Other: Summer Program in Aging

How to Apply: 

The CIHR-IA Summer Program in Aging (SPA) is an intensive 5-day capacity-building program with the aim of providing graduate trainees with advanced training that crosses disciplines, offers networking opportunities, and disseminates best practices in research. SPA has been held yearly across Canada since 2006 on a different strategic theme each year. The program brings together up to 40 research trainees and numerous academic mentors to participate in interactive learning sessions over the course of one week. The strategic theme for SPA 2023 will be Longer-living older adults: Multidisciplinary approaches to a growing area of research on aging.

Globally we are seeing increases in life expectancy across all regions. For most countries this is resulting in a greater number of older adults living into their 80s, 90s and even older. In Canada, the number of older adults who are 80+ years of age is projected to increase by 300-400 percent from 1.6 million in 2018 to between 4.7- 6.3 million by 2068 (Statistics Canada, 2019). While this demographic trend is a success story in terms of medical and social advancements, the correlation of advanced age with increased co-morbidity and, in particular, dementia will contribute to increased challenges for health services and social supports. SPA 2023 will shine a light on the experiences, realities, needs and challenges of this growing population living into advanced age. The program will provide trainees with a holistic understanding of this segment of our older population with considerations across the aging spectrum from biology, frailty, and function, to levels of dependency and solutions for complex challenges facing our health and social systems.

During SPA 2023, trainees will have an opportunity to:

  1. Understand the heterogeneity and malleability of health trajectories of the older population living into advanced age with a focus on topics such as dementia, frailty, mental health, disability, multiple long-term conditions, health care utilization and quality of care and support.
  2. Explore inclusion, diversity, equity and SGBA+ considerations for research about longer-living older adults.
  3. Consider this population through Indigenous perspectives.
  4. Explore a range of methodological approaches to researching longer-living older adults, including approaches that offer meaningful involvement of older adults.
  5. Gain an understanding of COVID-related implications for research.
  6. Understand potential research opportunities and availability of data sources.
  7. Interact with leading researchers and academic mentors with expertise in longer-living older adults.
  8. Become familiar with policies and practices that support longer-living older adults in both community and healthcare settings.
  9. Understand ethical and social issues surrounding research involving longer-living older adults.
  10. Gain an understanding of the studies and initiatives linked to the Institute of Aging's major initiatives: the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging and the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging.
  11. Develop skills in knowledge mobilization and knowledge translation for various audiences (general public, media, health professionals, decision makers).
  12. Develop skills in grant writing and peer review.
  13. Explore career options and skills for career development.
  14. Build a professional multi-disciplinary network of researchers interested in research on longer-living older adults.

SPA 2023 will be held in Nova Scotia from June 4-9, 2023. The formal program is expected to take place over five days, with allotted time for networking with other SPA 2023 participants. Trainees are required to attend all program sessions and networking events, with some events occurring in the evening and/or early morning. A timetable will be provided to participants upon acceptance and prior to the training program.

Over the course of SPA 2023, trainees will have the opportunity to engage in lectures, discussion, and activities built around the core thematic area Longer-living older adults: Multidisciplinary approaches to a growing area of research on aging. Aside from lectures centred on the program area, trainees will explore fundamental topics such as research and professional skill building, grant writing, research communication, incorporating the perspective of those with lived experience in research, and the importance of knowledge mobilization. To further the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary experience, trainees will have access to networking and mentoring opportunities with national and international mentors.

Note: All trainees interested in attending SPA 2023 MUST apply through this Funding Opportunity. Selection for the 2023 CIHR-IA Summer Program in Aging will take place through this competition.

External Deadline: 
Thursday, November 24, 2022
Funding Source: 
External
Funding Level: 
Doctoral
Masters
Research