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.
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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 April 1, 2026. Depending on the type of funding, applications are submitted by either the manager on behalf of UNA-represented employees, or by the employee directly. Visit each funding page for more information.
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Leave of Absence (LOA)
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Employees on an approved leave of absence remain eligible to apply for any RCIF funding stream. For details on how a leave of absence 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 to see qualifying worksites.
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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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 $5,000 – $10,000 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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Before applying, please visit each funding page for eligibility and application details.