How much funding can be received?

The AICE – Tech for Healthy Aging grant, powered by AGE-WELL and Alberta Innovates, seeks to accelerate the commercialization of innovative technology solutions that improve the health and quality of life for older adults in Alberta. Eligible projects must align with Alberta Innovates’ AICE Concepts or AICE Validate programs and focus on addressing key challenges such as supportive homes, healthcare delivery, cognitive health, and more, with funding available up to CAD 200,000 or 300,000 based on the project's stage.

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This grant specifically targets companies that are based within the province of Alberta, as outlined by the grant requirements. The focus on Alberta-based organizations serves to boost local innovation and development in health technology innovations related to healthy aging.

Eligible companies must be based in Alberta, Canada.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$115,000

Vancouver

Launching an eco-friendly packaging product line in partnership with Green Innovators

$60,000

Halifax

Establishing a community kitchen to tackle food insecurity with Community Food Network

$90,000

Toronto

Developing an online platform for sustainable agriculture training in collaboration with AgriTech Canada

$50,000

Calgary

Creating an art therapy program for mental health support in collaboration with local health centers

$70,000

Montréal

Developing a mobile app to promote urban biking routes with Smart City Solutions

$150,000

Ottawa

Implementing a renewable energy program for low-income households with EcoPower Group

grant_single_labels|admissibility

To be eligible for the AICE – Tech for Healthy Aging grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:

The applicant must be based in Alberta, Canada.
Eligible organization types are Academic Institutions, Researchers, and Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

This grant is targeted at Alberta-based academic institutions and researchers, as well as small to medium enterprises (SMEs), that are involved in the development and commercialization of technologies for healthy aging. Applicants should have projects that align with Alberta Innovates’ AICE Concepts or AICE Validate programs and address the Healthy Aging priority area. The projects must also meet the needs of populations at risk and equity-deserving groups of older adults and care partners, and align with at least one of AGE-WELL’s Challenge Areas such as Supportive Homes & Communities, Mobility & Transportation, Health Care & Health Service Delivery, among others.

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This grant does not provide specific exclusions or restrictions for industries or companies based on the given information. Eligibility focuses on Alberta-based academic institutions and small to medium-sized enterprises.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible projects for this grant are those that leverage technology to improve the health and quality of life for older adults. These projects focus on technological advancement in areas crucial for aging well and independently.

Advancement of digital health tools to monitor and manage health conditions.
Development of assistive devices for increased autonomy and independence.
Implementation of telehealth technologies to enhance healthcare accessibility.
Creation of fall detection and prevention systems for increased safety.
Development of social connectivity platforms to reduce isolation among older adults.

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Eligible project costs that can be covered by AGE-WELL funding include expenses directly related to research and knowledge mobilization for supporting healthy aging technologies.

Incremental research and knowledge mobilization costs, including salaries to highly qualified personnel (HQP), such as students, postdoctoral fellows, and research associates.
Professional and technical services or contracts, such as service delivery contracts.
Equipment necessary for the project.
Materials and supplies required for research and development.
Project-related travel expenses, including those for in-person events or workshops.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the AICE – Tech for Healthy Aging grant rely on specific criteria to ensure projects meet the strategic objectives related to advancing technologies in healthy aging.

Alignment with AGE-WELL Challenge Areas, ensuring the project addresses identified real-world challenges faced by older adults and caregivers.
Involvement of older adults and/or caregivers in the project, highlighting the engagement methodology in the research and development process.
Consideration of equity, diversity, and inclusion principles within the project design and execution, including the integration of sex and gender considerations where applicable.
Collaboration between sectors and engagement with community-based organizations or industry partners, if applicable, to enhance the reach and impact of the project.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for the AICE – Tech for Healthy Aging grant:

Step 1: Preliminary Registration
- Visit the Alberta Innovates website to access the AICE – Concepts or AICE – Validate program pages.
- Utilize the SmartSimple online application portal to register your intent to apply by completing the non-confidential summary section of your application draft.
- Ensure registration is completed within the specified window (open early April 2024) and before the registration deadline of May 10, 2024.
Step 2: Submit Intake Form
- Complete the AICE Intake form and submit it at least 4 weeks in advance of the full application deadline.
- Contact Alberta Innovates to discuss the best fit for your project and ensure alignment with program objectives.
Step 3: Full Application Preparation
- Prepare the Full Application, ensuring you indicate if you want to be considered for the Healthy Aging priority call.
- Attach the AICE – Tech for Healthy Aging Supplementary Application and Self-Identification forms.
- Consult the AICE program web pages for guidelines and align your application with eligibility criteria and program objectives.
Step 4: Submit Full Application
- Log into the Alberta Innovates portal and finalize the Full Application submission.
- Ensure that all supporting documents are uploaded accurately, including the supplementary forms.
- Submit your completed application by the deadline of November 8, 2024, at 4 p.m. MST.
Step 5: Application Confirmation
- Receive confirmation of your application submission from Alberta Innovates.
- Keep this confirmation for your records and further communication.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

The AICE – Tech for Healthy Aging grant focuses on advancing and validating technologies that support healthy aging, specifically aligning with AGE-WELL's challenge areas. The program emphasizes projects from underrepresented groups and requires compliance with equity, diversity, and inclusion principles.

The grant is available for projects with a technology readiness level (TRL) of 2 to 6.
Successful projects will be co-funded by Alberta Innovates and AGE-WELL, with separate funding agreements required.
AGE-WELL funding must be used by March 31, 2026, and cannot be sub-granted by the applicant.
Eligible project costs for AGE-WELL funding include salaries for highly qualified personnel, professional services, equipment, materials, and travel.
Applicants from underrepresented groups, including Indigenous Peoples and members of LGBTQ2+ communities, are strongly encouraged.
Projects must engage older adults and caregivers, incorporating their involvement in all research stages.

grant_single_labels|contact

bindi.ferguson@albertainnovates.ca

780-306-1099

Apply to this program

Accelerating Innovations into CarE for Healthy Aging

This grant program, a joint initiative by AGE-WELL and Alberta Innovates, is designed to fund and accelerate the commercialization of innovative technologies aimed at supporting healthy aging. Eligible projects benefit from financial support and strategic guidance to improve the quality of life for older adults and caregivers in Alberta.

Detailed Insights into the Accelerating Innovations into CarE – Tech for Healthy Aging Grant

The Accelerating Innovations into CarE (AICE) – Tech for Healthy Aging grant is a strategic initiative focused on enhancing health innovation, particularly by advancing technologies conducive to healthy aging. Powered by AGE-WELL and Alberta Innovates, the program targets researchers and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) based in Alberta. This initiative is part of Alberta's larger goal to foster groundbreaking digital health technologies that promise a better quality of life for older adults and pave the way for sustainable healthcare solutions.

This grant supports projects through two primary funding mechanisms: the AICE – Concepts and the AICE – Validate programs, both offering substantial financial backing for suitable projects. The AICE – Concepts program provides funding up to $200,000 CAD to bolster early-stage health research and innovations that have conspicuous commercial potential. Meanwhile, the AICE – Validate program offers up to $300,000 CAD for projects that have already established a strong proof-of-concept but require further validation and refinement.

The program aligns with specific challenge areas, including supportive home environments, mobility and transportation solutions, healthcare service delivery, and cognitive health technologies, among others, set forth by AGE-WELL. Applicants are strongly encouraged to address the needs of diverse and equity-deserving groups, ensuring that the technologies under development cater to a wide range of users with specific attention to populations at heightened risk.

For the successful execution and funding qualification, the applicants need to establish detailed project plans aligning with these challenge areas. Additionally, they should engage older adults and caregivers throughout the project lifecycle as active participants in the research and development process. This engagement not only enriches the research with real-world input but also aligns it closely with the users' needs and expectations.

The funding program places a strong emphasis on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), urging applicants to integrate these principles into their project designs. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their projects will embrace diverse perspectives, including those from Indigenous and underrepresented communities, ensuring inclusive innovation outcomes that can benefit a broad spectrum of stakeholders.

Successful grant recipients will have the advantage of entering collaborative agreements with both Alberta Innovates and AGE-WELL—which offer not only financial support but also a plethora of resources, including access to AGE-WELL’s EPIC Program, which is designed to enhance industry-research collaborations and knowledge mobilization activities. These resources are invaluable for scaling innovations and facilitating the transition from research outcomes to market-ready solutions.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their intake forms well ahead of the deadlines to maximize their chance of success and are advised to consult with Alberta Innovates to identify the best fit for their project within the program. Successfully funded projects are expected to show a strong market opportunity, a competitive edge in technology and service delivery, and a significant economic impact within Alberta, aligning with the overarching goals of the grant to foster sustainable health technology innovations.