Alberta to Fund Projects Converting Modern Technology into Better Healthcare

Alberta is seeking to support local innovation within the healthcare field.

Alberta Innovates is offering funding for local projects focused on research commercialization and the digitization of the health sector.

“The competition for federal funding can be fierce, and even the most promising projects can score well but remain unfunded,” reads a statement from the Province’s innovation arm.

The region’s solution is the LevMax-Health Program.

Now in its sixth round, the LevMax-Health Program supports researchers at Alberta post-secondary institutions with competitive but under-funded applications.

The last round of funding, revealed earlier this year, saw over $7 million earmarked for 11 projects based at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary.

For example, University of Alberta surgeon Adam Kinnaird is working on a trial that compares different cancer screening technologies such as high resolution micro-ultrasound and multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging.

The LevMax-Health program is managed through the Health Innovation Business Unit within Alberta Innovates, which is on a mission to enhance the wellbeing of people by cultivating an ecosystem that excels at converting research and technology into superior care.

LevMax-Health’s sixth intake is open and will accept applications until August 28th.

Alberta also announced in May that it investing $10 million over three years to advance artificial intelligence and data-driven health solutions in the region through the Health Innovation Lab, a new initiative delivered by the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute.

“Alberta has an enormous opportunity to bring together world-class medical innovators with the world-leading AI expertise at Amii,” believes Nate Glubish, who serves as Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation.

The Health Innovation Lab will enable up to 12 projects annually that harness Alberta’s AI expertise to improve patient outcomes and health system efficiency.

“Together, they can develop new technologies that reduce wait times, expand the capacity of our health care system, and deliver new therapies, diagnostics, and treatments that save lives and strengthen care for Albertans,” Glubish stated.

The Health Innovation Lab is delivered in collaboration with the ministries of Primary and Preventative Health Services and Hospital and Surgical Health Services.