If you're considering applying for a grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation, you may find these answers to commonly asked questions helpful.

Can I apply to MJFF using standard NIH forms?
No. The Foundation posts specific application format and instructions with each RFA on the Web site. Using NIH or other funding organization's instructions is not appropriate and could result in disqualification during administrative review. We also strongly urge against resubmitting a grant that was previously submitted to NIH, as MJFF uses different review criteria in determining which grants to fund.

How are MJFF's review criteria different from those of NIH?
The Foundation, like NIH, looks for excellent ideas and strong research proposals, which are judged on scientific merit. However, we further review proposals with an additional question foremost in mind: "What is the potential of this work to benefit people with Parkinson's disease and to help move Parkinson's research forward?"

What makes an application successful?
Successful applications are based on clear scientific ideas that hold obvious potential to impact the Parkinson's disease research field-either by conducting important and necessary (though not necessarily new and novel) work, or by pursuing new and/or innovative ideas. Applications should clearly state the scientific question being addressed and provide a detailed research plan.

To be successful, it is equally important that applications be in line with the goals of the RFA, including addressing specific questions or issues put forth by the RFA. MJFF does not accept applications submitted to separate programs not adjusted for the goals of that particular RFA.

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Does the Foundation fund only academic labs?
No. MJFF is interested in funding high-quality Parkinson's science wherever it can be done best, regardless of the type of lab. As such, we fund researchers working in labs at universities, companies, and nonprofit research institutions.

Does the Foundation fund grants outside the United States?
Yes. The Foundation funds grants in labs around the world, and does not place limitations on the percentage of total grants that can be awarded internationally.

If I am or have been an MJFF reviewer, can I apply for a grant?
If you are currently a reviewer for a program, you may not apply as a Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI for that same program. For example, you may not apply to be a PI or Co-PI on a Clinical Discovery grant if you are currently a reviewer for Clinical Discovery Program. However, you may apply to Clinical Discovery (for example) while serving as a reviewer on Target Validation.

If you are not currently a reviewer, but have reviewed for MJFF in the past, you may apply to any program in any capacity (including PI, Co-PI, etc.).

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How do I apply for a grant?
MJFF accepts proposals only through our designated Requests for Proposals (RFPs)-we do not accept unsolicited proposals. All proposals must be submitted online through MJFF's online grant submission system.

The first stage of the MJFF application process is the pre-proposal phase.

• If a researcher is interested in applying to a particular MJFF program, he or she will find standard pre-proposal forms and instructions on that program's page on the MJFF Web site. Also on that page is a link to the login page of our online grant submission system where you can log in to view all saved or old submissions.
• Pre-proposal requirements are specific to each program and are laid out in detail in the specific program RFP that is always posted on the Foundation's Web site starting the day that program is opened for applications.

What if I can't submit my application by the stated deadline? Can I get an extension?
No. MJFF has tight timeframes because our goal is to distribute money to fund good ideas as quickly and efficiently as possible. To do this, we must strictly enforce our deadlines and no extensions are granted.

It is imperative that applicants follow all instructions in submitting a proposal, and that they be available after the deadline-or designate someone in their absence-to answer possible questions regarding their application. If an application is submitted on time, but no one is available to answer clarifying questions after the deadline, the application could still be disqualified and removed from the review process.

How are pre-proposals reviewed and evaluated?
For programs (not including LEAPS and Rapid Response Innovation Awards) scientists on staff as well as outside advisors assess the pre-proposals for scientific merit and fit for the program and MJFF goals. A minimum of two and up to three independent scientific reviews are done on each pre-proposal, with each reviewer voting "Invite" or "Do not invite" (except for LEAPS). Majority rules in reaching a decision on each pre-proposal. No feedback is given at the pre-proposal triage stage.

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What are your conflict of interest rules in terms of reviewers?
As stated above, reviewers for a program, may not be PIs or Co-PIs on proposals submitted to that program. Additionally, reviewers are not allowed to sit in on the discussion for, or score grants submitted by, applicants from their institutions or applicants with whom they have closely collaborated in prior years. They must recuse themselves at that point in the discussion.

While serving as a reviewer, you may not receive any payment in any way for any grant in that program (unpaid collaborator roles are acceptable).

How do I submit a full application once my pre-proposal has passed the first stage of review?
Only those applicants who pass the pre-proposal triage stage are invited to submit a full application. Full applications are linked to pre-proposals through our online system. At the application stage, you must update cover sheet fields and attach your application document (the requirements for which are detailed in the program's specific application instructions e-mailed to invited applicants only).

How quickly will my full application be reviewed?
In an effort to move projects from the idea stage to the grant-funding stage quickly, MJFF employs an expedited review process-once submitted, applications generally are sent to reviewers one week after the application deadline. The full application review process usually takes about three months (but the Foundation reserves the right to change this as needed for any program).

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How is my full application reviewed?
A review committee, made up of experts in the fields appropriate to the program, reviews all of the applications. Each application receives independent scientific reviews, with a score assigned by each reviewer. Scores are averaged, and all members of the review committee are convened to discuss the top grants (the exact number of which is determined on a program-by-program basis) at an in-person review meeting.

All reviewers are sent the top grants prior to the in-person grant review meeting, and at the meeting all are expected to share considered opinions on each. Each grant is discussed in turn, and grants are then rescored by each member of the committee. The resulting ranked list of grants is submitted to the Foundation for consideration. The Foundation makes final award decisions based on these scientific recommendations, as well as on funding portfolio considerations (such as whether the proposal in question duplicates another grant already funded).

Can my budget include indirect costs? What is the MJFF definition of and policy for direct and indirect costs?
Your budget can include indirect costs. MJFF considers indirect costs to be the percentage charge an institution attaches to all grants, which usually covers expenses such as electricity, use of lab space, etc. Direct costs are budget items required for conducting the study-for instance, supplies, equipment usage fees, patient travel (where appropriate for the program), salaries, etc. Indirect costs are the same as overhead costs.

For MJFF grants, indirect costs are allowed in addition to direct costs. Refer to the program RFA for further information.

Though calculated based on direct costs, indirect costs are allowed in addition to direct costs for MJFF grants. For example, for a program with 10 percent indirect costs allowed, a grant with $100,000 direct costs is allowed up to $10,000 indirect costs - for a total budget of $110,000.

In the event of a collaboration between multiple institutions, indirect costs are paid only once-either to the PI's institution as a percent of total direct costs or, in the case of multiple PIs, to each PI's institution as a percent of each institution's total direct costs.

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