CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY AND AGING RELEASES GUIDELINES FOR $500,000 MOBILE Health Diffusion Grants Program

Grants Will Help Maintain Independence of Older Adults or Delay Their Transition to Higher Levels of Care Settings through Use of mHealth Services

 OAKLAND, Calif., Feb. 28, 2011  – The Center for Technology and Aging (techandaging.org) has released grant application guidelines for a $500,000 Mobile Health (mHealth) Diffusion Grants Program. Up to six one-year grants will be made to organizations successfully proposing programs that focus on delivery of health-related services to patients, clinicians and caregivers through mHealth technology platforms on cellular or wireless networks.

            Letters of Intent are due 12 p.m., PST, April 5, 2011.

            Applicants must have an evidence-based or a theory-based model underlying the project. The areas of mHealth technology-enabled services that can be addressed in this program include medication compliance, chronic disease monitoring, safety monitoring, access to health information, and related areas. Mobile technologies can include, but are not limited to, tablets, cell phones (hardware and software), smartphones, mobile-enabled diagnostic devices, or devices with mobile alert systems. The health care problem selected by applicants must be significant, widespread, and addressable by mHealth technologies.

            The majority of projects (up to four of six, including consortia) should demonstrate direct or indirect benefits to older Californians.

            An optional applicant conference call is scheduled for March 15, 2011 (please see Web site for details). Invitations to submit full proposals will be announced April 13, 2011, and will be due May 13, 2011.  The expected start date is August 1, 2011.  Conference call and application information is at http://www.techandaging.org/grants_home.html. 

            The Grant Application Guide is available for download at http://www.techandaging.org/mHealth_Grant_Guidelines.pdf.

            The Center for Technology and Aging (techandaging.org) supports the rapid adoption and diffusion of technologies that enhance independence and improve home and community-based care for older adults.

Contact: Val Steinmetz; vsteinmetz@techandaging.org, 510.285.5685