The AGE-NT network development project

The national innovation network Age and Ageing in Society (AGE-NT) is being established on behalf of the Schweizerische Hochschulkonferenz (Swiss conference of higher-education institutions). In March 2017, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) granted project-related funding amounting to almost CHF 4 million, which are matched by contributions from the participating universities of applied sciences and universities.

The aim of the project is to facilitate a structured approach to consolidating research into the topic of age and ageing, which is currently uncoordinated, with research projects competing against each other. The project therefore aims to establish sustainable structures for research activities, thus creating national and international added value for research and practice in Switzerland.

The project not only comprises research and development projects in the following four areas of competence/focus areas:

• Active and Assisted Living (AAL)
• Living with dementia
• Models for the 45+ labour market
• Living and housing in old age

It also places great emphasis on developing and establishing sustainable educational opportunities, and on supporting young academics with doctoral colloquia.

The project aims to transform the AGE-NT network into an independent institution that will no longer be dependent on federal funds by 2021.

The project will run from 2017 to 2020.