The Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) has unveiled a cross-border grants programme at an event at the University’s Jordanstown campus. 

The €600,000 project aims to improve policies and services for older people through cross-border research over the next 15 months and focuses on three themes: health; inequalities and policies and services

Suzanne Martin, who lectures at Ulster’s School of Life and Health Sciences, said: “The University of Ulster is already working on a number of ageing research projects and I am hoping that staff will apply for funding from CARDI to support cross faculty interagency work. 

“Research into ageing aims to have a practical, positive, impact on the lifestyles of older people and Ulster wants to be part of a future that can help people live comfortably, independently in their communities, supporting healthy ageing in place.”

More than one million people aged over 60 now live on the island of Ireland. By 2031, it is expected that Northern Ireland’s percentage of older people will increase to 28% and the Republic’s to 23%, while the number of people over the age of 80 is expected to triple by the same date. 

Paul McGill, Strategic Research Officer for CARDI, said: “It is great news that people are living longer but several issues arise. One key issue is to ensure older people have healthy, active lives not just longer lives. Research is needed on how we can meet the needs of older people and ensure they have a good quality of life. We need to build up our understanding of the process of ageing and look at the barriers to healthy living such as disability, poverty and isolation.” 

At the announcement, CARDI gave details of how applications can be put forward for the first €200,000 phase of funding. CARDI particularly welcomes research that brings together the many different academic disciplines dealing with ageing and older people as well as representatives of the public, private and voluntary sectors. 

For full details of the grants programme visit: www.cardi.ie/grantprogramme.ie.

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter