Individual Teacher Bursary Program

Important dates

Overview

The Individual Teacher Bursary program may give eligible teachers up to $2,200 each year for post-secondary courses, training and professional development in French.

The Alberta government administers the program using federal funding provided through the Canada-Alberta Agreement for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction.

Bursaries are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eligibility

Applicant eligibility

Eligible applicants must:

• hold a valid teaching certificate
• be a current resident of Alberta
• be a Canadian citizen or hold a Canadian permanent resident status (in accordance with the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act)

Eligible applicants must also be one of the following:

• a teacher (Kindergarten to Grade 12) currently teaching in a francophone or French Immersion program or teaching a French as a Second Language course
• a French speaking teacher on a secondment with an organization involved in the field of French teaching and learning
• a teacher hired to teach French or in French in the coming school year
• a French speaking administrator, librarian, counsellor, or other professional staff working with students who are learning French in a francophone school or French Immersion program, or studying French as a Second Language
• a French program consultant working with francophone, French as a Second Language, or French Immersion teachers

The bursary is not available to people already benefitting from or being paid by conference organizers.

Training and professional development eligibility

For the 2023-2024 bursary, training and other professional development must be offered in French in Canada between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024.

Training and professional development programs in St-Pierre-et-Miquelon are not eligible for the bursary program.

Courses related to doctorate programs are not eligible.

Funding

Eligible applicants can get up to $2,200 in a year to cover part of travel, tuition and registration costs.

Bursary awards paid directly to recipients are taxable.

The following costs are not reimbursed:

• substitute costs
• accommodation
• meals
• course materials
• internet access
• personal and other expenses not directly related to the course or professional development

Bursary amounts for courses

Table 1. Bursary amounts for courses​

Bursary amounts for professional development

Eligible applicants may receive up to $400 for conference or workshop registration costs.

Bursary amounts for travel

Eligible applicants may receive the following amounts for travel if they live more than 100 kilometres from a course or professional development opportunity in Alberta:

Table 2. Bursary amounts for travel within Alberta

Eligible applicants may receive the following amounts for travel if a course or professional development is outside Alberta:

Table 3. Bursary amounts for travel outside Alberta

How to apply

We do not accept application and reimbursement forms submitted after the deadlines.

Contact us if you cannot open these forms.

Step 1. Complete the application form

Complete the 2023/24 Individual Teacher Bursary Program Application Form (PDF, 2.0 MB) and get your school principal or superintendent to sign it.

Step 2. Submit the application form

Email the completed form to [email protected] or mail it to Official Languages in Education Programs (OLEP).

We will let you know if your application is accepted approximately 4 weeks after we receive it.

Step 3. If approved, complete the reimbursement form

After attending the professional development activity between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024, complete the 2023/24 Individual Teacher Bursary Program Reimbursement Form (PDF, 2.1 MB).

Include proof of course completion or conference participation, such as:

• transcripts
• confirmation of attendance
• a certificate of completion

Step 4. Submit the reimbursement form

Email the completed form to [email protected] or mail it to OLEP.

If approved, we will mail you a cheque within 8 weeks of receiving your reimbursement form.

Cancellations and substitutions

Contact us if your pre-approved course is cancelled or if you want to substitute a different course.

You must get approval for the substituted course to keep your bursary and qualify for reimbursement. Substituting a course may change the amount of money you get.

Conferences and institutions

The national conferences and educational institutions on this list do not offer all the possible options for eligible courses or training. We encourage you to explore other opportunities as well.

Contact the institution directly to learn more about programs they offer.

Contact

Connect with the Alberta Official Languages in Education Programs (OLEP) office:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-415-0614
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

Address:
Official Languages in Education Programs (OLEP)
Intergovernmental Relations Branch
Alberta Education
10th Floor, 44 Capital Boulevard
10044 108 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 5E6