This return of service bursary, sponsored by Alberta Health, provides support for family medicine residents at the University of Alberta or the University of Calgary, who commit to practice in rural or remote areas of Alberta after completing their residency.
Value
The bursary offers two funding streams:
- Remote stream - $200,000 for a three-year return of service commitment in eligible remote communities with an isolation point of 25 or higher, as identified under the Rural Remote Northern Program (RRNP).
- Rural stream - $125,000 for a three-year return of service commitment in a community, or any combination of communities, identified as eligible under the RRNP.
Bursary recipients can choose to commit to and stay in a single community, move between communities or practice as locums, as long as they maintain a minimum patient panel and practice in communities eligible under their bursary stream.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- be in their final year of an undergraduate medical program and matched to a family medicine residency program at the University of Alberta or University of Calgary;
- be currently completing a family medicine residency at the University of Alberta or University of Calgary, regardless of their year of study, including those graduating in June 2025; and
- be willing to sign a Return of Service Agreement committing to practice in eligible rural or remote communities for three years. The Return of Service must be completed with within five years of completing residency.
Note: Medical residents who completed their undergraduate medical education in other provinces or internationally are eligible for this return of service bursary.
How to Apply
Applications will open in early December 2024. Please check back for updates.
Contact
For questions or more information, email: rural-health@gov.ab.ca.
Selection Process
The bursary program provides funding for family medicine residents in the form of a non-repayable bursary if you commit to three-years of practice in eligible rural or remote communities in Alberta upon completing your residency. Applications will be assessed for applicant eligibility.