Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Integrated Health and Social Services Centre of Gaspésie (CISSS)

Role of the CISSS de la Gaspésie in the funding ecosystem

The Integrated Health and Social Services Centre of Gaspésie (CISSS de la Gaspésie) is the regional public body responsible for organizing and delivering health and social services across the Gaspésie region of Québec. Beyond its care mandate, the CISSS administers a portfolio of financial support mechanisms designed to attract, train and retain qualified personnel in key health and social services occupations.

On its “Programs of scholarships and financial aid” page, the CISSS presents structured funding offers for students and workers in disciplines such as nursing techniques, inhalotherapy and a variety of technical and professional positions. These measures take the form of annual study scholarships, lump-sum financial support, installation allowances in the region, housing allocations for interns and retention bonuses for graduates who commit to working for the CISSS de la Gaspésie.

Types of funding and target audiences

• Study scholarships – Annual scholarships of several thousand dollars are offered to students enrolled in specific health training programs (e.g. nursing and inhalotherapy), for the duration of their studies, in exchange for an employment commitment with the CISSS.
• Financial support for further training – Licensed practical nurses wishing to complete their technical training may access financial support up to a defined amount, complementing provisions in their collective agreement.
• Installation allowances – Lump-sum grants are offered to health professionals, such as inhalotherapists, who relocate from outside the region to settle and work in Gaspésie.
• Housing allocations and retention bonuses – Interns in technical and professional positions can receive housing allocations during their placements, followed by retention bonuses if they are hired and commit to remaining in employment for a specified period.
• Peer recruitment incentives – The CISSS also manages referral bonuses for current employees (APTS titles) who help recruit and retain new staff in targeted sectors such as youth protection, youth housing units, continuous assistance residences and hospital or diagnostic environments.

General application framework

Each program is accompanied by official documentation, including detailed presentation sheets and application forms. Candidates must submit a complete and admissible application file, typically comprising a specific scholarship application form, an up‑to‑date curriculum vitae, a motivation letter outlining their interest in working for the CISSS de la Gaspésie, the importance of the funding to their studies, their openness to work in different local service networks, and their expected graduation date, as well as an official proof of full-time enrolment from their educational institution.

Applications and questions are submitted by email to dedicated CISSS addresses (for example, bourses.cisssgaspesie@ssss.gouv.qc.ca for scholarships, or recruitment/stages addresses for recruitment and internship‑related measures). The CISSS may also coordinate certain measures with union partners such as the APTS and SIIIEQ, as indicated in the program documents.

Foundations and philanthropic support

In parallel with these programs, the CISSS de la Gaspésie works with several affiliated health foundations, including the Fondation du CSSS du Rocher‑Percé. These foundations solicit donations from the community, which are used to improve health services, acquire equipment and enhance care environments across the region, complementing the CISSS’s own investments and funding mechanisms.