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Important dates
Applications open on December 8, 2025, and close on January 19, 2026, at 9:00 am. No applications will be accepted after that time.
Overview
The Northern Alberta Teacher Award (NATA) encourages students in a teaching program to live and work as a teacher in northern Alberta, within the Northern Alberta School Division boundaries after completing their program. Award recipients will be chosen while in their last year of a Bachelor of Education program from an accredited post-secondary institution in Alberta. They will receive the award once they have completed their 2- or 3-year stay living and working in a school division within northern Alberta.
Schools included within the program area are under the authority of a northern Alberta School Division, a First Nations’ Education Authority or an accredited independent school.
Funding
The Northern Alberta Teacher Award is a financial incentive for applicants in their final year of a Bachelor of Education degree who are willing to complete a 2- or 3-year return of service working in northern Alberta. When applying for the award, applicants can select the length of return of service they are interested in completing.
Students must be able and willing to complete:
- 2 years of full-time employment to receive a $9,000 award, or
- 3 years of full-time employment to receive an $18,000 award
Selected recipients will be asked to sign a return of service agreement. Funds will be disbursed once successful applicants have completed the term of their agreement. Recipients who do not fulfill the full return of service requirement will not receive the award.
Eligibility
To be considered for the Northern Alberta Teacher Award, an applicant must:
- be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program at an approved Alberta post-secondary institution
- be in the last year of a Bachelor of Education program or in the second year of a Bachelor of Education After Degree
- be completing a program with a specialization in demand within northern Alberta
- sign an agreement declaring their intent to live and work in northern Alberta for the entire duration of their return to service
- not be a current or past recipient of the Northern Student Teacher Bursary
You can increase your chance of success if you have an acceptable academic record.
Participating school divisions
Check to see which schools are eligible to use as employment towards your return of service obligation.
Award recipients are required to inform Alberta Education and Childcare when you have secured employment at an eligible school jurisdiction. Email us at [email protected] to ensure recognition of the return of service agreement.
How to apply
After you apply
You will be advised of your status by the end of March 2026.
Selected recipients will receive the return of service agreement by email along with directions to continue the award process.
If selected, the program administrators will follow up with you to monitor completion of your return of service commitment. It is your responsibility to maintain your TWINS account and ensure your contact information is up-to-date.