Alberta Midwifery Strategy Grant

Overview

Through the Alberta Midwifery Strategy, Alberta’s government is providing funding for projects that support midwives to deliver timely, culturally appropriate, and adaptable supports and services during the pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period.

Grants will strengthen the local midwifery workforce by focusing on areas where midwifery providers and communities struggle to recruit and retain qualified staff. These funding opportunities will ultimately increase access to maternal health care services for Albertans and support critical workforce improvements to support and retain midwives across the province.

Grant funding from the Midwifery Strategy in 2025-26 will:

• enhance access to midwifery services and address gaps in care within rural, remote and indigenous communities
• support attraction, retention and integration of midwives including internationally educated midwives into Alberta’s health workforce
• improve midwifery data collection, reporting and integration into the health system's data repository

The Alberta Midwifery Strategy aims to strengthen the midwifery workforce and expand access to maternal health services across the province, with a particular focus on rural, remote and Indigenous communities. Designed in collaboration with health system stakeholders, it is an inclusive provincial strategy that considers the needs of all patient populations.

Funding

There is $3 million available for 2025-26, with grants of up to $750,000 per organization or group.

Eligibility

Eligibility is limited to organizations and groups dedicated to advancing midwifery services in Alberta, especially in rural, remote and/or Indigenous communities.

Applicants should aim to build local community capacity, enhance midwifery data collection and reporting, and expand the midwifery workforce, ensuring robust support for midwives in fulfilling their essential roles.

Priority will be given to organizations or groups that propose innovative solutions aligned with the 3 focus areas of the 2025-26 midwifery grant funding.

Eligible projects should:

• address gaps in the maternal health care system by implementing strategies to support midwives (attraction and/or retention) in rural and remote areas and/or enhance access to midwifery care for Indigenous populations, in either urban or rural settings
• support attraction, retention and integration of midwives, including internationally educated midwives into Alberta’s health workforce
• bridge gaps in the collection, reporting and integration of the midwifery workforce and service data into the health system’s central repository

Applicant organizations or groups must:

• demonstrate or identify the need for the proposed project
• identify where the project will be located
• provide Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) objectives, outcomes and deliverables to ensure that goals are well-defined, trackable, and have a deadline
• provide a detailed timeline of project activities and qualification of professionals (where applicable)
• identify appropriate metrics to measure project outcomes
• incorporate collaborations and partnerships that promote the activities of the proposed project

How to apply

Step 1.  Review or become familiar the Alberta Midwifery Strategy

Review the Alberta Midwifery Strategy

Step 2. Read the guidebook for eligibility requirements and additional information to support the application process.

Alberta midwifery strategy grant call: guidebook

Step 3. Complete the application form (or EOI)

Alberta Midwifery Strategy Grant Program Application form

Follow directions on the application to fill out the form. Include the following documents in your grant application and proposal package:

• completed and signed grant application
• detailed project proposal
• evidence of licences, permits, inspections, land designations, etc.
• letter of commitment or support letter from partner organizations
• any additional relevant project information

Organizations can submit the application and proposal using any digital file format, provided it includes the required information.

Step 4. Submit the application package

Questions regarding the application process may be directed to [email protected] 

Email your completed grant application and proposal package to [email protected] by September 11, 2025.

After you apply

Priority will be given to applicants who have completed the process and have included all pertinent information and met inclusion criteria. 

Once applications and proposals are reviewed and decisions are finalized, successful applicants will be notified of the decision and funding amounts they will receive.

Contact

Connect with the Health Workforce Research and Program Unit, Health Workforce Division, Primary and Preventative Health Services:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)

Email: [email protected]