Summer Program in Aging (SPA)

Aim/Objectives

The annual Summer Program in Aging (SPA) is designed to offer graduate students and post-doctoral fellows involved in research relevant to aging, and those doing post-graduate clinical training that includes a program of research in aging, an advanced research training program that crosses disciplines, sectors, institutions and geography.

SPA 2012 will have an applied focus and the hosts have identified aging and technology as the key theme:

  • Applied gerontology: emphasis on well-being, enablement, and social participation rather than sickness, disability and care;
  • Technology development: creating and implementing real-world technology solutions for independent living;
  • Aging in a technological world: understanding technology as a social process;
  • Innovative methods in applied gerontology;
  • Multidisciplinary working and knowledge transfer.

Participants will have an opportunity to:

  1. Gain an understanding of processes critical to academic success, through plenary and practical sessions.
  2. Examine multidisciplinary collaboration, grant preparation, peer review, communication, knowledge transfer, professionalism and ethics in the context of research on aging.
  3. Network with other emerging researchers in aging and with academic mentors from Canada and abroad.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • be enrolled full time or part time in a Master's or PhD program or hold a postdoctoral fellowship at a Canadian University; or be doing post-graduate clinical training that includes a program of research.
  • be Canadian citizens or have landed immigrant status (a few positions may be open to trainees at Canadian institutions who do not meet either criteria);
  • have research interests, a thesis subject or a post-doctoral project in the field of aging, or with an aging component; and
  • not have attended any of the previous Summer Programs in Aging funded by CIHR Institute of Aging. The curricula of CIHR-sponsored summer institutes vary. If you have previously attended such a program, please contact us with program information so we can determine your eligibility for SPA.

Past Summer Programs in Aging

SPA, inaugurated in 2006, rotates annually among five regions in Canada: Quebec, British Columbia, Ontario, Maritimes, Prairies. The Institute of Aging collaborates with a local partner to plan and execute the program

  • SPA 2006: Jouvence (Quebec), June 5-8. In collaboration with FormSAV Réseau de formation interdisciplinaire en recherche sur la santé et le vieillissement)
  • SPA 2007: Harrison Hot Springs (British Columbia), June 4-7. In collaboration with BCNAR (British Columbia Network on Aging Research)
  • SPA 2008: Honey Harbour (Ontario), June 2-5. In collaboration with CIHR-IA STIHR (Strategic Research Training Program in Communications and Social Interactions in Healthy Aging)
  • SPA 2009: White Point (Nova Scotia), June 8-11. In collaboration with the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging
  • SPA 2010: Jasper (Alberta) June 14-17.In collaboration with the Alberta Centre on Aging
  • SPA 2011: Bromont (Quebec) May 29-June 2 in partnership with the Quebec Network for Research on Aging.

SPA 2012

Click here for a detailed description and the Call for Applications for the 2012 Summer Program in Aging (SPA 2012) that will take place in partnership with theSimon Fraser University - Gerontology Research Centre on Vancouver Island from May 6 to 11, 2012.