Policy Challenge
The Policy Challenge is an education program run by AGE-WELL and the AGE-WELL National Innovation Hub – APPTA. It is a unique opportunity for AGE-WELL trainees to work closely with policy experts and learn first-hand how research ideas become policy options for implementation at a provincial, territorial, or national level.
Each year, policy priority questions are identified by government stakeholders from across Canadian jurisdictions. Applicants choose a policy priority and continue to spend the duration of the program working closely with APPTA’s team and the larger government stakeholder network for the development of their own policy report. Participants acquire policy writing skills, invaluable networking opportunities, as well as a relevant, impactful knowledge product to add to their portfolio upon program completion.

2023-2024 Policy Challenge Recipients
We are very excited to announce our two policy challenge winners for 2024-2025.
Mir Nabila Ashraf is a master’s student at University of Regina in the Centre on Aging and Health. Mir will be working on the topic: What are strategies to support government in improving access to digitally available health information for older adults for chronic disease management?
Mattea Kott is an undergraduate student in Social Sciences at Western University. Mattea will be working on: What are the primary factors that contribute to premature transitions to LTC and what strategies or solutions exist to avoid this?
We can’t wait to work with them on their policy reports and much more.
Mir Nabila Ashraf

Mattea Kott

Previous participants

Bryan Hong

Dorra Rakia Allegue

Lyne Ouellet

Ashley-Ann Marcotte

Isaac A. Adedeji

Adebusola Adekoya

Amika Shah

Natasha Gallant

Alisa Grigorovich

Ann Marie Corrado

Amélie Gauthier-Beaupré

Jonathan Lai

Andrew Magnaye
“The Visions for Change Policy Challenge Award provided me with an exciting opportunity to apply both my research and public policy skills, while working closely with policy experts at all three levels of government as well as staff at AGE-WELL and the APPTA national innovation hub. As a result of the mentorship and support that I received, I was able to successfully lead a policy report that will inform evidence-based decision making related to housing options for seniors with disabilities who wish to independently age in place. I would recommend this challenge to all AGE-WELL trainees as this educational experience is unparalleled!”
– Ann Marie Corrado