The Institute for Life Course & Aging at the University of Toronto conducts research and provides graduate education on the life course and aging. A Life Course Perspective to more closely resemble the processes of aging

Since its beginnings as a Program in Gerontology (1979-1989), the first of its kind in Canada, the Institute for the Life Course and Aging has provided the University of Toronto with its only interdisciplinary venue for the study of ageing. The Institute has three aims as follows:

The first aim of the Institute is to conduct applied interdisciplinary research on aging from a life course perspective which sets the Institute apart from most existing centres and institutes on ageing. Using a bio-psycho-social approach, the Institute focuses on the processes of aging and population aging. All of the research is competitive and funded by national bodies in Canada: CIHR, SSHRC, NCE, HRSDC.

A second aim is to provide graduate education in aging and the life course through two interrelated collaborative program options, one in aging and one in palliative care. The program is open to students in all faculties who graduate in their own departments with a specialty in aging. Post-doctoral training of students from around the world and national and international visiting professors complete this program.

The third aim of the Institute is knowledge transfer which is achieved through research seminars that are open to the public, through online mini-series on aging for local and national professional communities in Canada and through the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly, a national centre of excellence and knowledge transfer network with over 2000 Canadian members and 10 member countries.

The Institute is administratively housed in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto and operates through an executive committee, advisory committee, awards committee, research/management committee, program committee, and a general assembly of faculty including 18 degree programs and 13 faculties, 27 departments and 60 cross-appointed, emeritus, and associate faculty members. The faculties represent a wide range from all of the health faculties through to music, law, education, social work and divinity. The Institute has educational and research partnerships with many universities in Canada and abroad, federal, provincial and municipal governments, a host of health and social care agencies, national agencies devoted to aging and business firms.