2014 Health Technology Innovation Grants

CFN and the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science at Ryerson University partnered in September 2014 to provide a unique funding opportunity for research scientists and engineers developing technologies that can be used to better the lives of seriously ill, older adults living with frailty.

The Health Technology Innovation Grant Program (HTIG) funds projects of up to 12 months in length and up to a maximum of $20,000 each.

The specific objective of this program is to fund proof-of-concept studies, the creation of a technology, or advance the development of an existing technology to benefit the care or quality of life for seriously ill, older adults living with frailty.  CFN defines technology in a comprehensive manner to include drugs, devices, digital media, knowledge products, improvement strategies or tools used in the diagnosis, treatment or palliation of seriously ill, older adults living with frailty.

Projects Funded

For more details on any of the projects, please click on the project names below:

Tecla Shield 3.0 (HTIG 2014-21)

Principal Investigator:

Deborah Fels, PhD, PEng — Ryerson University

The eDosette study: Optimizing medication use and safety in community dwelling seniors (HTIG 2014-17)

Principal Investigators:

David Chan, MD, CCFP, MSc, FCFP — McMaster University

Kiska Colwill, BScPharm — Hamilton Health Sciences

Michelle Howard, PhD, MSc, BA — McMaster University

Dee Mangin, MBChB, DPH, FRNZCGP — McMaster University

David Price, BSc, MD, CCFP, FCFP — McMaster University

Henry Siu, MSc, MD, CCFP — McMaster University

Web-Based Videoconferencing (WBVC) for Rural Palliative Care Consultation in the Home (HTIG 2014-10)

Principal Investigator:

Linda Read Paul, RN, MN, CHPCN(C) — University of Calgary

An innovation for relocating a toilet to ease access for the frail elderly at home (HTIG 2014-07)

Principal Investigators:

Tilak Dutta, PhD, PEng — Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network

Geoff Fernie, PhD, PEng — Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network

Wearable Caregiver Posture Coaching Feedback System (HTIG 2014-11)

Principal Investigator:

Tilak Dutta, PhD, PEng — Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network

Using mobile health applications (mHealth) to support communication with frail elderly people in long-term care (HTIG 2014-20)

Principal Investigators:

Jeff Small, PhD — University of British Columbia

Alex Mihailidis, PhD, MASc, PEng — University of Toronto

About the Application and Review Process

The 2014 Health Technology Innovation Grant Program Call for Applications launched in September 2014. A pre-application Indication of Intent was required by October 17, 2014, and only those projects that submitted this Intent were eligible to submit full applications by  November 17, 2014. 17 applications were received and adjudicated by a Special Scientific Review Committee.  Of these, eight were deemed to be of high scientific merit and fit with CFN’s mission and priorities.  Six of the eight proposals were selected for full funding without conditions. Successful applicants were notified in early February 2015.