Harper Government Supports New Research in Seniors Care at Conestoga College

KITCHENER, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 9, 2012) - The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today announced the Harper Government's investment in Conestoga College's applied research program to help develop new care services to address the needs of Canada's aging population.

"The work of the research chair will be of value to post-secondary institutions involved in training health professionals and long-term care providers as well as policy-makers who develop strategies to improve care and services for seniors," said Minister of State Goodyear. "Our government encourages colleges to work with local partners, transferring their expertise to benefit their communities."

Conestoga College will be awarded $800,000 over five years under the College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program. Dr. Veronique Boscart, chairholder of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)/Schlegel Industrial Research Chair for Colleges in seniors care, will work with Conestoga's School of Health and Life Sciences and Community Services, in partnership with Schlegel Villages, to help advance post-secondary education research as well as services for seniors.

The objective of the CCI Program is to increase innovation at the community and regional level by enabling Canadian colleges to work more closely with local companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. The CCI Program is managed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in collaboration with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and CIHR.

"These investments provide colleges with access to the people, resources and tools they need to be at the forefront of innovation," said Suzanne Fortier, President of NSERC. "The ultimate goal is to create sustainable partnerships that will help sharpen our innovative edge and have a positive impact on the bottom line of our country and industry."

NSERC is a federal agency that helps make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for all Canadians. The agency supports some 30,000 post-secondary students and post-doctoral fellows in their advanced studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding more than 12,000 professors every year and fosters innovation by encouraging about 2,000 Canadian companies to participate and invest in post-secondary research projects.

CIHR is the Government of Canada's health research investment agency. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and enable its translation into better health, more effective health services and products, and a stronger Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 14,100 health researchers and trainees across Canada.

More information on the CCI Program is available in the backgrounder.

Backgrounder

College and Community Innovation Program

The College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program is managed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

The objective of the CCI Program is to increase innovation at the community and regional level by enabling Canadian colleges to work more closely with local companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. The program supports applied research and collaborations that facilitate commercialization, technology transfer, and the adaptation and adoption of new technologies.

There are six different grants available under the CCI Program:

1. Innovation Enhancement (IE) Grants
   
   
2. Applied Research and Development (ARD) Grants
   
   
3. Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) Grants
   
   
4. Technology Access Centre (TAC) Grants
   
   
5. College-University Idea to Innovation (CU-I2I) Grants
   
   
6. Industrial Research Chairs for Colleges (IRCC) Grants
   
   

Projects are awarded funding following a rigorous peer review process that includes an assessment by the CCI Program Review Committee, which is composed of select members of the Private Sector Advisory Board.

For more information on the CCI Program and its grants, please visit the NSERC website (www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Professors-Professeurs/RPP-PP/Info-Info_eng.asp).

About the CIHR/Schlegel IRCC

Under the CCI Program, Conestoga College was awarded $800,000 over five years for the CIHR/Schlegel IRCC in seniors care. IRCC Grants support applied research leaders and the development of business-focused applied research programs at colleges. These grants help colleges develop new, or significantly enhance existing, applied research efforts in areas that meet local or regional socio-economic needs. IRCC Grants range from $100,000 to $200,000 annually and are offered in five-year terms.

About the Chairholder

Dr. Veronique Boscart, chairholder of the CIHR/Schlegel IRCC in seniors care, will work with Conestoga's School of Health and Life Sciences and Community Services, in partnership with Schlegel Villages, to identify practices to improve the quality of care for seniors. Schlegel Villages are long-term care facilities and communities that provide assisted care and independent living options to seniors. Another objective of Dr. Boscart's five-year applied research project is to develop training in seniors care for health professionals and long-term care providers. Her research work will also be beneficial to policy-makers who develop strategies aimed at improving care and services for seniors.