Funding:
Recruitment Incentive
What is this funding?
The Recruitment Incentive provides a financial incentive for employees represented by United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) who are relocating to take up a position at a rural or remote worksite in Alberta. Applications are submitted by the hiring manager on behalf of the employee.
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​APPLICATIONS OPEN APRIL 1, 2026​​
Applications are open on a rolling basis through March 2028, or while funds remain available.​
This funding is not retroactive. It applies to new hires as of April 1, 2026.
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Funding available:
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Remote worksites: up to $20,000 per year, for up to 2 years (maximum $40,000)
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Rural worksites: up to $15,000 per year, for up to 2 years (maximum $30,000)
A Return for Service Agreement (RFS) is required for each year of funding. Managers must indicate the employees choice of either a 1-year or 2-year year RFS at the time of the application. Employees who choose a 1-year RFS and wish to extend may be eligible to reapply for a second year, subject to available funding.
Funding is paid in lump sums every 6 months, until the end of the RFS.
Lump sum payments are considered taxable income and are subject to applicable federal and provincial taxes under Canadian tax law. Recipients are encouraged to consult a tax professional regarding the implications for their personal tax situation.
If the employee has also received the Relocation Expense Reimbursement Incentive, both RFS Agreements will run concurrently. If not, the Recruitment RFS stands alone.
Employees represented by UNA are obligated to notify their manager and the RCIF committee of any potential leave or departure that may affect their Return for Service Agreement.
Leave of absence (LOA)
Employees represented by UNA on an approved leave of absence remain eligible to apply for any RCIF funding stream.
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Applications must be submitted in accordance with the eligibility criteria for the relevant funding stream
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Funding will be released when the employee returns to their former eligible position, or as approved by the RCIF committee
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For funding streams with a Return for Service Agreement, the RFS start date begins the day the employee returns to work
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All Return for Service Agreements must begin no later than March 1, 2028
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LOA absences of 30 or more calendar days will extend the RFS end date by the corresponding number of calendar days
Eligibility
​​​Applicants must complete the eligibility screening before proceeding to the application, only those who meet the eligibility requirements will be directed to the full application.
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Applications must be submitted by a manager - employees cannot apply directly
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Contact information for both manager and employee
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Employee job title, employee number, employee union, and employment type
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Full-time, part-time, temporary, benefit-eligible casual (BECE) employees and Transitional Graduate Nurses (TGNs) are eligible. Casual employees are not eligible
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Disclose if the employee is on a Leave of Absence (Employees on an approved leave of absence may apply - the RFS begins upon return to the position)
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Provision of the functional cost centre (Managers should reach out to their local BAS representatives, and they would provide them with their functional centre. Employees should reach out to their managers.)
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The funding amount being requested and length of RFS
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Confirm the worksite health zone
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Confirm that the project is at a rural or remote worksite in Alberta. Urban centres are not eligible at this time. (see Rural/Remote/Urban Table)
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The employee must be new to the worksite and be a minimum of 100 km from previous their worksite
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Confirm that the employee is aware of the application and requirements
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The employee and manager must agree to sign a 1-year Return for Service Agreement
What do you need to apply?
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Current worksite information (location, address, department)
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Previous worksite information (location, address)
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Where the employee is being recruited from (another worksite, new graduate, another employer, another province, or another country)
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Employee start date
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Agreement to comply with all RCIF reporting requirements and complete an online survey
How to apply?
​Applications are submitted through the Good Grants portal. To get started, click the link below. You will be asked to register with the email address you want to use for your application. A verification code will be sent to that email to complete your registration.