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Institute of Aging
in partnership with
Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health
Institute of Gender and Health
Institute Health Services and Policy Research
Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis
Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes
Institute of Population and Public Health
CIHR Ethics Office
CIHR Research Translation
CIHR Knowledge Translation
Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
| Important Dates | |
| Initiative Launched: | June 2005 (as part of Seniors' Month) |
| Content Last Updated: | May 1, 2006 (Mobility in Aging-Additional Opportunities) |
| Initiative Activities: |
June 15, 2005 - Funding Opportunities Launch December 15, 2005 - Funding Opportunities Launch |
| Initiative Outcomes: | See Mobility in Aging Reports |
| Initiative-related Events: | See Mobility in Aging-related Events |
| Summary | |
|
The June 2005 Seniors' month marked the launch of the Mobility in Aging Initiative of the CIHR Institute of Aging. The long-term goal of the Mobility in Aging Initiative is to address research and knowledge translation needs within the range of intrinsic and extrinsic challenges (from biological to environmental) associated with mobility of older Canadians. Such investments will ultimately optimize the well-being of a large number of current and future older Canadians as well as significantly reduce the nation's health care costs. Fundamental to this initiative are multi-disciplinary approaches to addressing the larger health issues and questions within Mobility in Aging. Early activities under this strategic initiative are focusing on its development and engaging relevant communities by providing funding opportunities to the research community for planning and development activities and for research and knowledge translation across a variety of disciplines and targeting different users. Users include, but are not limited to, health care and public health practitioners, program administrators, policy-makers, research users, patient groups, citizens, researchers, and research funding organizations. This strategic initiative will evolve and be informed through consultations with key experts, users, and relevant partners, to maximize the potential relevance of research findings and outcomes to research users and end users. Funds Available | |
Background
Objectives of the Strategic Initiative
Eligible Research and Research-related Activities
Mechanisms of Support
General CIHR Guidelines on Grants, Eligibility and Peer Review
Relevance Review Process
Description of Partners
Mobility in Aging Reports
Mobility in Aging-related Events
Contacts
In the context of the Mobility in Aging Initiative, mobility encompasses not only participation in society (e.g., ability to drive and having accessible public transportation) and physical activity of older adults, but also the performance of specific maneuvers such as walking or climbing stairs and the carrying out of instrumental activities of daily living.
Mobility is a challenge for a significant proportion of the older population. In addition to extrinsic barriers of mobility, such as inappropriate transportation infrastructure, aids and physical environments; older adults also cope with intrinsic barriers, such as fear of falling and mobility impairments. Currently of those 60 years of age or over, 13% have mobility impairments; the proportion climbing to 30% by 80 years of age.1 As baby boomers move through their senior years over the next 4 decades, the number of Canadians living with mobility impairments will grow exponentially. In fact, 54% of older Canadians already believe that they are less mobile than they were 10 years ago: more than one third have difficulty climbing several flights of stairs and one quarter have difficulty bending or stooping (28%) or walking a kilometre or more (24%).2
Mobility in older adults can significantly affect social and economic independence along with physical and mental health. Research addressing the range of intrinsic and extrinsic challenges associated with mobility in aging has the potential to optimize the well-being of a large number of Canadians as well as significantly reduce the nation's health care costs: the goal of this initiative.
Research within and across CIHR's four research themes, and within and across disciplines (e.g., biology, engineering, physical science, humanities and social sciences) is required to achieve the goal of this initiative. Thus, fundamental to this initiative are multi-disciplinary approaches to addressing the larger health issues and questions within Mobility in Aging. Necessarily collaborations and partnerships are integral to this approach.
Maximizing the impact of research in Mobility in Aging requires knowledge translation. While ideally research underpins evidence-based practices, programs and policies, there are areas in Mobility in Aging where the research results are available, but are not in a format readily accessible to the relevant users. Identifying and addressing these gaps requires research methods designed to systematically scope and synthesize evidence and methods of communication appropriate to the target audience(s). Input from users on research issues, design, through to evaluation ensures relevance of the research and its impact. Again collaborations and partnerships are also an essential component.
The Institute of Aging is consulting with other CIHR Institutes and other research funding agencies. Government, private sector and non-governmental organizations, whose interests lie, e.g., in industrial design, transportation, and consumer groups, will see an important role for themselves within this initiative. The growing list of partners in the Mobility in Aging Initiative demonstrates the breadth and complexity of issues of the initiative. Targeted areas of interest of Partnering organizations and other CIHR Institutes are delineated under "Description of Partners" further below.
The long-term goal of the Mobility in Aging Initiative is to address research and knowledge translation needs within the range of intrinsic and extrinsic challenges (from biological to environmental) associated with mobility of older Canadians. Such investments will ultimately optimize the well-being of a large number of current and future older Canadians as well as significantly reduce the nation's health care costs.
Initial objectives are to:
To help achieve the above objectives, the Mobility in Aging Initiative currently includes support for Planning and Development Proposals, Research Synthesis Proposals, and additional funding opportunities provided by partners. Further details on the requirements and specific goals of these funding programs are available under Mechanisms of Support. Such support will generate useful information, networking and other outcomes for Mobility in Aging Initiative planners, partners, research community and users.
The Mobility in Aging Initiative will evolve. To maximize the potential relevance to research users and end users this strategic initiative will be informed through consultations with key experts, users, and relevant partners.
Subsequent updates on the Mobility in Aging Initiative will include additional funding programs and activities that reflect partnership activities and that are based the actions required to address the targeted needs and challenges in Mobility in Aging in Canada as determined through consultations.
Relevant publications and outcomes of funded projects and consultations are posted under "Mobility in Aging Reports".
Research and research-related activities should move forward on addressing research and knowledge translation needs and emerging opportunities within the range of intrinsic and extrinsic challenges associated with Mobility in Aging. Research on Aging is that which addresses issues of aging and/or the aged as essential elements of the research objectives, hypotheses and analyses (e.g., dynamics of aging, age-relevant models and/or aged subjects; uniqueness of aging or aged population). In this context of aging, eligible areas of inquiry under the Mobility in Aging Initiative encompass the following:
Within or across any of the above areas, eligible activities also include addressing ethical issues/impact of the research, research translation and research outcomes. The eligibility of proposals will be assessed through the established CIHR Relevance Review Process. The targeted areas of interest of Partnering organizations and other CIHR Institutes, as delineated under "Description of Partners" further below, will also be a consideration in cases of partnered programs.
There is potential overlap between the above areas, and restriction to one area is not expected. Similarly, addressing multiple areas is not an absolute requirement, although multi-disciplinary approaches are encouraged.
Future initiative development and targeting areas of inquiry that best meet the needs of users, requires consultations with various disciplines and sectors.
For instructions on how to apply for funding opportunities specific to Mobility in Aging, please refer to the "Mobility in Aging-Specific Requests for Applications" in the following Table.
For instructions on how to apply for additional funding opportunities, please refer to "Mobility in Aging-Additional Funding Opportunities" in the following Table. The IA is committed to considering the support of highly ranked applications to the relevant additional funding opportunities being launched by CIHR and partner organizations. Applications rated 3.5 or above, which appear to be pertinent to Mobility in Aging, may be put forward to the IA, where they will be formally reviewed for relevance as per the criteria described under "Relevance Review Process". IA's decision to support relevant applications, and to what degree, will rest on the peer review ratings and budget projections at the time of review.
For updated information on previous funding opportunities under this initiative, see "Archived-Mobility in Aging-Funding Opportunities".
| Mobility in Aging-Specific Requests for Applications | Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Planning and Development Grants: to provide opportunities for the support of planning and/or development activities that normally precede complex, multi-stakeholder and/or team research programs in Mobility in Aging. A single grant will range from $80,000 - $100,000 per year for up to one (1) year (non-renewable). |
Registration: April 1, 2006 Application: June 1, 2006 |
| Research Syntheses : identify research and knowledge translation gaps and further strengthen knowledge translation by supporting research synthesis in order to provide for evidence-informed decision-making. Amount awarded for a single grant: $50 000 - $100 000 per year for one (1) year (non-renewable). |
Registration: April 1, 2006 Application: June 1, 2006 |
| Operating Grants - Priority Announcement: Institute of Aging: to further research advances through operating support, IA will fund highly-rated research applications that are determined to be relevant to Mobility in Aging and do not receive funding through CIHR's regular competitions. Applications are submitted through the regular CIHR competition. Maximum amount awarded for a single grant: $150,000 per year for a duration between 1 and 3 years. Note: this program is also open to other IA priorities. |
Registration: February 1, 2006 Application: March 1, 2006 |
| Mobility in Aging-Additional Opportunities | Deadlines |
|---|---|
| NSERC - CIHR Collaborative Health Research Project (CHRP) Grants support teams that include expertise in the natural sciences or engineering, and in the health sciences. Priorities set by CIHR under this program include the field of Mobility in Aging. (Updated: 2006-05-01) |
Letter of intent: May 1, 2006 Application: October 2, 2006 |
| NSERC Strategic Project Grants has identified Biomedical Technologies as a target area which includes Technologies for Independent Living and In-Home Care. (Updated: 2006-02-15) |
Application: April 18, 2006 (Updated: 2005-02-15) |
|
Proof of Principle Phase I & Proof of Principle Phase II Proof of Principle Phase II Grants: will fund proof of principle research projects up to 12 months duration at the co-investment stage undertaking follow-on proof of principle activities in partnership with a non-academic investor. This funding opportunity is aimed at providing a platform to better enable the academic institution/researcher to move the discovery/invention further down the innovation pipeline. |
Letter of Intent: March 1, 2006 May 1, 2006 October 1, 2006 Application: April 1, 2006 June 15, 2006 November 1, 2006 |
| CIHR Innovation and Industry Programs: offers a suite of commercialization initiatives that encourage the capacity of universities and teaching hospitals to interact with partners responsible for delivering the benefits of health research. It offers vehicles to support seed funding for pre-competitive research development of projects deemed to possess commercial potential, provides opportunities for entrepreneurial training and provides support for technology transfer process elements and infrastructure. There are two main arms to CIHR's Innovation and Industry Programs: the CIHR/Rx&D; Research Program; and the CIHR/SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) Research Program. Rx&D;: Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies |
Registration: February 15, 2006 May 15, 2006 July 1, 2006 September 1, 2006 December 15, 2006 Application: April 15, 2006 July 15, 2006 September 1, 2006 November 1, 2006 February 15, 2007 |
| NSERC Idea to Innovation (I2I) Program: a program of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council aims to accelerate the pre-competitive development of promising technology and promote its transfer to Canadian companies. The program supports research and development projects with recognized technology transfer potential by providing crucial assistance to university researchers in the early stages of technology validation and market connection. Maximum amount awarded for a single grant: $125,000 per year for up to 1 year. |
Application: January 16, 2006 April 10, 2006 July 3, 2006 September 29, 2006 Applications must be directly submitted to NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council) |
International Opportunity Program to encourage Canadian researchers to collaborate internationally in CIHR and the Institutes' priority areas of health research through the International Opportunities Program. This program offers two types of one-time funding grants for Canadian researchers in different stages of an international collaboration:
|
Registration: August 15, 2006 Applications: September 15, 2006 Anticipated notification of decision: January 31, 2007 Anticipated start date: February 28, 2007 |
| The CIHR Ethics Office: promotes research on ethical issues related to health and health research. Research involving elderly people frequently raises important ethical issues. The aged constitute one of the most vulnerable groups in society, because a disproportionate number labour under reduced mobility, compromised health and diminished mental capacity. CIHR Ethics will contribute through various Mobility in Aging-Mechanisims of support as well as through the CIHR IA Research on Aging Advancement Program, where the proposals address ethical issues/impact of the research, research translation and research outcomes. |
Research on Aging Advancement Program applications on Ethics will be accepted until March 1 2006. Applications must be directly submitted to aging@interchange.ubc.ca |
| Archived-Mobility in Aging-Funding Opportunities | Timelines and Updates |
|---|---|
| Partnerships in Health Systems Improvements: to support teams of researchers and decision-makers interested in conducting applied health research useful to health system managers and/or policy makers over the next two-to-five years. IA will contribute up to $200,000 per year to successful applications that fit within one or more of its priority research areas, with an emphasis on Mobility in Aging. Maximum amount awarded for a single grant: $150,000 over the life of the project (up to a maximum of 3 years) from CIHR. Matched funding (1:1 acceptable minimum) is required. |
Letter of Intent: December 15, 2005 Application: May 1, 2006 Letters received: Tbc Applicants: TBC |
| Planning and Development Grants: to provide opportunities for the support of planning and/or development activities that normally precede complex, multi-stakeholder and/or team research programs in Mobility in Aging. Maximum amount awarded for a single grant: $80,000 per year for up to one (1) year (non-renewable). |
Registration: August 15, 2005 Application: September 15, 2005 Registrants: 11 Applicants: 9 Funding decisions: February 2006 |
| New National and International Perspectives on Gender and Health - Pilot Project Grants: to generate research and build research capacity relevant to gender (socio-cultural experiences), sex (biological factors) and health. IA will consider co-funding successful applications that fit within one or more of IA's priority research areas, with an emphasis on Mobility in Aging. Maximum amount awarded for a single grant: $150,000 over the life of the project (up to a maximum of 3 years) from CIHR. |
Registration: August 15, 2005 Application: September 15, 2005 Registrants: TBC Applicants: TBC Funding decisions: February 2006 |
| (Updated: 2006-01-23) Proof of Principle Phase I: support proof of principle research projects designed to advance discoveries/inventions towards commercializable technologies, with a view to attract new investment and create new science-based businesses. Maximum amount awarded for a single grant: $150,000 for one year (non-renewable). |
Various deadlines Mobility in Aging-relevant grants |
General CIHR Guidelines on Grants, Eligibility and Peer review will apply. Any specific considerations or conditions are described in each funding opportunity.
Relevance to the Mobility in Aging Initiative will be assessed on the extent to which the proposed research and/or knowledge translation activity:
Applicants should note that for funding opportunities solely supported by IA, unless otherwise stated, the focus of the Institute of Aging is primarily on the functional limitations as the consequences of diseases rather than on the diseases themselves, as these are addressed by other CIHR Institutes.
For partnered funding opportunities, additional target areas identified by CIHR Institutes and Partner organizations may also qualify for eligibility for partner funding. Targeted areas of interest of CIHR Institutes and partnering organizations are delineated under "Description of Partners" further below.
The process for relevance review is fully described in each funding opportunity. Such reviews will take place prior to and in the absence of any knowledge about the outcome of peer review and will have no impact on the peer review process.
The Institute of Aging is consulting with other CIHR Institutes, other research funding agencies, and partners. Government, private sector and non-governmental organizations, whose interests lie, e.g., in industrial design, transportation, and consumer groups, will see an important role for themselves within this initiative. The growing list of partners in the Mobility in Aging Initiative demonstrates the breadth and complexity of issues of the initiative.
The IA is currently soliciting interest in co-funding this initiative from partners with overlapping interest. Researchers are also strongly encouraged to seek out additional partners to support and disseminate research in Mobility in Aging.
Current partners and their targeted areas of interest within the context of Mobility in Aging are listed below:
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
CIHR is Canada's major federal funding agency for health research. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system.
CIHR - Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health
The CIHR Institute of Aboriginal People's Health (IAPH) will support health research that respects aboriginal cultures, while generating new knowledge to improve the health and well being of aboriginal people. CIHR-IAPH will strive to improve the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people by supporting innovative research programs based on scientific excellence and aboriginal community collaboration. The available funds for this initiative are yet to be determined.
CIHR - Institute of Gender and Health
The mandate of the IGH supports research that addresses how sex (biological-genetic factors) and gender (social-cultural experiences) interact with other socio-cultural, bio-physical, and political-economic factors to influence health, and create conditions that differ with respect to risk factors or effective interventions for males and females throughout the lifespan. The objectives of the Institute for Gender and Health are (1) to generate evidence regarding the impact of sex and gender on health status, health behaviour, and health services use throughout the life span; (2) to enhance understanding of how gender and sex interact with other health determinants; (3) to provide evidence to inform the design of programs, policies and practices; (4) to build the capacity of gender and health researchers in Canada; and (5) to advance the gender and health perspective nationally and internationally.
The Institute of Gender and Health strongly encourages applicants to demonstrate the use of sex/gender-based or sex/gender-sensitive analysis (SGBA) in applications. SGBA is an approach to research and evaluation which systematically inquires about biological (sex-based) and sociocultural (gender-based) differences between women and men, boys and girls, without presuming that any such differences exist. The purpose of SGBA is to promote rigorous sex/gender-sensitive health research which expands understanding of health determination in both sexes, in order to provide knowledge which can result in improvements in health and health care.
IGH will contribute up to $50,000.
CIHR-Institute of Health Services and Policy Research
The CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR) supports outstanding research, capacity-building and knowledge translation initiatives designed to improve the way health care services are organized, regulated, managed, financed, paid for, used and delivered, in the interest of improving the health and quality of life of all Canadians. IHSPR encourages the submission of applications that align with "Listening for Direction II (lfD II)" theme areas
CIHR - Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis
The goal of the CIHR - Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis is to support research to sustain health and enhance quality of life by eradicating the pain, suffering and disability caused by arthritis, musculoskeletal, oral and skin conditions.
To achieve its vision, IMHA will focus on three research priorities:
IMHA will contribute up to $100,000 per year to successful Planning and Development Grants applications that fit with Physical Activity, Mobility and Health.
CIHR - Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes
The CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD) supports research to enhance health in relation to diet, digestion, excretion, and metabolism; and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions and problems associated with hormone, digestive system, kidney, and liver function.
INMD will consider supporting meritorious applications that it deems relevant to INMD's Strategic Initiative Excellence Innovation and Advancement in the Study of Obesity and Healthy Body Weight. The goal of the strategic initiative is to increase our understanding of the measures, causes, prevention, treatment and consequences of obesity and maintenance of body weight. INMD's financial contribution to this initiative has yet to be determined.
CIHR - Institute of Population and Public Health
The CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH) supports research into the complex interactions (biological, social, cultural, environmental), which determine the health of individuals, communities, and global populations; and the application of that knowledge to improve the health of both populations and individuals, through strategic partnerships with population and public health stakeholders, and innovative research funding programs. See "What we do" for additional information about IPPH's research priorities.
CIHR Innovation and Industry Programs
CIHR's Research Translation Programs will fund meritorious applications relevant to Mobility in Aging within the available budgets of the following programs: CIHR/Rx&D Research Program, CIHR/SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) Research Program, and the Proof-of-Principle Programs: Phase I and II. Top-ranked, relevant applications will be considered meritorious and therefore fundable. Funding decisions will follow the ranking order of relevant applications. Any application receiving a score of less than 3.5 will not be considered for funding
CIHR's Ethics Office
The CIHR Ethics Office develops and implements research ethics policies, builds capacity and supports research on ethics. It also provides advice to the research community on ethical issues and public policy and legislative issues. CIHR Ethics will contribute through various Mobility in Aging-Mechanisims of support as well as through the CIHR IA Research on Aging Advancement Program, where the proposals address ethical issues/impact of the research, research translation and research outcomes.
CIHR - Knowledge Translation Branch (KT)
The role of the CIHR Knowledge Translation (KT) Branch is to create, support, monitor and sustain an environment that allows CIHR to deliver on its KT mandate. Fulfilling its corporate KT function, the KT Branch provides a focal point for KT as CIHR leads broad KT strategic initiatives and provides support to multi or pan-Institute KT initiatives.
Partner Organizations
Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine InitiativeNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
NSERC invests in people, discovery and innovation through programs that support university research in the natural sciences and engineering on the basis of national competitions, and that will continue to be its major activity. Partnerships with CIHR relevant to mobility in Aging include the Collaborative Health Research Projects (CHRP).
Regular initiative updates will provide for the timely posting of various Mobility in Aging Initiative outcomes, such as the reports on the outcome of funded projects and reports on consultations with key experts and relevant partners and stakeholders.
Mobility Consensus Conference. October 2002.
Regular initiative updates will provide links to Mobility in Aging-related conferences as well as IA-led consultations and think tanks.
TRANSED 2007 11th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons. Montreal, QC (June 18-21, 2007)
For questions about the Mobility in Aging initiative and research objectives, contact:
Susan Crawford
Assistant Director-Vancouver
The University of British Columbia
2080 West Mall, Room 038
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
Telephone: (604) 822-9075
Fax: (604) 822-9304
Email: susanmc@interchange.ubc.ca
For questions about Mobility in Aging partnership opportunities, contact:
Linda Mealing
Assistant Director-Ottawa
CIHR Corporate Headquarters
Telephone: (613) 952-4537
Fax: (613) 954-1800
E-mail: Lmealing@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For questions on CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process, see contacts for funding opportunity in question.
CIHR/Rx&D; and CIHR/SME Research Programs
Linda McKenziePlanning and Development Grants-Mobility and Physical Activity in Aging and the lifespan
Rob Cornforth
Program Delivery Coordinator
Knowledge Creation Programs, Research Portfolio
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: (613) 941-0989
Fax: (613) 954-1800
Email: rcornforth@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Research Synthesis in Mobility in Aging
Susan BirbeckOperating Grants: Priority Announcement-Institute of Aging
Grace AlmasiNSERC Idea to Innovation (I2I) Program
Telephone: (613) 947-9485
E-mail: I2I@nserc.ca
Proof-of-Principle Phase I & II Programs
Edit PalencsarPartnerships in Health Systems Improvements
Marie-Lynne Boudreau
Program Delivery Officer
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: (613) 941-0861
Fax: (613) 954-1800
Email: mboudreau@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
