The New Brunswick Innovation Foundation has unveiled the new format of its biennial R3 event, extending the celebration of New Brunswick research to three days for the first time.

The conference, running from April 10 to 12, will also be the first R3 event that will have a theme. Given the aging population in the region, the organizers have chosen the theme of Innovations in Aging.

“Aging is a topic that poses a unique urgency for our province,” said NBIF Chief Executive Calvin Milbury. “The opportunities are endless for innovations in care options and support systems. We want to get people talking and making connections. Collaboration is the key to solving such a complex challenge.”

The three-day event starts on Tuesday, April 10, at the Frederiction Playhouse. The first night will showcase talks from New Brunswick researchers foucsing on aging populations.

On Wednesday and Thursday, there will be a conference at the Fredericton Crowne Plaza that will feature a keynote address, success stories, and workshops for government, industry and researchers.

The conference will wrap up on Thursday evening at the Fredericton Convention Centre with the R3 awards gala. Ashton Applewhite, author of This Chair Rocks and an expert on ageism, will present the keynote speech at the gala that focuses on themes of age and aging.

The R3 awards, which are now in their 10th year, will honour five New Brunswick researchers who specialize in innovations around aging and for the aging population. Three of the five honourees will receive $50,000 in NBIF research funding, and one public choice recipient will win $15,000.

Disclosure: NBIF is a client of Entrevestor