FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about the RCIF? Find answers below. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, visit the relevant funding page for full details.
About the RCIF
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. With $90 million available through March 30, 2028, the RCIF helps address the challenges of recruiting and keeping nurses in these communities.
Who runs the RCIF?
A joint committee of five employer representatives and five union representatives — including Covenant Health — oversees the Fund. A neutral facilitator supports the group, and all decisions are made by consensus. The Committee decides how funding is divided, reviews and approves applications, checks whether incentives are working, and responds to new recruitment and retention challenges.
When does funding open?
Funding is available April 1, 2026, and applications are open on a rolling basis through March 2028.
What counts as "years of rural service" for the Retention Recognition Incentive?
It is your cumulative time working at eligible RCIF rural and remote worksites, not your date of hire with your employer, and not limited to your current site. Time at urban or ineligible sites does not count. You will be asked to provide a brief description of your rural work history when you apply.
Eligibility Criteria
Am I eligible? Is my worksite eligible?
Eligibility varies by funding stream. Visit the relevant funding page on the RCIF website for full details, and refer to the Rural/Remote/Urban Table to confirm your worksite classification.
Is my worksite eligible?
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.
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
Calgary and Edmonton metro areas are excluded. Please refer to the Rural/Remote/Urban Table to see qualifying worksites.
Who applies — me or my manager?
It depends on the funding stream:
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Relocation Expense Reimbursement — your manager applies on your behalf
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Recruitment Incentive — your manager applies on your behalf
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Individual Education and Tuition — you apply directly
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Project Initiative Funding — a manager or union representative applies (joint applications are prioritized)
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Professional Development — a manager or union representative applies (joint applications are prioritized)
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Retention Recognition Incentive — the employee applies
Is the funding retroactive?
No. RCIF funding is not retroactive. The Recruitment Incentive and Relocation Expense Reimbursement apply only to new hires as of April 1, 2026. The one exception is the Individual Education and Tuition stream — eligible courses and expenses can be dated back to March 1, 2026
Can I apply if I am on an absence greater than 30 days?
Yes. Employees represented by UNA on an absence greater than 30 days, excluding vacation days remain eligible to apply for any RCIF funding stream. For details on how a this may affect your application, including Return for Service start dates and deadlines, please visit the relevant funding stream page.
What if I meet all the eligibility criteria except the 100 km distance requirement?
The 100 km minimum distance is the threshold the Committee set for both the Recruitment Incentive and the Relocation Expense Reimbursement. There are no exceptions. Distance is measured from your previous worksite to your new worksite. If that distance is less than 100 km, you are not eligible for these two funding streams.
You may still be eligible for other RCIF funding. Visit the funding pages to see what else may apply to you.
What counts as "years of rural service" for the Retention Recognition Incentive?
It is your cumulative time working at eligible RCIF rural and remote worksites, not your date of hire with your employer, and not limited to your current site. Time at urban or ineligible sites does not count. You will be asked to provide a brief description of your rural work history when you apply.
Funding Streams
What is the Recruitment Incentive and how much can I get?
The Recruitment Incentive is for UNA-represented nurses who are new to a rural or remote worksite and relocating at least 100 km from their previous worksite. Your manager applies on your behalf.
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Remote worksites: up to $20,000/year for up to 2 years (maximum $40,000)
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Rural worksites: up to $15,000/year for up to 2 years (maximum $30,000)
A Return for Service (RFS) Agreement is required. You can choose a 1-year or 2-year agreement. Payments are made every 6 months.
⚠ This payment is taxable income. Consider speaking with a tax professional.
What is the Relocation Expense Reimbursement?
This covers moving costs for nurses who relocate their home to take a position at a rural or remote worksite. Your manager applies on your behalf.
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100–299 km move within Alberta: $5,000
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300+ km move within Alberta: $7,500
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Out-of-province move: $10,000
Paid as a single lump sum. A 1-year Return for Service Agreement is required. If you also receive a Recruitment Incentive, both RFS Agreements run at the same time.
⚠ This payment is taxable income. Consider speaking with a tax professional.
What is the Project Initiative funding?
This funding supports site-based projects that improve recruitment and retention of UNA-represented nurses at rural and remote worksites. A manager or union representative applies — joint applications are prioritized.
Projects can be creative and locally driven. Past ideas have included:
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Staff appreciation events and recognition programs
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Mentorship and onboarding improvements
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Staff room upgrades and wellness initiatives
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Recruitment materials and nurse housing support
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Childcare support
If it supports your nurses and strengthens your team, the Committee wants to hear about it. Recipients must sign an Initiative Funding Agreement.
What is Professional Development funding?
This funding supports group-based professional development for UNA-represented nurses at rural and remote worksites. Up to $10,000 per program is available. A manager or union representative applies — joint applications are prioritized.
Eligible costs include:
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Instructor and facilitator fees
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Travel and accommodation for staff attending off-site training
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Venue rental, materials, and supplies
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Food and beverages
Recipients must sign an Initiative Funding Agreement.
Note: Base salary costs are not eligible.
What is Education and Tuition funding?
Individual nurses at rural and remote worksites can apply for up to $5,000 to cover education costs, including:
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Tuition and course fees
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Textbooks and course materials
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Travel, mileage, meals, and accommodation related to the program
Eligible courses must start on or after March 1, 2026. Expenses must be submitted within 60 days of completing the program and no later than March 1, 2028.
If you need time off for the training, speak with your manager, as RCIF approval does not automatically mean time off is approved.
What is the Retention Recognition Incentive and how much can I get?
The Retention Recognition Incentive is a one-time lump sum payment recognizing UNA members for their service at eligible rural and remote worksites.
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1–4 years of rural service: $5,000
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5–9 years of rural service: $7,500
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10 or more years of rural service: $10,000
A one-year Return for Service Agreement is required. Applications are open May 15 to September 30, 2026.
This payment is taxable income. Consider speaking with a tax professional.
Do I have to apply? Won't I get this automatically?
Yes, this payment is not issued automatically. Applications must be submitted through the grant portal and received by September 30, 2026.
How soon after I apply will I get paid?
If your application is approved, your payment will be processed through payroll within one to two pay periods of your approval letter being issued. The committee begins reviewing Tier 3 (10-plus years) applications from June 15, 2026. Tier 2 and Tier 1 applications are reviewed after September 30, 2026.
I worked 3 years in Stettler, then 2 years in Red Deer, and now I'm back in Stettler. What tier am I?
Your 3 years in Stettler count toward your total, but your 2 years in Red Deer do not as Red Deer is not an eligible rural or remote RCIF site. Your total is 3 years plus however long you have been back in Stettler. If that brings you to 4 years or under you are Tier 1 ($5,000). If it brings you to 5 or more years you are Tier 2 ($7,500).
I'm working in Edmonton right now, but I've worked 8 years in rural before this. Do I qualify?
No. You must be currently working at an eligible rural or remote RCIF worksite at the time of your application. Past rural service counts toward your tier, but you are not eligible unless you are actively working at an eligible site when you apply.
I am currently casual and have worked at my rural site for 12 years. Can I apply?
It depends on your casual classification. Casual employees are not eligible for the Retention Recognition Incentive. If you are a BECE (benefit-eligible casual), you are eligible and your 12 years of rural service would place you in Tier 3 ($10,000). If you are unsure of your classification, speak with your manager or contact us at supportuna@rcif-alberta.ca.
Agreements and Requirements
What is a Return for Service Agreement?
A Return for Service (RFS) Agreement is a commitment to stay in your position for a set period after receiving funding. It is required for the Recruitment Incentive and Relocation Expense Reimbursement streams. The RFS start date is the day you return to work (or the day you start, if you are not on leave). All RFS Agreements must begin no later than March 1, 2028.
What happens to my RFS if I go on leave?
If you are on an absence greater than 30 or more calendar days, excluding vacation your RFS end date will be extended by the same number of days. You are required to notify your manager and the RCIF Committee of any leave or departure that may affect your RFS Agreement.
What is an Initiative Funding Agreement?
An Initiative Funding Agreement is required for the Project Initiative Funding and Professional Development streams. Like a Return for Service Agreement, it is a commitment to comply with the terms of the funding. It is signed by the recipient — the manager and/or union representative who submitted the application, on behalf of the worksite.
Do all applicants have to complete an online survey?
Yes. All RCIF funding recipients are required to complete an online survey at the end of their project, program, or funding period. This applies to every funding stream. The survey helps the Committee assess whether the incentives are working and inform future funding decisions.
What is the Retention Recognition Incentive and how much can I get?
The Retention Recognition Incentive is a one-time lump sum payment recognizing UNA members for their service at eligible rural and remote worksites.
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1–4 years of rural service: $5,000
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5–9 years of rural service: $7,500
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10 or more years of rural service: $10,000
A one-year Return for Service Agreement is required. Applications are open May 15 to September 30, 2026.
This payment is taxable income. Consider speaking with a tax professional.