How do I apply for a grant?
The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) accepts proposals through our designated Requests for Applications (RFAs), which are listed on our Funding Opportunities website. In general, we do not accept unsolicited proposals, although investigators are invited to contact grants@michaeljfox.org to help determine the RFA most appropriate for the proposed work.
All proposals must be submitted through the Foundation's online grant submission system unless otherwise directed by an MJFF staff member. Using other funding organization's instructions and templates (e.g., NIH) is not appropriate and could result in disqualification during administrative review.
Depending on the program, funding decisions can be made as early as six weeks or up to three months after full proposal submission. Review the specific funding program information for details on expected review and funding decision dates.
Some programs require the submission of a “pre-proposal.” Pre-proposals may require a simple summary of a project's goals and aims, or they may require detailed information about the rationale and/or status of a project idea. Pre-proposals are reviewed by internal Foundation scientific staff and external advisors (as appropriate) to identify projects for further funding consideration. Not all applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Given the desire for rapid decision making, formal feedback is not given to pre-proposal applicants.
Who is eligible to apply for funding?
The Foundation is interested in funding high-quality Parkinson's science wherever it can be done best. We fund researchers working in labs at universities, for-profit companies and non-profit research institutions, in the United States and around the world.
MJFF also encourages collaborative, multi-investigator proposals, as a single research group may not possess the expertise in all steps of a particular project. Collaborations can occur between for-profit and non-profit institutions in any part of the world. This is especially important for applicants seeking to use specific reagents or tools — including animal or pre-clinical models of Parkinson's disease — for which the applicant has limited experience.
What makes a successful grant proposal?
Successful proposals are based on clear scientific ideas that hold obvious potential to impact our understanding of Parkinson's disease and ultimately, the development of improved treatments for people with the disease. Applicants should clearly state the scientific question being addressed and provide a detailed research plan. Proposals should fit the goals of the specific funding program, so it is important to review all program information before submitting a proposal.
Can you switch principal investigators after submitting a pre-proposal?
Yes, the Principal Investigator (PI) can be changed at the full application stage. Please note, the new PI will have to meet the eligibility requirements of the program.
Can I have a deadline extension for submitting my proposal?
No. The Foundation has tight timeframes for reviewing proposals given our desire to fund work quickly. Therefore, we must strictly enforce our deadlines, and no extensions are granted. Applicants should ensure they are available to communicate with MJFF staff after the deadline to answer possible questions regarding their proposal.
What are the administrative guidelines?
The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s full Application Guidelines are available online, but key points for applicants are highlighted here.
Direct and Indirect Costs
Budgets must be appropriate and justifiable for the work described. MJFF defines direct costs as expenses required to execute a grant that are directly attributable to and can reasonably be allocated to the project. Direct costs are comprised of the sum of the personnel, consultants, and other direct costs sections of the MJFF budget template.
In contrast, MJFF defines indirect costs as general overhead and administrative expenses that support the entire operation of the grantee and may be shared across projects (for example, utilities, IT systems, and general administrative staff such as a grants office). These expenses would be incurred regardless of whether the grant is funded. Recouping indirect costs on a grant is optional. However, MJFF allows grantees and sub-awardees to apply an indirect cost rate to their budget's total direct costs (the sum of personnel, consultants, and other direct costs), subject to the following limitations: non-profit and academic institutions may apply up to a 15% indirect cost rate to their direct costs, and for-profit institutions may apply up to a 10% indirect cost rate to their direct costs.
Travel Costs
The Foundation allows costs to cover travel necessary for completing a research project, such as traveling off-site to perform work in the field or in a collaborator's lab. However, general travel costs to scientific conferences and meetings are not allowed. Travel costs for Foundation-required assessment meetings are paid directly by the Foundation and should not be included in the proposal budget.
Salary Cap
The maximum base salary for an individual applying to an MJFF funding program is consistent with the NIH salary cap. Please refer to the NIH's Salary Cap Summary for more information.
How is my application reviewed?
A review committee, made up of MJFF scientific staff and external experts in the fields appropriate for the funding program, reviews all proposals. In general, each proposal is reviewed by at least two independent reviewers. Top proposals are discussed at a meeting of the review committee. MJFF scientific staff make final award decisions based on feedback from these reviewer discussions and an analysis of the current MJFF funding portfolio.
What review criteria does The Michael J. Fox Foundation use when selecting proposals to fund?
The Foundation looks for scientifically compelling, logical and well-crafted research proposals that offer real potential for improving our understanding of and/or treatments for people with Parkinson's disease. In general, proposals are reviewed along several key factors, including responsiveness to the specific funding program, scientific rationale, experimental design, investigator expertise and overall feasibility.
Visit our Application Guidelines to learn more.
Does The Michael J. Fox Foundation have a conflict-of-interest policy for reviewers of grant proposals?
Yes, the full policy is available online. Reviewers may not submit a proposal to a program where they are serving as a reviewer or would have a clear and direct conflict. This includes proposals where they are acting as a lead investigator or receiving payment. Additionally, reviewers are not allowed to participate in the discussion of any grant where the applicant is from the same institution or has an active collaboration with the reviewer.