High-Demand Resident Incentive Program
The High-Demand Resident Incentive Program provides financial support to eligible University of Saskatchewan residents training in identified high-demand specialties who commit to practicing in Saskatchewan after completing their residency.
This program applies to residents who:
- are enrolled in an eligible high-demand specialty at the University of Saskatchewan,
- are in their fourth or fifth postgraduate year, or are completing Pediatric Emergency Medicine training,
- commit to practicing in Saskatchewan following completion of their residency, and
- meet all other eligibility requirements.
The program supports physician workforce planning by encouraging long-term practice in high-demand specialties. It is funded by the Government of Saskatchewan Ministry of Health and administered by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).
Program Benefits
- Up to $60,000 in bursary funding
- Financial support during residency training
- Opportunity to establish practice in Saskatchewan
- Support for high-demand specialties
- Contribute to improving access to care across the
Before You Apply
- Review the eligibility requirements.
- Confirm your residency program is eligible.
- Understand the Return of Service commitment.
- Complete the application form.
- Gather the required documentation.
- Submit your application by October 31.
Residents are eligible to apply if they are:
- Enrolled in an Anesthesiology, Diagnostic Radiology, or Emergency Medicine (FRCP) Specialty Residency Program at the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan; and
- In their 4th or 5th postgraduate year of their residency program; or
- Enrolled in a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Residency Program
Family Practice Anesthetists and Family Practice Emergency Physicians are not eligible for the High-Demand Resident Incentive Program.
Funding
The total incentive available is $60,000. Each successful applicant will be eligible for up to 2 years of funding (at $30,000/year) to a maximum of $60,000. Funding will only be provided while a resident is in training.
- Residents who apply in their 4th year of training are eligible for up to two years of funding
- Residents who apply in their 5th year of training are eligible for up to one year of funding
Incentive income is considered taxable income by the Canada Revenue Agency, and T4A slips will be issued for each year the applicant receives funding.
Application Requirements
Applications for incentives must include:
- a completed application form
- consent to be contacted by other healthcare organizations for the purposes of recruitment, including the Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency (SHRA)
The annual application deadline is October 31.
Applicants must reapply for each year of funding.
Residents enrolled in a Pediatric Emergency Medicine program must provide proof of enrolment for each year of bursary funding to be submitted with the application.
Service Commitment
Upon completion of the medical training as specified in the return-of-service agreement, physicians are required to provide a specified period of service to Saskatchewan.
Total return of service is calculated based on the following:
- One year of full-time service in an eligible community in Saskatchewan for one year of funding.
- Two years of full-time service in an eligible community in Saskatchewan for two years of funding.
Eligible Practice Locations
Following completion of training, residents must practice in one of the following eligible communities:
- Anesthesiology: Eligible communities include Moose Jaw, Yorkton, North Battleford, Swift Current, Prince Albert, Lloydminster, Regina and Saskatoon.
- Please note: Saskatoon will be an eligible community under the following provision:
- If practice is based in Saskatoon, a minimum of 8 weeks per year (40 days) of practice must also be provided in Moose Jaw, Yorkton, North Battleford, Swift Current, Prince Albert, Lloydminster or Regina.
- Diagnostic Radiology: Eligible communities include Moose Jaw, Yorkton, North Battleford, Swift Current, Prince Albert, Lloydminster, Saskatoon, and Regina
- Emergency Medicine: Eligible communities include Moose Jaw, Yorkton, North Battleford, Swift Current, Prince Albert, Lloydminster, Saskatoon, and Regina
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine: Eligible communities include Saskatoon and Regina.
Starting Practice
Upon or before completion of residency training, recipients must notify the SHA of their practice location and date on which they intend to commence practice. This will enable accurate and timely tracking of service for the return of service commitment.
Upon completing residency training, physicians have up to six months to establish medical practice in an eligible location in Saskatchewan.
The contract permits the SHA to provide relevant information about the incentive recipient to others in the province who might be interested in the medical services of the incentive recipient (for the purposes of recruitment).
Following confirmation of eligibility, the SHA will contact successful applicants by email with a copy of the incentive return-of-service agreement for signature. This must be signed and returned to the SHA before payment can be made.
To receive funding for subsequent years, applicants will need to reapply each year.
Physicians who fail to complete their service commitment will be required to repay all incentive funds with accumulated interest. This interest amount is calculated by Saskatchewan Finance and the SHA, and the amount will be specified in the recipient’s promissory note (included with contract).
Failure to fulfill the terms of this agreement, by either fulfilling their return of service commitment or by repaying all incentive funds with accumulated interest, will result in further collective action. Notification may be given to the College of Physicians and Surgeons who can then make a decision not to issue a certificate of good standing.
Complete the High-Demand Resident Incentive Program Application available under Related Documents below.
