Summer Program in Aging (SPA 2012) - Call for Applications

May 6-11 2012
Tigh Na Mara Resort, Parksville, British Columbia

We invite applications from research trainees at the Masters, Doctoral and Postdoctoral levels, who are studying aging or technology as it relates to human aging. Also invited to apply are those doing post-graduate clinical training that includes a program of research in aging.

Aim

The aim of the Summer Program in Aging (SPA), offered by the CIHR Institute of Aging, is to provide a program of advanced research training that crosses disciplines, sectors, institutions, and geography.

SPA 2012 Objectives

Through plenary and practical sessions, to offer participants from different disciplines an opportunity to:

  1. Gain an understanding of processes critical to career success, in the context of applied multidisciplinary research on aging using technology as an example, including:
    • collaboration across academic disciplines and sectors
    • grant preparation and peer review
    • academic publication
    • communication and knowledge transfer
    • professionalism and ethics
  2. Through cutting-edge research presentations and group work, learn about changes associated with aging and their alignment with technology development, including:
    • Key concepts and ideas in applied gerontology- emphasis on well-being, enablement, and social participation rather than sickness, disability and care
    • Participatory and user-driven research- how the users of services and technologies can participate in the design and execution or research and how the user voice can effectively drive applied research
    • Developing practical solutions for older people- systematic approach to conceptualisation, design, development, implementation and evaluation of applied solutions
  3. Learn and collaborate with peers from different disciplines, forming a network of visionary, scientists prepared to address the complex issues associated with aging.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • be enrolled full time in a Master's program; full or part time in a PhD program or be in the first two years of 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 will be open to trainees at Canadian institutions who do not meet either criterion.);
  • have research interests, a thesis subject or a post-doctoral project in the field of aging, or with an aging component, and an explicit interest in aging and technology;
  • be committed to attending the entire Summer Program in Aging (from May 6 to May 11, 2012);
  • not have attended any of the previous Summer Programs funded by CIHR or the 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;
  • have a commitment from the applicant's academic supervisor to provide a $300 registration fee from his/her research funds if the application is accepted.

Application Procedure

Applicants must complete and submit the on-line application form by March 15, 2012. In addition to the on-line form, the on-line application requests an attached CV (maximum 3 pages; full CIHR CVs, or Common CV forms will also be accepted).

Letter of Recommendation

A letter of recommendation is also required from your thesis supervisor or post-doctoral mentor/supervisor, including his/her assessment of your potential to continue with research in aging, and with a commitment to provide the $300 registration fee from his/her research funds if the application is accepted. This must be e-mailed from the supervisor's own Internet account, by March 15, 2012, to Bobbi Symes at bsymes@sfu.ca.

Supervisors may write letters of recommendation for up to two students, on the understanding that only one trainee per supervisor is likely to be selected to participate in SPA 2012.

Selection Procedure

An application review committee will select a limited number of students, based on eligibility criteria, research interests, range of disciplinary backgrounds, letters of support, and institutional distribution. All applicants will be notified of the committee's decisions by March 30, 2012.

Expenses

The Summer Program in Aging will cover the following costs:

  • Travel - lowest price economy return airline ticket or bus transportation from the applicant's home town or academic institution to the SPA 2012 location, including ground transfers. Local participants who prefer to drive will be reimbursed for mileage provided the cost does not exceed that of lowest economy airfare or bus transportation.
  • Accommodation - will be arranged and paid for by the organizers of the 2012 Summer Program in Aging for four nights (Sunday, May 6 through Wednesday, May 11, 2012).
  • Meals - three meals per day will be provided for the full duration of the Program.
  • Participants will be responsible for any additional meals/transportation/hotel and incidental expenses.

Deadline for submission of applications including CV and letter of recommendation: March 15, 2012.

For more information contact:

Bobbi Symes, Development Manager, Gerontology Research Centre
Email: bsymes@sfu.ca
Telephone: 778-782-5210