FAQs: Coronavirus (COVID-19) & Research Support

All currently funded research projects have received a six-month no-cost extension (NCE). We would still like to understand your specific challenges. Please fill out our online form to let us know about your impacted project. Our team will respond with the options we have to address your issues. 

We will work with you to manage COVID-19-related impacts to your MJFF-funded research. We can offer flexibility in terms of project scope and budget allocations but cannot offer supplemental funding at this time. Requests for additional no-cost extensions are handled on a case-by-case basis. Please fill out our online form to let us know about your impacted project. Our team will respond with the options we have to address your issues. 

If your institution is unable to complete and submit financial and research progress reports by their deadlines due to COVID-19-related issues, please fill out our online form and provide an estimated timeline for submission. MJFF will accept late reports but grant payments will be delayed until the reports are submitted and accepted.

Yes. We ask that when you plan to restart your MJFF-funded research project (even if at only one of multiple organizations involved in the research) you contact us to discuss your plans and any changes to the project timeline and scope. To do so, please fill out our online form.

You and your team’s health and safety are important to us. We are asking grantees to affirm your ability to return to work safely. This includes following policies and guidance from your institution as well as local, state, and/or federal authorities to minimize COVID-19 transmission. To do so, please fill out our online form and our team will be in touch.

Yes, MJFF is continuing to review and fund research. Our most recent deadline for pre-proposals was May 14, 2020, and proposal review is now underway. We anticipate opening additional funding opportunities later this year. Visit the Funding Opportunities page for details, when available.  

Yes. MJFF remains committed to our mission to accelerate Parkinson’s research and develop new treatments. We intend to fund as many Parkinson’s projects as feasible while taking into account the realities of COVID-19. This includes grants from programs already in review as well as future funding opportunities we plan to launch later this year. The exact timing of grant funding decisions is uncertain.  

We are sensitive to the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and the effect it is having on systems and personnel at all levels. If you were invited to submit a proposal, please let us know how your submission could be affected by filling out our online form as soon as possible.

There may be minor delays in the review of submitted applications. Should those become significant, we will notify applicants. 

Please attempt to secure a refund or credit for any travel you booked personally. MJFF has handled all hotel reservations. If you booked your travel through Concur, you will need to log in and cancel your reservation. If you booked your travel outside of Concur, please cancel your reservation with the travel carrier. You can then submit your cancellation through Concur for reimbursement.

Many carriers have adjusted their policies in light of the COVID-19 situation. If you are unable to secure a refund or credit, MJFF will review and reimburse the costs associated with your planned travel to an in-person meeting with us. The invoice and reimbursement request should be submitted through the Concur system. Please contact our research meetings and events coordinator at researchmeetings@michaeljfox.org for other meeting- or travel-related questions or concerns.

Institutional closures do not affect MJFF’s ability to process payments. MJFF will continue to operate (remotely) and process payments, though it’s possible processing may be slower than normal as circumstances surrounding COVID-19 evolve. Please contact your institution if you have any questions about receipt of funds. If you have specific questions about your award, please work with your MJFF point-of-contact or fill out our online form.

The biorepository reopened on June 1 and resumed shipments. They will continue to confirm ability for institution/investigator to receive samples prior to shipping. 

Biospecimens in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) biorepository have not been tested for any infectious disease, including COVID-19. All PPMI biorepositories and investigators receiving samples from PPMI biorepositories should use universal precautions when handling all samples, regardless of their potential for COVID-19 exposure.

Our distributors continue to create and ship research tools, though shipping times may be slower. Once you identify the tool you want from our Research Tools Catalog, visit the website of the distributor for up-to-date information.

For specific questions or matters relating to the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) study and how it has or may be impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact ppmitransition@indd.org.