healthcare organizations, patient or professional advocacy organizations (collectively, “Transparency Obligations”)?

Yes, possibly.  BMS funding to your organization may be subject to transparency reporting. Please reference more information by clicking here.

Click here for frequently asked questions on RFPs.

Does BMS support clinical fellowships?

In the United States, BMS does not support clinical fellowship requests from individual universities, healthcare institutions or teaching hospitals. BMS will consider clinical fellowship requests from Professional Societies, Associations and Patient Advocacy Organizations where the clinical fellowship is:

• open to a broad pool of candidates
• available on a on a competitive basis and
• independently selected by the eligible recipient organization without BMS influence

What information will Bristol Myers Squibb request for Closeout Reporting? 
We will ask a few simple questions about the program execution and budget, such as “Did the program take place?”, “Did you use the funds as stated in the Letter of Agreement?” etc.