Project 458401

Digital health technologies and services can play a critical role in enabling older adults to extend their ability to age-in-place by reducing the burden on our health systems, while also stimulating economic growth and job creation. The Early Professionals, Inspired Careers in AgeTech (EPIC-AT) Health Research Training Platform will create a pipeline of highly qualified leaders in research, government, not-for-profit, and industry who can accelerate the delivery of digital health solutions for older Canadians with complex health needs and their caregivers to improve their health, wellbeing, and quality of life. EPIC-AT will establish a value-added 1-year, competitive, Fellowship program for a minimum 127 full-time graduate students, postdoctoral fellows (PDFs) and early career researchers (ECRs) based at Canadian institutions. Platform participants will engage in 6 novel training offerings that span research through to design and implementation and evaluation of digital health solutions in the AgeTech sector: 1. Annual Capacity Building Meeting for orientation, workshops, and masterclasses 2. New Online Courses on the Aging Process, Ethics, Policy & AgeTech, and Understanding Innovation; 3. Multi-sectoral Mentorship through a structured mentorship program; 4. Holistic Webinars and Seminars throughout the year on professional and technical topics; 5. Transdisciplinary Capstone Project with other platform participants; and 6. Experiential Education (including internships and exchanges). Platform programming will be developed and delivered by 11 principal applicants, 19 co-applicant mentors, and staff from 30 collaborating organizations. EPIC-AT's training approach and Canada-wide reach offers a unique value proposition to graduate students, PDFs, and ECRs based at Canadian institutions.