RFAs: Rural and Remote Travel Grant Program (Canada)

Deadline: 20-Sep-2026

The Rural and Remote Travel Grant Program provides up to $500 CAD to help educators and instructional support staff at publicly funded post-secondary institutions in British Columbia attend professional development events. The grant can support eligible travel and one night of accommodation for B.C. residents living in rural or remote communities who do not have sufficient professional development funding.

About the Rural and Remote Travel Grant Program

The program is designed to reduce financial barriers that prevent educators and instructional support staff in rural and remote British Columbia from accessing professional development opportunities. Funding can help eligible applicants travel to an event located outside their rural or remote community and participate in professional learning that supports their professional practice. The grant is particularly relevant to post-secondary professionals who have limited institutional professional development budgets and would otherwise be unable to attend an eligible event. Grant Amount and Eligible Costs Successful applicants can receive up to $500 CAD. The funding can be used for eligible travel-related expenses, including: Airfare to and from the event location. Ground transportation to and from the event. Transportation between the airport, event venue and accommodation. Accommodation for one night. The grant may supplement funding received from an applicant’s institution or another source, provided the applicant still meets the program’s eligibility requirements. Who Is Eligible? The program is intended for educators and instructional support staff working at publicly funded post-secondary institutions in British Columbia. Eligible applicants must meet all relevant requirements. Eligible Professional Roles

Applicants may include:

Instructors. Instructional designers. Educational developers. Faculty developers. Educational technologists. Learning experience designers. Other instructional support staff performing comparable functions. Location Requirements

Applicants must:

Be a B.C. resident. Live in a rural or remote community. Live outside the location where the professional development event is being held. The program is intended specifically for professionals who face geographic and financial barriers to attending professional development activities.

Participate in sector events and professional development

Build connections with other education professionals. Bring new knowledge and practices back to their institutions and communities. By supporting participation in professional development, the program can contribute to stronger teaching, learning and instructional support across B.C.’s rural and remote post-secondary sector. How the Rural and Remote Travel Grant Works Eligible applicants should follow the application and notification process established by the program.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Before applying, verify that you:

Work at a publicly funded post-secondary institution in British Columbia. Are an eligible educator or instructional support professional. Are a B.C. resident. Live in a rural or remote community outside the event location. Do not have sufficient professional development funding to attend. Have not received a BCcampus grant during the previous two fiscal years.

Step 2: Identify the Professional Development Event

Applicants should identify the event they intend to attend and determine the travel costs associated with participation. The event should require travel from the applicant’s rural or remote community.

Step 3: Calculate Eligible Travel Costs

Prepare an estimate of the costs that the grant would help cover.

Potential expenses include:

Airfare. Ground transportation. Airport transfers. Transportation to and from the event. One night of accommodation.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Complete the grant application with the required information and demonstrate why financial assistance is necessary to attend the event. Applicants should clearly explain their professional development need and the financial barrier preventing attendance without grant support.

Step 5: Wait for the Funding Decision

Successful applicants will be notified by email on or before September 22, 2026.

Step 6: Confirm Acceptance Before Making Travel Arrangements

Successful applicants must:

Confirm acceptance of the grant. Provide their current mailing address. Wait for the required confirmation before making their own travel arrangements. Applicants should therefore avoid making non-refundable travel commitments before receiving the relevant grant confirmation and instructions. Common Mistakes to Avoid Applicants can improve their applications by carefully checking the eligibility and funding requirements.

Common issues to avoid include:

Applying without confirming that the institution is publicly funded. Failing to demonstrate residence in a rural or remote B.C. community. Applying for an event located in the applicant’s own community. Not explaining why existing professional development funding is insufficient. Requesting costs that are outside the stated travel and accommodation categories. Overlooking the previous two-fiscal-year BCcampus grant restriction. Making travel arrangements before receiving grant confirmation.

Target applicants: Post-secondary educators and instructional support staff

Eligible institutions: Publicly funded post-secondary institutions in B.C.

Target communities: Rural and remote communities

Eligible costs: Transportation and one night of accommodation

Previous grant restriction: Applicants must not have received a BCcampus grant during the previous two fiscal years

Successful applicant notification: On or before September 22, 2026

Important requirement: Successful applicants must confirm acceptance and provide their current mailing address before arranging travel

FAQ Who can apply for the Rural and Remote Travel Grant? The grant is available to eligible instructors and instructi