Accelerating Innovations into CarE (AICE) – Tech for Healthy Aging

AICE – Tech for Healthy Aging is powered by AGE-WELL and Alberta Innovates to accelerate commercialization of technologies for healthy aging.

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Program at a Glance

Program Status: Active
Strategic Initiative: Digital Health
Business Area: Health Innovation
Priority Area(s): Accelerates commercialization of technologies for healthy aging.

Eligibility

Program Status: Active
Alberta-based: Yes
Organization Type: Academic Institutions & Researchers
Small to Medium Enterprise

Overview

 

Accelerating Innovations into CarE (AICE) – Tech for Healthy Aging, powered by AGE-WELL and Alberta Innovates, is a priority call offered through the AICE – Concepts and AICE – Validate funding programs to accelerate development and commercialization of technologies for healthy aging.

AGE-WELL is Canada’s Technology and Aging Network. Their mission is to develop a community of researchers, older adults, caregivers, partners and future leaders that accelerates the delivery of technology-based solutions to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians.

Alberta Innovates’ AICE – Concepts Program serves to accelerate early-stage health research and innovation that demonstrates high commercial potential towards proof of concept. The AICE – Validate Program supports innovators who already have a strong proof of concept to refine and validate their health technology and value proposition. See the respective program webpages for more details. 

Healthy Aging Priority 

The intent of this priority AICE funding program call is to advance and validate technologies that help older adults and caregivers achieve better health and quality of life as they age in the place of their choosing. AICE – Tech for Healthy Aging will support projects that align to Alberta Innovates’ AICE – Concepts or AICE – Validate programs AND:

  1. Advance novel technology-enabled solutions that enhance older adults’ lives and support healthy aging;
  2. Consider how to meet the needs of populations at risk and equity-deserving groups of older adults and care partners; and
  3. Align to at least one of AGE-WELL’s Challenge Areas below:
1. Supportive Homes & Communities 5. Mobility & Transportation
2. Health Care & Health Service Delivery 6. Healthy Lifestyles & Wellness 
3. Autonomy & Independence 7. Staying Connected
4. Cognitive Health & Dementia 8. Financial Wellness & Employment

Eligibility

Funding Available:

  • AICE – Concepts – Tech for Healthy Aging – up to $200,000 CAD; or
  • AICE – Validate – Tech for Healthy Aging – up to $300,000 CAD

Successful AICE – Concepts or AICE – Validate projects that align to the Healthy Aging priority will be co-funded 50/50 by Alberta Innovates and AGE-WELL. Note that successful applicants must enter into separate funding agreements with Alberta Innovates and AGE-WELL.  

Term: Up to 24 months 

Project terms can be up to 24 months; however, AGE-WELL’s portion of the funding must be used by March 31, 2026. Applicants should consider this when preparing their project budgets and timelines. 

Additional Benefits:

  • No matching requirements – cash or in-kind contributions from the Applicant and collaborators is highly encouraged but is not a requirement for the AICE – Tech for Healthy Aging priority call. 
  • Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) affiliated with successful projects will have access to AGE-WELL’s EPIC program.
  • Engagement with AGE-WELL, a pan-Canadian network that brings together researchers, non-profits, industry, government, care providers, older adults and caregivers.

See the attached supplemental program guide for more details on requirements for this priority program call.

How To Apply

Applicants apply through Alberta Innovates’ AICE – Concepts or AICE – Validate program.  

In the Full Application form, Applicants will indicate if they would like to be considered for the Healthy Aging priority call and attach the AICE – Tech for Healthy Aging Supplementary Application and Self Identification forms linked below.

Consult the relevant AICE program web pages and posted program guidelines for instructions and details on eligibility and program objectives.  The supplemental guide below provides additional specific requirements to be considered for the AICE – Tech for Healthy Aging priority. 

Application Deadline:

Intake forms – accepted now until October 11, 2024 to be invited to Full Application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an AICE Intake form as soon as possible and set up a meeting with Alberta Innovates to determine best program fit.  

Full Applications must be submitted by November 8, 2024, at 4 p.m. MST. 

Evaluation Process

Applications are reviewed by Alberta Innovates and AGE-WELL personnel, and external expert reviewers with business and clinical expertise. We evaluate submitted applications based on the alignment to the Healthy Aging priority call, as well as the standard AICE program criteria (e.g., strength of the market opportunity, competitiveness, advance-to-market plan, the project plan and potential economic impact for Alberta).

Program Resources

Contact

Bindi Ferguson

Director, Commercialization (Health Innovation)


Closed Intakes

AICE Concepts - Intake

The AICE Concepts program is designed to accelerate the conversion of research into innovation by applying digital and data-enabled solutions.

Closed

Registration closed: November 8, 2024 4:00 pm

AICE Validate - Intake

The AICE - Validate program supports Alberta researchers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to validate their product, market fit, business model, and regulatory path, accelerating commercialization of their health technologies into care.

Closed

Registration closed: November 8, 2024 4:00 pm

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