Since its creation in 1989, the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program has successfully brought together the best minds from many disciplines and sectors in efforts to solve major social, economic or health issues for Canadians.
The program supports large-scale, collaborative research networks that harness the creativity and inventiveness of Canadian health, natural and social scientists as well as engineers. Funded networks integrate expertise from academia, industry, government and not-for-profit organizations in a shared effort to generate and implement solutions to problems. In 2013–14, partner organizations of the networks added $63.4 million of financial and in-kind support to the funding from the NCE.
International acclaim has led other countries, including Australia, South Africa and some in the European Union, to incorporate the NCE model into their programs.
The NCE program currently supports 14 research networks.
Living independently and safely at home is widely recognized as an effective way for seniors to maintain their quality of life, and it also saves health care costs. AGE-WELL, housed in one of the most advanced rehabilitation research centres in the world, will use advanced technology such as mobile communications, smart sensors and robotics to help achieve this goal. Through a collaborative approach that engages end-users, industry partners, not-for-profit organizations and researchers, the network will identify the needs of aging adults and find ways to reduce the burden on their caregivers. The research program will also study the social, economic, ethical and policy challenges presented by the increasing use of technology. In addition to supporting independence and safety, this work will boost Canada's competitiveness in designing and implementing technology that optimizes the well-being of older people.
AGE-WELL collaborates with the following partners:
