
Clinic Grants 2026/2027
The NDoFP is excited to offer the Clinic and Project Grant Program
to our community family practice clinics.​
Clinics (or groups of family physicians and nurse practitioners) are encouraged to access these one-time grants to build their networks and implement projects
that make meaningful differences to clinic operations, staff support
and patient experiences.​

At a Glance
What grants are for
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One-time funding of a short-term project on one of this year's topics.
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Funding for clinic staff and/or external vendors to deliver the project.
What grants are not for
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Areas where other funding already exists.
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Computer hardware/software.
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Direct patient care.
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Clinical equipment.
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Clinical trials.
What grants are for
-
One-time funding of a short-term project on one of this year's topics.
-
Funding for clinic staff and/or external vendors to deliver the project.
What grants are NOT for
-
Areas where other funding already exists.
-
Computer hardware/software
-
Direct patient care
-
Clinical equipment
-
Clinical trials
Why Apply
Is there a project you’ve had in mind for years – an idea on the back-burner, something you’ve heard about elsewhere and would like to attempt? These grants are intended to be a small incentive to take action this year. Share your innovative ideas, make a difference, tell the story – we're excited to support your leadership and vision.
The Fine Print: Eligibility and Funding Calculations
Eligibility The clinic and project grants are available to family physicians and nurse practitioners working in Nanaimo. Specifically: •The physician/NP practices in Nanaimo and is not 100% virtual. •The clinic is primarily MSP-funded, and has at least one practicing, primarily MSP-funded Family Physician or NP. Clinics that are NOT eligible: •Clinics without Family Physicians or NPs. •Clinics owned and operated by Island Health.
Exclusions Grant funding cannot be used towards: •Clinical training or purchasing clinical equipment used by physicians and/or clinicians that involve direct or indirect patient care, or patient information/data. •Physician or NP time related to patient care. •Clinical trials. •Projects which are supported by other sources of funding (e.g. DoBC, FPSC etc.). This includes: •Staff training on new technology (e.g. online booking system, EMR, new software/ equipment, or online security). •Purchase of software or hardware. •Retreats, social events, or appreciation gifts. Examples of eligible expenses: •Physician, MOA, clinic manager, RN, or allied health staff time spent planning and implementing the project. •Facilitation or consulting support related to funded activities. •Development of patient education or communication materials. •Costs associated with conducting patient or staff surveys. •Administrative support required to complete the project. Note: all expenses must be directly related to the approved project and comply with grant program exclusions.
Funding Calculations Maximum grant amounts are funded based on the number of family physician* full-time equivalent (FTE). If a physician works one day per week, that is 0.2 FTE and five days per week is 1.0 FTE. Clinics or groups of applicants with: •0.1 to 1.9 family physician FTE, or 0.1 to 5.0 NP FTE, will receive $2,000 •2.0 – 4.9 family physician FTEs, or 5.0 or more NP FTE, will receive $4,500 •5.0 or more family physician FTEs will receive $7,500 For example, if your group of physicians has 2 full-time family physicians and 3 family physicians that see patients half-time, the clinic is eligible for $4,500 (2 + 1.5 FTEs = 3.5 FTEs). * Funding is based on family physicians or nurse practitioners working in the clinic (not specialists, NPs, allied health, etc.). While the maximum grant funding is determined by your clinic’s total FTE, the actual grant amount awarded will be determined based on receipts submitted in your end of project report. The application is for the entire clinic or group of family physicians/NPs named in the application. A single application can include multiple ideas that all support the improvement of Patient Medical Homes. Each clinic or group may request one grant for a project of its choice. This means a physician or NP can only participate in one grant application per year. We therefore encourage clinic owners and clinic managers representing an individual clinic (or representing a group of clinics) to apply on behalf of the entire clinic. Individual physicians from separate clinics can also apply together as a group on a project. Note that each individual physician can only participate in one grant application.
Funding Timeline A clinic (or group) will receive the initial 70% of the funds shortly after project approval. A clinic (or group) will receive the remaining 30% of project funds upon project completion. We will send you an end of project template to provide a brief summary of your project, after which you will receive the remaining funding. Measurement Expectations All projects should include at least one measure of success. Measures may be quantitative (e.g., wait times, appointment utilization, patient access metrics) or qualitative (e.g., staff feedback, patient experience). Applicants should describe how they will assess whether their project achieved its intended outcome. Examples: •Number of patients seen through a new access model •Change in wait times for appointments •Staff satisfaction or confidence surveys •Patient feedback •Number of patients connected directly to allied health providers
Interested?
Here's How to Do a Project
STEP
1
Plan Your Project
Estimated Time: 20-30 min

The initial planning of your project should take no more than 30 minutes. Simply choose a project option from one of this year's project topics and ensure that you are within the program parameters. Have questions? Contact ____________ for additional project planning support.
STEP
2
Submit Your Application
Estimated Time: 15-30 min

To complete the application, all you need to provide is the family physicians or NPs involved, FP/NP hours worked in your clinic, project details, and expected outcomes. Note that at least one family physician or NP must sign off on the application.
How Applications are Reviewed
Projects will be assessed based on:
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Clear alignment with topic areas
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Feasibility within timeline
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Measurable impact on patients and/or clinic staff
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Sustainability beyond funding (if relevant)
Tips for a Strong Application
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Keep the project small and achievable (8–12 weeks is ideal)
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Clearly describe who will benefit and how
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Identify a project lead
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Include a simple measure of success
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Consider how improvements may be sustained after the project ends
STEP
3
Run Your Project
Estimated Time: Project-Dependent

What exactly this looks like, and how long it takes, depends on the details of your project—but all projects must be completed by March 1st, 2027. If you wish to sustain the project past this point, all ongoing costs are your responsibility, and you must still complete an "end-of-project" report.
STEP
4
Complete an End-of-Project Report
Estimated Time: 30 min

An End-of-Project Report template will be sent to you in February (or earlier by request), and must be completed to receive the remaining 20% of funding.
2026/2027 Project Topics and Ideas
To successfully obtain a grant, your project must fall under one of these 3 impact areas, which represent priorities identified by our members as important to the community. For each topic, we have described 3-4 "featured" project options for you to choose from, but you can also propose your own idea (as long as it stays on-topic).
Impact Areas
Access: enhancing patient access to primary care, including urgent access, preventative care, and routine primary care.
Team-based care: supporting team-based care, enhancing, expanding, or shifting engagement of allied health team members in patient care.
Cultural Safety: supporting team awareness and knowledge of cultural safety principles.
Any one proposed project may impact one or more of the above areas.
For examples of potential projects, see below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why these topics?
Can the grants be used towards the purchase of computers or other hardware/software?
Will the grant cover ongoing costs associated with the projects?
If my project does not fit within the scope of clinic grants, where can I find alternative means of funding?
Can multiple clinics partner on a project?
Can multiple physicians in a clinic submit different grant applications?
Additional Support
Looking for more support?​​​
If you have any questions or comments about this program, please email accounts@nanaimodivision.ca​
We look forward to your project ideas.


