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AHS & NAD Bursary Program

Bursary Open for Applications

This unique bursary program, offered in partnership with Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Northern Alberta Development (NAD), offers the chance to fund your education while you explore northern Alberta and grow your career.

Fund Details

  • Each recipient will receive matching funds from AHS and NAD, ranging from $1,000 to $3,500 per organization, up to a maximum of $7,000 per year.
  • Successful applicants must sign separate Return of Service agreements with both AHS and NAD.
  • To fulfill these agreements, recipients must secure employment with AHS or an eligible healthcare agency within NAD's geographic area. Eligible agencies include Recovery Alberta: Addictions and Mental Health (Recovery Alberta), Acute Care Alberta (ACA), Assisted Living Alberta (ALA), and Primary Care Alberta (PCA).
  • A portion of the funding is reserved for Indigenous applicants (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis), who must provide proof of status upon award acceptance.

Find details on eligibility, application tips, selection, return of service, and more in the tabs below.

Application Period

  • Application deadline: Friday, October 3, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
  • Late or incomplete applications are not considered.
  • Shortlisted applicants will be contacted in mid-December.

To Apply

Submit your completed application form, current résumé, and proof of enrollment to
ProfessionalDevelopment.Funding@ahs.ca.

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Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet all criteria. The selection committee may also consider factors like high-demand locations and occupations.

General Requirements

  • You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person.
  • You must have lived in Alberta for at least twelve (12) consecutive months before starting your program.
  • Indigenous applicants must provide proof of status if selected to receive a bursary.
  • You must be at arm’s length from the sponsor (not related and selected by impartial means).

Employment

  • You must not be a current employee of AHS, Recovery Alberta, ACA, ALA or PCA.
    • If you’ve previously held a temporary, student or casual position with AHS or any of these agencies, contact the HR Contact Centre at 1-877-511-4455 to confirm your employment status.
  • You must commit to living and working in Northern Alberta upon graduation. Recipients must obtain a position with AHS or another eligible Agency, as outlined in the Return of Service agreement.
    • Note: Receiving the bursary is not an offer of employment.

Education & Funding

  • You must be enrolled full-time in a clinical, healthcare-related post-secondary program for the 2025-2026 school year. The program must be designated by Alberta Advanced Education and run for at least one full academic year (September – April).
  • You must not be in default of a provincial student loan.
  • You may not receive funding from both NAD and the AHS & NAD Bursary Program in the same school year. While NAD offers a range of bursaries, you can receive only 1 per academic year. If you receive this bursary in multiple academic years, each year’s Return of Service is served consecutively.
Application Tips

Important: As outlined in the application form, applicants agree to share their personal information with AHS, NAD and Alberta Advanced Education.

  • Complete the form in full and include your resume and proof of enrollment in a single email.
    • Do not submit documents via Google Docs, SharePoint, Dropbox, or other file-sharing services.
  • Use a personal email address (not a school email) when submitting your application.
  • Include your Alberta Student Number (ASN). This 9-digit number is different from your post-secondary student ID number. You can access this information through the Alberta Government Learner Registry.
  • Provide thoughtful, detailed answers to the short answer questions. Explain how your goals align with the bursary’s purpose and how you plan to help meet Alberta’s healthcare needs.
  • Proof of enrollment documents must show acceptance into your specific program (diploma/degree/certificate).
    • Acceptable documents include your acceptance letter, student portal screenshot or unofficial transcripts.
Selection & Notification

Selection Process

All applications are reviewed by a selection committee and evaluated using a standardized scoring system to ensure a fair and impartial process.

Selection Criteria

Successful applicants will be selected based on:

  • Alignment with the needs of AHS and/or the eligible agencies (e.g., high-demand occupations, fields of study, and locations)
  • Quality of résumé
  • Quality and depth of responses to short answer questions

Priority is given to applicants pursuing clinical roles currently in high demand. Applicants in other programs are still encouraged to apply and may be considered if funds are available.

Notification

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by e-mail in mid-December and asked to:

  • Complete the NAD Bursary Partnership Program Student Application, which will undergo a separate review by NAD.
  • Sign an AHS Return of Service agreement.

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Return of Service & Fund Dispersal

A Return of Service (ROS) agreement outlines the recipient’s commitment to work for AHS or an eligible agency in exchange for receiving the bursary. The AHS agreement includes specific terms and conditions, summarized below.

Successful applicants will receive two Return of Service agreements:

  • Alberta Health Services (which includes Recovery Alberta, ACA, ALA and PCA)
  • NAD (via Alberta Advanced Education))

Summary of the AHS Return of Service

  • Recipients must complete one (1) month of full-time service (or the equivalent in part-time/casual hours as per the applicable Collective Agreement) for every $500 of total bursary funding.
    • Example: A $4,000 bursary requires eight (8) months full-time work.
  • The AHS & NAD ROS agreements are served at the same time, but after any other ROS obligations with AHS (and/or the eligible agencies) or NAD.
  • If you receive relocation support from AHS and/or an eligible agency, your ROS agreement obligations will be served consecutively.
  • If you do not fulfill the terms of the ROS agreements, you will be required to repay the bursary funds as outlined in the agreements.
  • If your eligibility changes before you begin your service, your bursary amount and required service may also change. You may be required to sign a revised agreement.

Fund Disbursal

  • Once the AHS Return of Service and NAD application form are received, Professional Development Funding submits the application form to NAD for review.
  • NAD conducts its own evaluation of shortlisted applications and collaborates with Alberta Student Aid to create the NAD ROS agreement.
  • If approved by all parties, bursary payments are issued as two separate cheques: one from AHS, and one from NAD.
  • Cheques are mailed between mid-January and late March.
FAQ

Is this award open to all Alberta residents?

This award is open to all Alberta residents who meet the required eligibility criteria. A portion of the funding is designated to support Indigenous individuals.

I am Indigenous but was not selected for one of the Indigenous bursaries. Am I still eligible for the general funding stream?

Yes. Applications from Indigenous individuals are first considered. If not selected in that round, your application will then be re-evaluated alongside all other applicants for the general funding stream.

Can I receive this bursary more than once?

Yes. You may receive the bursary in multiple years if selected. However, each year’s Return of Service (ROS) agreement must be served consecutively.

Multiple healthcare agencies have been established in addition to AHS. How does this affect the program?

The terms of the ROS agreement permit recipients to carry out their obligation with AHS or any of the eligible health agencies (Recovery Alberta, ACA, ALA, or PCA). The bursary funds are currently provided by AHS and therefore the ROS agreement is provided by AHS. AHS may assign the ROS agreement to any of the eligible agencies, provided that the assignee shall be bound by the terms of this agreement.