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Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NRRRI)
Financial incentives for physicians in rural Ontario
Record updated
- Funding available
- $ 84,851 - $ 124,730
- Deadline
- Open continuously
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
Overview
This program offers taxable financial incentives of up to $124,730 for physicians who establish a full-time practice in eligible northern and rural Ontario communities. It supports recruitment and retention through quarterly payments over four years for approved medical practice opportunities.
At a glance
Funding available
- Maximum funding
- $124,730
- Minimum funding
- $84,851
- Attract or retain talent
Eligible candidates
- Location
- North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Timmins
- Ontario
- Eligible Industries
- All industries
- Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
- Organisation size
- All organization sizes
- Audience
- All groups
- Legal structures
- All legal structures
Start applying for this program
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Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Physicians
- Family physicians
- Medical specialists
Who is not eligible
- Physicians who previously received the NRRRI grant for a full four years
- Physicians who already received Free Tuition Program funding or an NHP incentive grant for a full four-year duration
- Physicians who have not yet completed residency training, if they are not otherwise ready to apply
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Relocation expenses
- Spousal employment support
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
- Communities with a Rurality Index for Ontario score of 40 or greater
- North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Timmins
Activities funded
- Establishing a full-time medical practice in an eligible northern or rural community
- Providing comprehensive physician services in the community
- Joining an existing primary care model, for family physicians
How to apply
- Step 1: Prepare the application
- Complete the NRRRI application form.
- Gather required registration, certification, and support documents.
- Step 2: Submit to Northern Health Programs
- Send the application by email or fax to Northern Health Programs.
- Include the community support letter and hospital privileges confirmation.
- Step 3: Sign the agreement if approved
- Review the approval letter and agreement forms.
- Sign and return both agreement forms with a void cheque.
- Step 4: Receive payments and confirm practice
- Wait for the first deposit after approval of all documents.
- Complete Confirmation of Practice forms when requested during the first three years.
Documents Needed
- Completed NRRRI application form
- Valid CPSO certificate of registration
- Family or specialist certification documents, if applicable
- Proof of CMPA coverage
- Community acceptance letter and hospital privileges confirmation
Selection criteria
- Eligibility criteria must be met
- Applications are considered alongside total NRRRI budget allocations
- RIO score influences the grant value
Processing and Agreement
- Application is reviewed by Northern Health Programs before practice begins
- If approved, the physician receives an approval letter and agreement forms
- Signed agreements and banking details must be returned before payment starts
- First payment is issued about six to eight weeks after all required documents are approved
- Eligibility is monitored during the first three years through a Confirmation of Practice form
Additional information
- Only emailed or faxed applications are accepted.
- Electronic signatures are accepted in place of original signed documents.
- Physicians may receive only one NRRRI grant per career.
- Payments are made quarterly over four years.
Contacts
Official sources
Frequently Asked Questions about the Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NRRRI) Program
What is the Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NRRRI)?
This program offers taxable financial incentives of up to $124,730 for physicians who establish a full-time practice in eligible northern and rural Ontario communities. It supports recruitment and retention through quarterly payments over four years for approved medical practice opportunities.
How much funding can be received?
Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NRRRI) Funds up to $124,730 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NRRRI) program?
To be eligible for the Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NRRRI) program, you must:
Physicians with valid CPSO registration
Full-time practice in an eligible community
Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Who can I contact for more information about the Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NRRRI)?
You can contact Government of Ontario by email at NHP@ontario.ca or by phone at 705-564-7280.
Where is the Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NRRRI) available?
The Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NRRRI) program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NRRRI) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NRRRI) is a Grant and Funding