Call for Proposals 2024 AgeTech Advance: Healthy Aging Research Program (HARP)

Notices/Updates: 

• 2024-06-10: The application Budget Template spreadsheet and Word version of the application module are now posted to this webpage under Supporting Materials.
• 2024-06-14: The application module in the Forum research portal is now live. Instructions for accessing the module in Forum are included under How to Apply on this webpage.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

As AGE-WELL completes its 10-year mandate as a Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE), the network is advancing Canada’s aging innovation ecosystem through three interconnected pillars – capacity building (EPIC-AT – funded through CIHR Health Research Training Platform, technology adoption (envisAGE – funded through the Strategic Innovation Fund Steam 5) and research (funded through the Strategic Science Fund) —no one pillar alone is sufficient. The 2024 AgeTech Advance: Healthy Aging Research Program supports the critical research pillar of the ecosystem, focusing on technology-enabled solutions that support healthy aging.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), healthy aging is not solely about longevity, it is about creating the environments and opportunities that enable individuals to pursue what they value throughout their lives. Everybody can experience healthy aging. Being free of disease or infirmity is not a requirement for healthy aging, as many older adults have one or more health conditions that, when well controlled, have little influence on their wellbeing”. Technology plays a crucial role in facilitating healthy aging by providing innovative solutions that empower individuals to manage their health proactively and maintain their well-being, and that contribute to safer, more accessible, or more connected communities.

The 2024 AgeTech Advance: Healthy Aging Research Program (HARP) will support innovative projects that:

• Advance the development of novel technology-enabled solutions, or validate existing technologies in new environments, that enhance older adults’ lives and support healthy aging;
• Support a better understanding of the development, implementation, and adoption of AgeTech such as co-creation approaches with older adults or caregivers, ethics and technology, barriers to AgeTech adoption etc. that may strengthen pathways to impact for Canadian AgeTech innovations, and;
• Include and meet the needs of populations at risk and equity-deserving groups of older adults and care partners.

We strongly encourage submissions from underrepresented groups, including First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples of Canada, persons living with disabilities, members of visible minority/racialized groups, and members of LGBTQ2+ communities.

FUNDING AND AWARD DURATION

Funding Available: Up to $175,000 per project, depending on project scope, matching funding, and available program funding.

Matching Funding Requirement: A minimum of 50% of total eligible project costs must be provided by the applicant or its partners as cash or in-kind contributions (e.g. to receive the maximum funding amount for this award, total eligible project costs would be at least $262,500). Matching cash or in-kind funds must be from non-federal sources, such as industry, academic, *provincial, or the community. International partners are encouraged, however AGE-WELL funds must remain in Canada. Please refer to the definition of matching funds in the Application Guide.

Award Term: 18 months, with no possibility for extension. AGE-WELL project funds must be expended in full by March 31, 2026.

WHO CAN APPLY

The Nominated Principal Investigator must be an independent researcher affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution and/or its affiliated institutions (including hospitals, research institutes and other non-profit organizations with a mandate for health research and/or knowledge translation) at the time of funding.

Projects must involve an Early Career Researcher (ECR) as a Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI). ECRs are highly encouraged to serve as the Nominated PI. An ECR is a researcher within five years of the date of their first independent research-related appointment. Given that career progress for an ECR is particularly vulnerable to normal life circumstances, the eligibility window may be adjusted. Please refer to the Application Guide for further information.

Additional requirements:

1. The Nominated Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator(s) must hold substantive roles in Canada for the duration of the requested grant term.
2. Co-Applicants can be independent researchers, knowledge users, or trainees.
3. The Ultimate Recipient (institution paid) is required to execute an Ultimate Recipient Agreement or equivalent with AGE-WELL to enable the transfer of funding.

An individual cannot submit more than one application to this competition as a Nominated Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator but can be named as a co-applicant on more than one project.