Rural Education and Advanced Learning (REAL) Program

REAL Program Eligibility Criteria

PLEASE NOTE: Some of our eligibility and funding criteria has changed.

To be eligible for the REAL Program applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Hold an active practice license, and be in good standing, in Alberta through their applicable professional regulatory body (Alberta regulated health professions).
• Currently live and practise in a rural Alberta community located outside the Census Metropolitan Area boundaries of Calgary or Edmonton, with a population of fewer than 15,000 people, or fall within Alberta’s North Zone
• Work in rural Alberta in a primary care network, out-of-scope/non-union position or independent/private practice, and have done so for at least six (6) consecutive months.
• If applicable, be in good standing with the REAL Program based on any past participation in the program

Course or training opportunity must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants may only apply for one (1) course, program, or training opportunity per application cycle and per application.
• This course, program, or training opportunity must have been completed within three (3) months of, be currently in progress at time of, or will be starting within six (6) months of application submission.
• Course must support your clinical area of practice, be relevant to your current position and scope of practice and align with the aims of the REAL Program.
• Course must benefit patients/clients within your community as well as your personal practice or skill competency.
• Course or training opportunity must not have already received funding from or subsidy through REAL or another source.

Applicants must be willing to agree to the following terms and conditions:

• a return-of-service term when applicable
• repayment of REAL funding in the event that the course is not successfully completed or the return-of-service commitment is not fulfilled
• participation in the evaluation of the REAL Program and provision of feedback as requested.
• all other terms and conditions that may apply. Please not: all terms and conditions will be as agreed upon between you and RhPAP’s director of health professions and confirmed in writing.

1. the remoteness/ need of the community from which the applicant is applying as determined by Alberta Health’s Rural & Remote Program Isolation Scores.
2. the benefit of the type of course/ training/ program to the community (Considerations include the following: what kind of value would local patients/clients receive from this training?; does another provider in the community already offer the services that this training would facilitate?, etc.)
3. amount of REAL funding previously provided to applicant

If you have questions, please email REAL@rhpap.ca.

Click here to learn more about the REAL Application Process

Some of the courses/education opportunities* eligible for the REAL Program may include the following:

*Inclusion of a course or training idea on this list does not guarantee approval of your application as many factors including, but not limited to, community need, service sustainability, and available funding are also considered. This list is intended to provide examples of the types of opportunities that would be considered for REAL funding.

MacEwan University

• Critical Care, Emergency, Community, Family Health, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Clinical Practice, Specialty, Practice Foundations Nursing Courses (as of October 2022)

Mount Royal University

• Addiction Studies Course
• Children’s Mental Health Extension Certificate Program
• Dementia Programs
• Perinatal Nursing Certificate Program

University of British Columbia

• Rural & Remote Nursing Certificate Program

University of Alberta

• Indigenous Relations Courses
• Health, Safety & Wellness Courses

University of Calgary

• Master of Nursing Program Courses

University of Athabasca

• Indigenous Studies Course
• Mental Health Certificate Program (Nurse practitioners only)
• Older Adults Certificate Program (Nurse practitioners only)

SAIT

• Medical Laboratory Continuing Education
• Professional Health Education
• First Aid & Emergency Response