AGE-WELL NCE
Core Research Program (CRP) 2020
Request for Proposals (RFP)

 

Program Name: AGE-WELL Core Research Program 2020
Partners: Mitacs, MEDTEQ
Note: Additional partners/collaborators may join this funding initiative over the coming months.
Program Launch Date: 2018-10-01

Important Dates:
Application Deadline: 2019-01-22
Anticipated Notice of Decision: 2019-03-31
Funding Start Date:

• 2019-04-01 (Catalyst Grant Phase)
• 2020-04-01 (Core Research Project, pending network renewal)

Notices/Updates: 

• (2018-12-06) We received news that the NCE Program will be phased out over the next few years with its full budget eventually transferring to the newly announced New Frontiers in Research Fund. We can confirm that AGE-WELL is eligible to apply for three years of renewal funding (April 2020 – March 2023).There will now be three years of available funding through the open Core Research Program Request for Proposals (RFP) instead of the planned five. AGE-WELL’s commitment remains as ever to support the development of a strong community of researchers and stakeholders in the field of technology and aging and to advance this community in Canada. In order to accommodate the change in the duration of the renewal period, and to accommodate teams who are well on their way to completing applications for five years of funding, the following changes to the RFP are effective immediately:
  • The application deadline will now be January 22, 2019 at 11:59pm PST.
  • Milestones, deliverables and budget should reflect a three-year project timeline highlighting what will be accomplished with AGE-WELL funds; however, applications outlining work initially planned for five years may still include the broader project scope. AGE-WELL will work with teams to position them for success through other funding sources for years 4-5.
  • Letters of support from partners that reflect a five-year commitment do not need to be revised. Successful projects will be asked to update their partner commitments within the Catalyst Phase (April 2019 – March 2020).
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section added (2018-10-29) and updated (2019-01-08).
• Information about the online RFP Collaboration Tool and link to the tool Submission Form added to the HOW TO APPLY section (2018-11-22).
• Application Guidelines_v5 updated (2018-12-06). See Cover Sheet, Section 2: What are your products?, Section 8: Team and Project Management, Section 10: Appendices, Part 2: Budget and Part 3: Letters of Support for additional clarification.

Table of Contents:
ABOUT AGE-WELL
RFP: CORE RESEARCH PROGRAM 2020
FUNDS AVAILABLE
HOW TO APPLY
REVIEW PROCESS AND EVALUATION
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ABOUT AGE-WELL

AGE-WELL is Canada’s Technology and Aging Network. The pan-Canadian Network brings together researchers, non-profits, industry, government, care providers, older adults and caregivers to develop technology-based solutions to support healthy aging. Currently, AGE-WELL includes more than 200 funded and affiliated researchers from 40 universities and research centres across Canada. Over 250 industry, government and non-profit partners have joined the Network. AGE-WELL works closely with older adults and caregivers to help current and future generations of Canadians enjoy the best quality of life possible. The Network does this by developing technologies and services to support their independent living, increase safety and security, and enhance their health and social participation. AGE-WELL was launched in 2015 through the federally funded Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program. Its first five-year mandate ends March 31, 2020.

AGE-WELL’s vision is:

Canada’s leadership in technology and aging benefits the world.

Towards this vision, AGE-WELL’s mission is:

To develop a community of researchers, older adults, caregivers, partners and future leaders that accelerates the delivery of technology-based solutions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: CORE RESEARCH PROGRAM 2020

As AGE-WELL completes its first five-year mandate (2015-2020), the Network is developing its plans and goals for its next iteration, specifically from 2020-2023. A key aspect of this planning process is the development of AGE-WELL’s next Core Research Program, which is a set of integrated, long-term research projects that are the cornerstone of the Network’s activities.

Applications are invited for new core research projects that will be included as part of AGE-WELL’s renewal application for funding through 2020-2023. AGE-WELL will provide significant funding for 3 years to projects that:

• Are driven by real-world problems and challenge areas
• Address specific areas of interest to AGE-WELL and its partners and stakeholders
• Focus on innovative technology-based solutions to support older adults and caregivers
• Are user-centred, involving end-users and stakeholders in all stages of the research
• Deliver not only the technology but the practice, policy, and service delivery models that are needed for the solution to be effective
• Use a transdisciplinary approach
• Have the potential to lead to economic and social impact
• Help AGE-WELL to achieve its mission

AGE-WELL will also collaborate with Network partners to provide additional funding as part of this Request for Proposals (RFP) including:

Mitacs: Mitacs is a national, not-for-profit organization that designs and delivers research and training programs in Canada. Mitacs and AGE-WELL are partnering together to provide additional funding and training for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in technology and aging. In support of these projects, Mitacs will help foster two-way interactions between academic and industrial partners, through the Mitacs Accelerate research internship program and the Mitacs Elevate postdoctoral fellowship program.

Mitacs Accelerate supports research internships between graduate students and/or postdoctoral fellows and a partner organization. Applicants can undertake multiple internships, either concurrently or consecutively, depending on their research needs. In order to facilitate these internships, Mitacs will work with interested applicants to determine how an internship could be designed when the project is being developed. Mitacs Elevate supports 2-year research projects between postdoctoral fellows and a partner organization. Fellows also benefit from extensive professional development workshops to further develop their project management, leadership and communication skills, namely, to better prepare them to become R&D managers.

MEDTEQ: MEDTEQ is the Quebec Consortium for Industrial Research and Innovation in Medical Technologies. Officially launched in September 2012, the consortium is supported by the Ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation (MESI) of Quebec and is also a Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) of the Canadian NCE program. MEDTEQ’s 150 members include SMEs and large national and multinational companies, universities and public research institutions as well as University Health Centers and their networks. Together they focus on the development of innovative world-class medical technologies and solutions demonstrating the Canadian medtech community’s leadership and know-how in this regard.

MEDTEQ’s mission is to accelerate innovation and position, on a global scale, products and services developed by the Canadian medical technologies industry, thereby generating major economic impacts while improving healthcare systems for the ultimate benefit of patients in Canada and around the world.

Research projects conducted by Quebec-based teams or having a collaboration with Quebec-based teams may receive additional funding from MEDTEQ in this application. The consortium will offer support to the researchers to ensure that their project complies with MEDTEQ’s financing rules. One important criterion is the involvement of an industrial partner having operations in Quebec. Note that MEDTEQ can provide support to teams to help identify Quebec-based industrial partners during either the RFP or Catalyst phase.

Note: Additional partners/collaborators, including partners/collaborators from industry and the private sector, may join this funding initiative over the coming months.

Challenge Areas

AGE-WELL’s core research projects must have the potential for real-world impact through the development of technology-based solutions that will support older adults and caregivers in their daily lives. Furthermore, these solutions must be grounded in real-life challenges that older adults and caregivers face.

A Challenge is an important but difficult and complex problem area (often know as a “wicked problem”) that demands innovation and deployment of real-world solutions. A Challenge is NOT just about problems, it may be about economic opportunities and making a positive contribution to Canadian society, government policy and the economy. A Challenge is more than ordinary research questions or priorities.

For AGE-WELL, a Challenge:

• Is difficult to accomplish, yet offers hope of being ultimately solvable
• Demands transdisciplinary collaboration
• Captures popular imagination and political support

Addressing a Challenge:

• Results in significant social and economic benefits to older adults and caregivers
• Pushes the scientific envelope
• Helps AGE-WELL achieve its vision and mission

AGE-WELL’s Core Research Program is organized around (8) eight Challenge Areas. All core research projects must fall within at least one of the following Challenge Areas:

1. Supportive Homes & Communities
2. Health Care & Health Service Delivery
3. Autonomy & Independence
4. Cognitive Health & Dementia
5. Mobility & Transportation
6. Healthy Lifestyles & Wellness
7. Staying Connected
8. Financial Wellness & Employment

AGE-WELL identified its Challenge Areas through extensive public consultations. As part of this RFP, we have prepared a brief overview of each of the Challenge Areas, together with examples of technologies, services, and policies and practices.  Examples should not be understood as an exhaustive list of research topics. The aim is to give applicants a starting point for brainstorming and a sense of the important long-term directions for creating impact.  Applicants should think carefully about how their project would contribute to this wider agenda (see “Challenge Statement” the Application Guidelines).

Expectations of Core Research Projects 

All core research projects must be holistic in their approaches and resulting products and outcomes. While it is expected that all core research projects will focus on innovative technology-based solutions, the technology on its own is not sufficient. AGE-WELL will only fund and support core research projects that deliver not only the technology, but also include key research objectives and deliverables related to the practice, policy, and service delivery models that are needed for the solution to be effective.

It is expected that all core research projects will have the required team members, partners, and stakeholders involved by April 1, 2020 to deliver outcomes in each of these areas. Applicants are advised to consult the Supporting Documents section of this package for additional information about AGE-WELL approaches and tools to help you complete the application.

FUNDS AVAILABLE

AGE-WELL and partner(s) financial contributions for this initiative are subject to availability of funds. Should AGE-WELL or partner(s) funding levels not be available or become decreased due to unforeseen circumstances, AGE-WELL and partner(s) reserve the right to reduce, defer or suspend financial contributions to grants received as a result of this funding opportunity.

The maximum investment per Core Research Project (3 years) is $200,000 per year (commencing April 1, 2020), for a maximum of $600,000 per grant.

Catalyst phase: Successful applications from this RFP will also receive a Catalyst grant of up to $30,000 with a one-year term (April 1, 2019 – March 31, 2020) in order for these selected projects to continue developing their plans.

The key outputs from the Catalyst phase will be a more detailed proposal and progress update for the main phase of their work during 2020-2023. We anticipate that activities during the Catalyst phase will focus primarily on:

• The non-core aspects of the project, e.g. KTEE, and building partnerships and team capacity
• Developing relationships with the stakeholders; i.e., older adults and caregivers should be involved in all aspects of the project from the start
• Building the “critical mass” within the Challenge Area; i.e., developing relationships and collaborations with the other projects within the Challenge Area and across the network, there may be activities you can do collectively such as shared responsibility for communications and outreach, pilot testing and field trials, development of technology platforms. These are activities that cannot be envisaged at the individual project level at the time of application and therefore need to be developed during the Catalyst phase.
• Recruit and have your full research team in place to hit the ground running April 2020
• Project teams may refine their methodology and detailed plans further, although we would not expect to see radical change from the initial proposal unless very strongly justified.

The specific requirements and outcomes of this Catalyst phase will be made available to all funded projects in March 2019.

Policies & Guidelines 

Eligibility 

• Researchers based at Canadian institutions working in the field of technology and aging are eligible to apply. AGE-WELL uses the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) definition of “independent researchers” when defining eligible grant holders (see http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/34190.html).
• AGE-WELL abides by the funding rules of the Tri-Council Agencies and CIHR in particular. Please consult the Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guide about eligibility, eligible grant expenses, partner contributions, etc.
• The applicant’s host institution must be eligible to hold Tri-Council funding. Canadian universities and investigators who are not already members of AGE-WELL will be required to sign onto the Network Agreement prior to receiving funds.

General AGE-WELL Policies

Successful applicants funded through this funding opportunity and any other persons working on the project must fully comply with the applicable AGE-WELL Terms and Conditions of Funding.

Allowable Expenses

Applicants should review the Use of Grant Funds section of the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) Financial Administration Guide for a complete listing and description of allowable costs and activities.

HOW TO APPLY

Application Guidelines and Online Application Form

Please consult the Application Guidelines for this RFP (also available in the Supporting Documents section). The online application form mirrors the guidelines posted on this page.

The online application form for this RFP will be available through AGE-WELL’s Forum Research Portal. To access the online application form, applicants must first request access to an account a portal account by e-mailing applications@agewell-nce.ca. Accounts will be set up within 24 hours of receiving the request. Once an account is created, applicants can access the application materials on the “My Applications” tab visible upon login.

Applicants are advised to develop their proposals in word processing software for transfer to the online application form as a final step.

Collaboration Tool

Researchers; industry, not-for-profit, and government partners; older adults and caregivers who are interested in sharing information and/or forging collaborations in relation to the RFP are invited to submit bio, interests and contact information to a password-protected search page using the AGE-WELL CRP 2020 RFP Collaboration Tool – Submission Form.

Information contained in the collaboration tool is provided on a voluntary basis and in no way confers any advantages in the evaluation and funding of applications. Information submitted through the online form will be immediately viewable in the collaboration search tool. Submitters will receive access to the password-protected search tool page by email.

Note that connections between submitters will not be facilitated directly by AGE-WELL. Prospective collaborators and partners are invited to contact each other directly using information shared in the collaboration tool.

Contact Information

For general inquiries about AGE-WELL NCE or this RFP, please contact the AGE-WELL Network Management Office:
Email: applications@agewell-nce.ca

For Mitacs inquiries, please contact your Mitacs Business Development Representative

For MEDTEQ inquiries, please contact Francois Bergeron, Directeur des partenariats/Director of partnerships:      
Email: francois.bergeron@medteq.ca

RFP Information Teleconferences

AGE-WELL will host three teleconferences during the RFP period to take calls from prospective applicants. We will use questions posed to the applications@agewell-nce.ca mailbox and questions from the open calls to develop and share FAQs in the Supporting Documents section of this page.

1. Tuesday, October 23, 2018: 2:30 – 3:30 pm EST
2. Monday, November 26, 2018: 2:30 – 3:30 pm EST
3. Thursday, December 13, 2018: 2:30 – 3:30 pm EST
4. Tuesday, January 8, 2019: 2:30 – 3:30 pm EST

REVIEW PROCESS AND EVALUATION

Each application will go undergo a scientific review conducted by AGE-WELL Research Management Committee and members of AGE-WELL’s College of Reviewers, and a relevancy review conducted by the AGE-WELL Older Adult and Caregiver Advisory Committee members and members at large, and a strategic review by AGE-WELL Scientific Directors.

RFP partners may require additional materials and review procedures to evaluate opportunities for additional funding. Every effort will be made to streamline and coordinate opportunities for additional funding.

Updates will be posted to this section during the open RFP period.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated across the following areas:

• Alignment with the Request for Proposals (RFP)
• Scientific Excellence
• Networking and Partnerships
• Knowledge and Technology Exchange and Exploitation
• Development of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP)
• Team and Project Management
• Budget

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

The following documents and tools are included to familiarize applicants with AGE-WELL approaches and to provide guidance around application questions.

• AGE-WELL CRP 2020 – Application Guidelines
• AGE-WELL Challenge Areas
• AGE-WELL Network Renewal Slide Deck
• AGE-WELL Information Sheets: Knowledge Mobilization, Commercialization, Transdisciplinary Working, Training and Mentorship
• AGE-WELL Innovation Workshop Worksheets (Project Partners, Goals and Strategies; Project Evaluation Plan; Project Milestones, Risks & Mitigation Strategies)
• MEDTEQ Guidelines

Detailed Timeline

Request for Proposals

• Release of RFP – October 2018
• Proposals due to AGE-WELL – January 2019
• Review of Proposals – January-March 2019
• Notice of Outcomes – March 2019

Catalyst and Core Research Program Funding

• Start of Catalyst Phase – April 2019
• Submission of Network Renewal Application including proposed new core research projects – July 2019
• Notice of Network Renewal – Fall 2019
• Catalyst Project Review – January-February 2020
• Launch of new Core Research Program – April 2020

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About the application process

1. Who is eligible to apply to this funding opportunity?

The RFP is an open national call for applications for new core research program projects. Researchers based at Canadian institutions working in the field of technology and aging are eligible to apply.

AGE-WELL uses the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) definition of “independent researchers” when defining eligible grant holders. In addition, the researcher’s host institution must be eligible to hold Tri-Council funding.

2. Can a Post-doctoral Fellow apply to the RFP?

In order to apply for AGE-WELL funding you must be an independent researcher eligible to hold Tri-Council funds (see link). We suggest that you reach out to other researchers (current AGE-WELL members or non-members) to discuss the opportunity and apply as a team.

3. How does one participate in the RFP Information Teleconferences?

The RFP webpage has been updated to include the call-in number and passcode to participate in the scheduled teleconferences. These calls are open to everyone interested in applying to the RFP. The next call is on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 2:30 – 3:30 pm EST.

4. When will the application be ready to access on AGE-WELL’s Forum Research Portal?

The application form is now available in Forum (https://forum.agewell-nce.ca/index.php/Main_Page) under “My Applications”. Details can also found in the Application Guidelines document.

5. Who is the contact person for questions regarding the RFP?

Please e-mail applications@agewell-nce.ca with general inquiries about AGE-WELL’s RFP.

6. Does the RFP allow for international collaboration?

AGE-WELL NCE funds must be issued to researchers at Canadian institutions. International collaborators are welcome and often important to AGE-WELL projects; however, we cannot flow funds to international collaborators directly. The Network Management Office can work with researchers to facilitate working with partners outside of Canada.

A few options for involving international collaborators:

• Use cash contributions from partner organizations (Canadian or otherwise) to fund work at an international site (i.e. these would be unrestricted funds unlike the AGE-WELL funds),
• International collaborators could seek matching funds from a program in their home locale which could be named as part of the overall AGE-WELL project budget as a partner contribution.
• Consider whether Mitacs international programs are suitable to support your collaboration https://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/accelerate/mitacs-accelerate-international.  Mitacs is an RFP partner and can help you to understand your options.
• Some expenses incurred by international collaborators may be paid via invoice by the grant holder.

7. Can our project be considered for MEDTEQ funding?

As a partner on the RFP, MEDTEQ may support projects with at least 1 partner in Quebec. Projects outside of Quebec that plan to go through Technology Readiness Level 6 may be considered for MEDTEQ funding if the industry partners are willing to participate financially in the project. Please see the MEDTEQ RSRI Program Guidelines included in the Supporting Documents or contact Francois Bergeron (francois.bergeron@medteq.ca). Projects will be asked to indicate their interest in additional MEDTEQ funding on the application form.

8. Can our project be considered for Mitacs funding?

There is an opportunity for interested applicants to work with this RFP partner through the Mitacs Accelerate research internship program and/or the Mitacs Elevate postdoctoral fellowship program. Please contact the Mitacs Business Development Representative in your area for further inquiries. Projects will be asked to indicate their interest in additional Mitacs funding on the application form.

9. Are there any unique considerations for college applicants?

Colleges are encouraged to apply to and lead projects in this RFP. AGE-WELL has supported projects led by college-based researchers through other funding programs, and will be looking to increase participation going forward. Other than satisfying the eligibility requirements to hold Tri-Council funding, there are no barriers to participation for college applicants. Note that limited costs for course load reduction for the replacement of faculty to support their involvement in applied research projects (up to $9,000 per course per faculty member) is an eligible expense.

10. Are there any restrictions from other funding sources when applying to the RFP?

Since AGE-WELL is funded through the federal Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program, applicants funded by governmental or non-governmental sources are eligible to apply.

11. Should the activities in the Catalyst phase be incorporated in the RFP application?

The application should focus on the Core Research Project proposal and not the specific activities in the Catalyst phase; however, we recognize that teams may still be building key partnerships at the time the application is due in January 2019 and throughout the Catalyst phase. Applicants will be asked to identify partners as either confirmed or proposed in the January 2019 application. Further details about the Catalyst phase can be found below.

12. What will happen during the Catalyst phase?

Projects that are successful in the RFP (i.e. Jan submission) will be granted up to $30k in Catalyst Funding to support the further development of their team and project during the Catalyst phase (April 1, 2019 – March 31, 2020). The key outputs from the Catalyst phase will be a more detailed proposal and progress update for the main phase of their work beginning in April 2020. We anticipate that activities during the Catalyst phase will focus primarily on:

• The non-core aspects of the project, e.g. KTEE, and building partnerships and team capacity.
• Developing relationships with the stakeholders; i.e., older adults and caregivers should be involved in all aspects of the project from the start.
• Building the “critical mass” within the Challenge Area; i.e., developing relationships and collaborations with the other projects within the Challenge Area and across the network, e.g. there may be activities you can do collectively such as shared responsibility for communications and outreach, pilot testing and field trials, development of technology platforms. These are activities that cannot be envisaged at the individual project level at the time of application and therefore need to be developed during the Catalyst phase.
• Recruiting and have your full research team in place to hit the ground running April 2020.
• Project teams may refine their methodology and detailed plans further, although we would not expect to see radical change from the initial proposal unless very strongly justified.

The specific requirements and outcomes of this Catalyst phase will be made available to all funded projects in March 2019.

13. How can someone get involved in the AGE-WELL Network?

Researchers, stakeholders, partners and community members are invited to visit our website (www.agewell-nce.ca) and sign up to join the AGE-WELL community at any time, or join the network through one of its funding opportunities such as the Core Research Program 2020 RFP.

14. What are the specifications of the two-page bios?

The two-page bios are free-form, and applicants should include sufficient information to enable reviewers to assess the appropriateness of each team member for their role indicated in the application. For researchers, biosketches should include name, title, keywords, education, select international activities, select grants held and select publications. For other project stakeholders, the biosketch should be tailored to their role in the project, specifying any prior work or engagement in relevant projects and initiatives. Two-page bios are not required from partner organizations, as they will provide a letter of support.

15. Is one researcher eligible to submit more than one application as Project Lead?

Eligible researchers are allowed to submit more than one application to the RFP; however, it is recommended that project teams think about how their proposed projects might fit together to contribute to the Challenge Areas. Note that a Project Lead may be involved in multiple projects but can only lead one successful project.

16. Should applications explicitly incorporate equity, diversity and inclusion considerations?

AGE-WELL is committed to principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). We believe that the participation of all qualified individuals, inclusive of members of under-represented groups, is essential to mobilize Canada’s best research, development and entrepreneurial expertise to create excellent, innovative and impactful results.

In the Core Research Program 2020 RFP Team and Project Management Section, AGE-WELL applicants are encouraged to explain their process of identifying, recruiting and selecting research team personnel based on equity, diversity and inclusion best practices as one means to enhance excellence in research, training and outreach.

Please see the following resources: CIHR’s Gender Equity Framework, NSERC’s Framework on EDI, and Guide for Applicants: Considering equity, diversity and inclusion in your application.

17. What are the page restrictions or maximum word counts for this application?

Please use 1 page = 550 words as a rule for completing the sections of the application. The AGE-WELL Forum Research Portal limits the number of words per section.

18. Does the application require institutional signatures?

There are no signatures from institutions required at this stage of the RFP. Project Leads should check with their own institutions for internal deadlines prior to submission.

19. Can the project have more than one Project Lead?

Yes, multiple Project Leads are acceptable and encouraged for the new Core Research Program Projects. Note that one Project Lead must submit the application in Forum on behalf of the team; however, there are opportunities to list all team members including other Project Leads in Section 8: Team and Project Management, and Section 10: Appendices. Project funds may be distributed to researchers on the team who are considered eligible to receive Tri-Council funding.

About the research project

1. Is there an age range that AGE-WELL supports in their funded research?

AGE-WELL’s core research projects must have the potential for real-world impact through the development of technology-based solutions that will support older adults and caregivers in their daily lives. While there is no specific age range for the target audience of older adults and caregivers, researchers must work closely with stakeholders and partners at all stages of the project.

2. How will the proposal, specifically the research component, be evaluated?

As described in the Application Guidelines, the proposal will include a detailed research plan with research questions, objectives, and methodology. Applications will undergo a scientific review conducted by the AGE-WELL Research Management Committee with expertise in the areas of technology and aging, and a relevancy review by the AGE-WELL Older Adult and Caregiver Advisory Committee. A document outlining the specific review criteria will be released prior to the application deadline.

3. What are the expectations of including policy into each project?

Depending on the project and the product(s) being developed, the policy implications will differ. The team may want to address organizational, municipal, provincial, territorial or federal policy through the project (e.g. a change in practice that needs to be reflected in a long-term care home’s organizational policy). While all 3 products (technology, service, and policy/practice) should be addressed, we are not necessarily looking for scientific research to be conducted in all 3 product areas (e.g. a partner can lead the policy piece).

4. How many members are expected to form a team?

The number of team members will vary based on the project. Projects will be judged on the structure, quality and strengths of the team according to the objectives of the project. Project teams must be transdisciplinary and should be composed of scientific researchers, stakeholders, and partners.

5. Will projects be matched or grouped together to create a Core Research Program project?

Depending on the applications received and reviewed, there may be several projects within a certain Challenge Area that will be selected to move that area forward. These projects will be expected to collaborate and partner with other projects in the same Challenge Area, which can begin during the Catalyst phase.  AGE-WELL’s Research Management Committee may make suggestions for specific research or partner applicants to work together.

6. If a project is segmented to a specific province and is looking to expand to other provinces, can it be considered for this funding opportunity?

Yes, projects that have already been started are eligible to apply; however, there can be no duplication of funding for the same activities.

7. Does the proposed project need to be disseminated on a national level?

The scale is specific to the project, and where the project is situated in the particular Challenge Area. Projects may be regional; however, it is important to have national exposure and impact across the Network. Note that Core Research Program projects will have access to resources within the AGE-WELL Network to support Knowledge and Technology Exchange and Exploitation related activities.

8. What support is available for protecting intellectual property (IP)?

In the current AGE-WELL Network, there are a number of resources available including staff in the Network Management Office, and industry partners in intellectual property law. However, all IP remains at the institutional level as AGE-WELL does not claim any IP. Institutions and researchers holding NCE funds will be required to sign the standard NCE Network Agreement which specifies an NCE’s IP policy vis a vis the home institution of the researcher.

9. Does the proposed project need to develop a technology?

While projects are not necessarily required to develop a technology-based solution, projects must of course incorporate a technology-based solution. For example, certainly a project could focus on development of a specific technology, or it could focus on the service delivery model and/or policy implications of a particular technology-based solution.

AGE-WELL’s mission is to develop a community of researchers, older adults, caregivers, partners and future leaders that accelerates the delivery of technology-based solutions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians. Towards this mission, AGE-WELL invests in projects that are holistic in their approach. In this way, the service delivery model, policy and practice implications of technology-based solutions to support older adults and caregivers are as important as the technology itself.

10. Does the project budget need to include institutional costs (i.e. indirect costs/overhead)?

The NCE Program is funded by the Tri-Councils; therefore AGE-WELL funds behave exactly like Tri-Council funds with respect to overhead and institutional calculations for the Research Support Fund. An indirect cost amount is not required to be added to the proposed project budget.

11. What does the Non-NCE heading in the budget template refer to?

The budget template is broken down into the total AGE-WELL NCE request and the total Partner Contributions (non-NCE). Please include both cash and in-kind partner contributions under the Non-NCE heading for each year of the project (columns F, H, and J). The total Partner Contributions (column C) will add up to all of the non-NCE funds.

In Part 3: Partnerships and Letters of Support, a table specifying the amount of cash and in-kind contributions from each partner will be required.