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Background on The Initiative on Aging

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
College of Applied Life Studies
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
College of Medicine
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

The Colleges of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences: Applied Life Studies; Liberal Arts and Sciences; Medicine; and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign wish to establish a cooperative and mutually beneficial collaboration to develop the Initiative in Aging.

Vision Statement of the Initiative in Aging: Through cutting edge research and discovery programs, effective learning experiences for students and relevant outreach efforts that engage policy makers, industry leaders and consumers, this initiative will contribute to the knowledge of the aging process its impact on the individual, and on society; and accordingly 1) improve the quality of life for the aging population; and 2) reduce healthcare costs for aging persons.

Program Description: The Initiative in Aging will allow the Colleges of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences; Applied Life Studies; Liberal Arts and Sciences; Medicine; and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, to Capitalize on comparative advantages and emerging opportunities. The Initiative will focus existing faculty and program strengths in combination with strategic new faculty hires recruited under the Faculty Excellence Program to establish a premier research, teaching/learning and outreach program in aging research.

Program Administration: The program shall be housed in the College of Applied Life Studies and related to the legislatively established Office of Gerontology and Aging Studies (University of Illinois Gerontology Committee Act 110 ILCS 340/3). An Executive Committee shall consist of John Erdman (ACES), Wojtek J. Chodzko-Zajko (Chair - ALS), Paul Gold (Med), Art Kramer (LAS), and Warwick Arden (Vet. Med). The Executive Committee will provide an annual report including copies of publications, grant applications, and a budgetary summary. Member Colleges shall integrate faculty searches to build expertise within the Initiative in Aging. Additionally, the colleges will cooperate to coordinate Faculty Excellence recruitment. The Colleges of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences; Applied Life Studies; Liberal Arts and Sciences; Medicine; and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign agree to engage in research projects that may evolve as a result of this agreement. All research programs must conform to all applicable policies and procedures of the University of Illinois, including the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee policies where applicable.

Publications and Publicity: It is understood by the parties that participating faculty of the Initiative in Aging shall have the right to publish or otherwise disclose the results of work preformed under this agreement through appropriate scientific and scholarly meetings or publication; provided; however, that any research that is funded in whole or in part by the Initiative shall be designated as such. It is expected and intended that the Institute in Aging's name and identity will be used in an appropriate manner and context in connection with the activity of its faculty and staff relating to this agreement.

Research: Grants or sponsored research funds awarded for work to be conducted under the direction of the participating colleges will be governed by an independent research subcontract and indirect cost recovery will accrue to the respective college(s) in proportion to this participation in the funded activity. Given that the colleges have contributed start up funds, 20% of ICR funds generated will accrue to the Initiative as a source for ongoing renewal. The executive committee will administer such funds.

Education: Participating colleges recognize and agree that the program formed under this agreement may service to enhance their respective educational purposes by providing potential training sites for all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. The parties agree to explore such opportunities as appropriate.

New Technology: If patentable discoveries result from this agreement, all parties agree to enter into negotiations in good faith on the distribution of appropriate rights to the discovery.