Rural Capacity Investment Fund (RCIF)
Supporting Rural Health Professionals Across Alberta
$54 Million | 2026 - 2028
What is the RCIF?
The Rural Capacity Investment Fund (RCIF) is a collaborative initiative established through the Collective Agreement between the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) and Alberta Health Services, Acute Care Alberta, Assisted Living Alberta, Cancer Care Alberta, Emergency Health Services, Give Life Alberta, Health Share Services, Primary Care Alberta, and Recovery Alberta.
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With $54 million in funding through the term of the Collective Agreement, the RCIF is dedicated to strengthening rural healthcare by supporting recruitment and retention initiatives for health professionals in rural Alberta.
The RCIF is established under Letter of Understanding #40 of the 2024 - 2028 Collective Agreement. See attached.
The RCIF Committee
The Fund is managed by a joint committee of employer and union representatives. A neutral facilitator supports the group, and decisions are made by consensus.​ 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
Learning from past initiatives and scaling what works
The Committee is dedicated to...
Responding to evolving rural workforce needs and trends
Making strategic investments that create lasting stability
Supporting the unique challenges facing rural teams today
Using evidence and input from members to guide funding decisions
What Funding is Available?
Recruitment Applications are now open!
​Retention Incentives are coming soon!
We encourage you to check the website regularly for updates.
Before applying, please visit each funding page for full eligibility and application details.
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Funding is not retroactive. To be eligible, applicants must be new hires with a start date of May 1, 2026 or later.
​Recruitment Incentive — Regular (Permanent) Positions
For employees who accept a difficult-to-recruit regular position at a worksite in Alberta's North, Central or South Zones. Up to $60,000 depending on FTE and length of Return for Service Agreement.​
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Recruitment Incentive - Temporary Positions
For difficult-to-recruit temporary positions at worksites in Alberta's North, Central or South Zones. Up to $500 per pay period; maximum $13,000 over 12 months.​
The Committee is focused primarily on worksites in Alberta's North, Central, and South Zones. The Committee may consider initiatives at rural sites in the Edmonton and Calgary Zones in the future.
Eligible worksites and zones
Who is Eligible?
The RCIF primarily serves "difficult to recruit to" sites in Alberta's North, Central, and South Zones. ​​These are locations facing challenges such as: ​​
​ ✓ High vacancy rates​​​
✓ Unfilled vacancies
✓ High turnover rates ​​
✓ Other recruitment and retention challenges identified by local teams ​
At this time the committee is prioritizing worksites in the North, Central and South Zones. Difficult-to-recruit rural sites in the Edmonton and Calgary Zones may be considered at a later date.