What is HRDF?

The HRDF is a negotiated benefit between the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA). The primary purpose of the Fund is to enable eligible employees to access learning opportunities (courses, workshops, seminars, in-school apprenticeship training or programs) that will:

1. enhance their capacity to perform work,
2. prepare for an expanded or different role, or
3. enhance eligible employee wellness. Programs approved under HRDF must be intended to improve an eligible employee's quality of work life, prevent personal illness or injury, or reduce benefit cost associated with personal illness or injury.

The Fund does NOT support:

1. general interest courses (e.g. hobbies, crafts, recreational memberships),
2. wellness courses not listed as approved off-campus service providers,
3. job-specific training required for the eligible employee's current role,
4. training required by legislation for the eligible employee's current role,
5. University of Alberta credit courses

Please see Operating Agreement (Part A) Article 25, Trust Agreement (Part B) Article 15, ESL Agreement (Part C) Article 19

The annual fund of four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) is renewed at the beginning of each fiscal year, April 1 - March 31, and is subject to review. Of this $400,000, a maximum of $50,000 is allocated for wellness courses and the remaining $350,000 for professional development courses.

Who is eligible?

* as long as HRDF funds are available.

Special provisions apply to ESL; please refer to agreement link provided above under "What is HRDF?"

Additional information on course eligibility, employee eligibility and entitlements is provided in the document, HRDF Manual.

What About Supervisory Training?

Non supervising eligible employees with some supervisory-like tasks or interest in supervisory training, can apply for HRDF funding and be enrolled in the Supervisory Development Program program if there is room and their manager approves. Alternatively, the department can fund enrollment in the course.

Current Support Staff members of the NASA agreement who already have supervisory responsibilities may take the Supervisory Development Program free of charge (no HRDF necessary). Support Staff members who are promoted into a supervisory position may also take the program free of charge. For those managers and supervisors for which the AAS:UA, Graduate or Faculty agreements apply please see Supervisory Development Program for program costs.

How can I apply for funding?

To apply for HRDF funding, either login to E-HRDF and submit the application form there or fill in the PDF HRDF application form and send the original to HRDF, 2-60 University Terrace. Before completing the application, please read the step by step instructions provided in the HRDF User Manual. If you need additional information, please email (HRDF@hrs.ualberta.ca) or phone (492-4350) the HRDF office.

When do I apply for Funding?

Check News and Updates for the current status.

Any applications that are submitted prior to the permitted date will be returned to the eligible employee to resubmit during the appropriate application date period.

While there are no restrictions on the number of courses that eligible employees may take in each of the 4 application periods, when the eligible employee reaches maximum entitlement for the fiscal year or the fund is depleted, the eligible employee cannot request funding again until the next fiscal year.

Eligible employees must notify the HRDF Administrative Assistant and their Department if the approved course has been cancelled, if the eligible employee has withdrawn from the course, or if the start date has been changed. When an eligible employee cancels, fails to attend or complete an approved learning opportunity without legitimate reasons, the eligible employee will be fully responsible to reimburse the Fund for all costs associated with the cancellation.

If you have any questions about HRDF please call HRDF Administrator at 492-4350 or email HRDF@hrs.ualberta.ca.