Apply for funding to recruit and retain healthcare professionals: OHPR Community Fund

You need to use the funding for community projects like:

• planning, recruitment and retention efforts of healthcare professionals
• helping reduce social and cultural barriers that may impact recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals
• creating a welcoming environment for healthcare professionals

The OHPR Community Fund has 2 different funding streams: Community Identified Projects and Community Readiness Supports. Applicants can apply for funding from either or both funding streams.

Priority is given to projects that include collaborating with multiple community partners. Projects need to show:

• support from other funding sources
• established relationship with community partners
• collaboration with a healthcare recruitment authority (for example, Nova Scotia Health Authority Recruitment or Health Association of Nova Scotia)
• how it complements and advances existing healthcare recruitment and retention efforts

Projects in geographic, social and cultural communities who were under-represented in the previous funding are given priority. Projects that include settlement support (like making it easier for new healthcare workers to find a home, transportation, schooling, childcare and community connection) are also given priority.

Funding amount

The Community Identified Projects Stream may fund up to $75,000 of eligible costs for each organization’s projects. The Community Readiness Supports Stream may fund up to $25,000 of eligible costs for each organization’s projects. The applicant or other sources need to fund the remaining balance of the projects.

Eligible projects

For the Community Identified Projects Stream, eligible projects include:

• supporting recruitment, retention and welcoming healthcare professionals to communities
• helping reduce social and cultural barriers to recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals through initiatives that support equity, diversity and inclusion

For the Community Readiness Supports Stream, eligible projects include:

• developing the capacity of communities to be successful in recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals

Ineligible project costs include:

• recruitment incentives
• construction or maintenance of facilities
• excessive travel accommodations and hospitality requests (like travel outside the province and luxury services)
• excessive administrative costs (should not exceed 15% of the total request for funding)
• rental accommodations
• staff salaries

Reporting requirements

If you receive funding from the OHPR Community Fund, you need to submit financial and progress reporting throughout the project. You also need to submit a Final Project Report and a Statement of Funding Expenditures within 60 days of completing the project and confirm that you met the project outcomes.

Eligibility

Non-profits, municipalities and other community organizations can apply for funding.

Ineligible groups

Organizations that are ineligible for funding (and can’t apply) include:

• public and private schools or colleges
• organizations located outside of Nova Scotia
• businesses, industry associations and sole proprietorships
• individuals
• non-profits and community organizations that are not registered with Registry of Joint Stock Companies

You need to apply for funding by 24 November 2023. Expenses are not eligible for funding if you paid for them before the project was approved.

How to apply

1. Review detailed program criteria in the OHPR Community Fund Guidelines.
2. Review roles, responsibilities, payment conditions and communication requirements in the OHPR Community Fund Appendix.
3. Contact the OHPR Community Fund to discuss your project idea and confirm your eligibility.
4. Complete the Budget Template and funding application.
5. Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
6. Send your completed application and supporting documents by email or mail.

How long it takes

It should take 6 to 8 weeks for the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment to review your funding application and let you know if it is approved. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application has not been filled in correctly. It can also take longer if the project is complex.

Cost

There is no cost to apply.

Before you start

Make sure you:

• review program criteria in the OHPR Community Fund Guidelines
• review roles, responsibilities, payment conditions and communication requirements in the OHPR Community Fund Appendix
• complete the Budget Form
• have a cover letter that describes your organization and your goals
• have a project proposal
• have a financial statement for the organization’s previous fiscal year

Application form

OHPR Community Fund Application Form (PDF 646 kB)