Rural Capacity Investment Fund (RCIF)
Supporting Rural Nurses Across Alberta
$90 Million | 2026 - 2028
What is the RCIF?
The Rural Capacity Investment Fund (RCIF) is a fund created through the Collective Agreement between UNA and signatory Employers. It is jointly run by employer and union representatives to support nurses working in rural and remote areas of Alberta that are difficult-to-recruit to.
With 22.5 million each fiscal year until March 2028, RCIF helps address the challenges of recruiting and keeping nurses in these communities. New funding priorities and initiatives are being considered and will introduced as they become available. We encourage you to check the website regularly for updates.
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The RCIF is established under Letter of Understanding #23 of the 2024 - 2028 Collective Agreement. See attached.
The RCIF Committee
The Fund is managed by a joint committee of five employer representatives and five union representatives, including Covenant Health. A neutral facilitator supports the group, and decisions are made by consensus.
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The Committee is responsible for:
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Deciding how funding is divided each year
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Reviewing and approving applications
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Checking whether incentives are working
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Responding to new recruitment and retention challenges
Applications open April 1, 2026
Funding is available starting April 1, 2026. Depending on the type of funding, applications are submitted either by a manager on behalf of UNA-represented employees or directly by the employee. Please visit each funding page for more information.
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The committee continuously reviews funding priorities and initiatives and will introduce additional funding opportunities as they become available. We encourage you to check the website regularly for updates.
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Absences ​
Employees on absences greater than 30 days, excluding vacations remain eligible to apply for any RCIF funding stream. For details on how anabsence may affect your application, please visit the relevant funding stream page.​
​Eligible worksites and zones
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The Committee is focused primarily on rural and remote worksites in Alberta's North, Central, and South Zones. The Committee may consider initiatives at rural sites in the Edmonton and Calgary Zones.
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The following urban sites are not eligible at this time but may be considered in the future:
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Lethbridge
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Medicine Hat
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Red Deer
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Grande Prairie
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Fort McMurray
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Calgary and Edmonton metro areas are excluded​
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Please refer to the Rural/Remote/Urban Table for a list of qualifying sites. As this table may not include every location, if your worksite is not listed, you must indicate your worksite in your application. Submissions will be reviewed by the committee.
What funding is available?
Five types of funding are available starting April 1, 2026. Visit each funding page to find out if you are eligible and how to apply.
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NEW! Retention Recognition Incentive — For rural and remote nurses who have provided service at eligible sites. $5,000 - $10,000 depending on years of rural service
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Project Initiative Funding — For rural and remote worksites - group projects that improve recruitment or retention​
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Relocation Expense Reimbursement — For nurses who relocate to take a position at an eligible rural and remote worksite. $7,500 – $12,500 depending on distance
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Recruitment Incentive — For nurses hired in rural and remote positions at eligible worksites.
Up to $15,000/year (rural) or $20,000/year (remote), 1 or 2 year agreement
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Professional Development — For rural and remote worksites or groups. Team learning and skill-building. Up to $10,000 per program
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Individual Education and Tuition — For individual nurses working at rural and remote worksites pursuing further education or credentials. Up to $5,000 per employee
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Casual Recognition Fund — Coming Soon!
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The RCIF committee recognizes the important role that casual employees play in rural and remote communities across Alberta. The committee is currently developing a dedicated Casual Recognition Fund to acknowledge the contributions of casual UNA members working at eligible rural and remote worksites.
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Details about eligibility, payment amounts, and how to apply will be announced once finalized. Watch this page for updates.
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Before applying, please visit each funding page for eligibility and application details.