6 Jan 2009

The Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) launched a grants programme on Tuesday 6th January which aims to help research play its role in planning for an ageing population.

It is inviting applications for grants to fund cross-border research or to create networks of academics and the public, private and voluntary sectors that will examine issues that arise out of an ageing society in Ireland, north and south to help improve policies and services for older people.

The grants will encourage ground-breaking studies that bring together different perspectives, sectors and academic disciplines.

CARDI will be allocating €200,000 to the first call, which closes on 9 March, and will be following up with two further calls.

“Ireland’s population is ageing,” said CARDI Director, Dr Roger O’Sullivan. “One million people aged 60 and above now live on the island of Ireland and the largest increase in coming years will be in the older old e.g. the number aged 80+ is expected to triple by 2031.

“But while life expectancy has increased, it is not clear that life without disability and ill health has increased to the same extent. A growing number of older people may be facing the combined effects of a decline in physical and mental function, isolation and poverty.

“The CARDI grants programme will stimulate research into the urgent and complex and personal issue of ageing. It plans to promote co-operation among medical specialists, technologists, social scientists, psychologists and many others to create a society in which older people can lead long, healthy, active lives,” Dr O’Sullivan added.

More information about the grants, including an application form that can be completed on-line, is on the website www.cardi.ie/grantprogramme or email info@cardi.ie

If you would like a briefing meeting on your campus or for your organisation, we will be happy to make a presentation and answer questions. We are particularly interested in meetings involving people from different disciplines and sectors (eg academic, statutory, voluntary and community). Please email info@cardi.ie or ring our Belfast office: 0044 28 9069 0066.

Remember, if you haven’t already done so, you can register your research activities and interests on our website: www.cardi.ie