Academia Sinica Healthy Longevity Grand Challenge Competition

BACKGROUND

Improved medical care has helped people live longer and more fruitful lives. However, a longer lifespan is not always a blessing, and at times, longevity can be a burden if not accompanied by good health. Currently, 8.5% of the world’s population (617 million) are ≥ 65 years old. By 2050, this proportion is estimated to more than double, reaching 1.6 billion. The number of people ≥ 80 years old is expected to more than triple between 2015 and 2050.

Taiwan is projected to become a “super-aged” society in 2026, with more than 20% of the population ≥ 65 years old. By 2065, for every 10 people in Taiwan, 4 will be ≥ 65 years old, and among the 4, one will be ≥ 85 years old. Therefore, in Taiwan, the pressing issue is to ensure a future healthy aging process so that the economy and societal structure can remain stable and flourish. At the current pace, the aging of the population is poised to impose a significant constraint on economies, health systems, and social structures worldwide. Innovative knowledges and technologies are disparately needed to help transform how we age and to ensure good health, functionality, and productivity when we age.

Healthy Longevity Grand Challenge Competition

To help realize and improve healthy aging around the world, National Academy of Medicine (NAM) and the global Collaborators, including Academia Sinica, have developed a unique model built on the foundation of a “Catalyst Award” to attract bold and transformative ideas. After this initial phase, “Accelerator Awards” will advance successful pilot proposals and prototypes for proof-of-concept explorations, followed by the major inducement “Grant Prizes” for significant innovations.

Aims and timeline:
  1. Catalyst Awards of $50,000 USD (~1.5 M TWD)/yr for bold new ideas [2019-2222]
  2. Accelerator Awards of up to $500,000 USD (~15 M TWD)/yr for proof-of-concept [2020-2223]
  3. Grand Prize(s) of up to $5 million USD (~150 M TWD) from NAM raised funds for breakthrough innovations that will conclude the Challenge [2223-2225]