The Alberta government is hoping that new funding will help attract and retain rural doctors.
According to a news release, a total of $16 million has been announced for the Rural and Remote Family Medicine Resident Physician Bursary Pilot Program.
The initiative will provide $8 million over the next two years.
“There is an urgent need for customized supports in rural and remote communities across Alberta. This action plan will serve as a roadmap to build and maintain access to high-quality health care in these areas of the province,” says Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange.
The province says bursaries of $125,000 will be provided to rural applicants and will be available to medical students in their final year of an undergraduate program.
The medical university has to be matched with a program at the University of Alberta or the University of Calgary.
The bursaries are also open for residents completing a family medicine residency at the U of A or U of C.
"In return, bursary recipients will commit to delivering comprehensive patient care in eligible communities for three years after completing their residency, enhancing the capacity of rural and remote communities," added the province in a release.
Applications will open in December.