Image
The StrongerBC future skills grant, empowers BC residents to shape their own futures. The grant covers up to $3,500 for eligible short-term skills training at public post-secondary institutions across the province.
Since its launch in fall 2023, over 10,000 people have benefitted from the grant, gaining access to training opportunities in programs aligned with the province’s labour market needs and government priorities.
Process
1. Review eligibility & criteria
To be eligible for the StrongerBC future skills grant, you:
- must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person entitled to study in Canada
- must be a BC resident and currently live in BC
- must be 19 years or older or have graduated high school by the start of your course/program
- must provide consent for UBC to disclose your information to the Province of British Columbia
- should not be receiving duplicative and/or overlapping funding to cover eligible costs (i.e. grants, loans, scholarships, or other funding that covers the same program costs as the StrongerBC future skills grant).
You should also understand that:
- the StrongerBC future skills grant benefits may have tax implications
- the grant is subject to a lifetime maximum of $3,500
- discounts or early bird specials do not apply for this grant
- if you are receiving any federal or provincial benefit, such as Employment Insurance (EI) or BC Employment Assistance (BCEA), you must seek approval from the appropriate government body before participating in a program
- the amount of grant funding you receive is subject to review and audit.
2. Browse eligible programs
Funding provided by the Province of British Columbia through the StrongerBC future skills grant for the following UBC Extended Learning programs. Browse to select the one that best meets your professional goals.
Open for grant application, July 8, 2026
- Anti-Racism in Practice for Leaders and Professionals, UBC Micro-certificate
- Applying Learning Health System Principles in Hybrid Care, Course
- Designing Equitable Systems for Leaders, Practitioners and Designers, UBC Micro-certificate
- ECG Interpretation and Management for Nurse Practitioners and Physicians, Course
- Healthcare Accounting, Micro-certificate
- Health Data Analytics: Opportunities and Applications, UBC Micro-certificate
- Key Capabilities in Data Science, UBC Certificate
- Mental Health and Substance Use - Level 1, UBC Micro-certificate
- Mining Law & Sustainability, Peter Allard School Law Executive Learning Program
- Natural Language Processing to Improve Patient Care, UBC Micro-certificate
- Regulatory Affairs in the Life Sciences, UBC Micro-certificate
- Step into Quantum, UBC Micro-certificate
- Working Across Difference: Intercultural Practice for Leaders and Professionals, UBC Certificate
Opening soon (opening dates TBD)
- Biomedical Visualization and Communication, UBC Certificate (Winter 2027 start date)
- Essentials of Neuroscience, UBC Certificate (Winter 2027 start date)
- Healthy Aging, UBC Micro-certificate (Winter 2027 start date)
- Indigenous Health Administration and Leadership, UBC Certificate (You must be accepted into the program before you apply for the grant. Further information will go out to accepted students in December)
- Neuroscience and Our World, UBC Micro-certificate (Winter 2027 start date)
- Thinking Like a Neuroscientist, UBC Micro-certificate (Winter 2027 start date)
Full and no longer accepting grant applications
- AI Skills Accelerator for IT, Digital and Enterprise Systems Professionals, UBC Certificate
We suggest the following to help you assess eligible programs:
- On Extended Learning program web pages, read ‘What this program offers’ and ‘Who is this program for’ to decide whether your goals align with the program.
- Some of the eligible programs have established specific curated bundles for the StrongerBC future skills grant. Look for ‘StrongerBC future skills grant bundles’ section to understand your potential pathway(s) through those programs.
- Determine whether your program choice(s) requires tuition beyond the $3,500 grant (or your remaining grant balance). If so, you will be required to pay at the time of registration.
- Check your availability for published class times.
- Check the date the program will open for grant applications.
Once you have selected your program(s), proceed to StrongerBC future skills grant Management System to apply.
3. Complete application
UBC Extended Learning students must submit an application through the StrongerBC future skills grant Management System as their first step.
Start by logging into the StrongerBC future skills grant Portal. Follow instructions to complete your application. If you encounter issues accessing or using the StrongerBC future skills grant Portal, you can email here for assistance as this system does not belong to Extended Learning.
Submitting an application does not guarantee funding. Funding is subject to availability.
- Ensure you fill out the profile information correctly. This is important for tax purposes and in order for UBC Extended Learning to process your application.
- We cannot save a spot for students via email or for anyone bypassing the StrongerBC future skills grant application and registering directly in a program by paying upfront.
- See FAQ section below for further instructions on how to apply through the Ministry StrongerBC future skills grant Management System.
Please note that space and funding is limited. We recommend applying as soon as grant applications open.
4. Confirmation and course registration
Check your email (and your ‘junk’ folder). You will receive an email from UBC Extended Learning approximately 5-7 business days after you submit your application through the Ministry portal. If your application is accepted, and there is space in your preferred program, you will receive the next steps for registration.
Applications are reviewed and processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and submitting an application does not automatically guarantee funding. Funding is subject to availability.
5. Access your course
Once registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email from Extended Learning. You will receive information to access your course before its course start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I complete my application on the StrongerBC future skills grant Management System?
- Log in to the StrongerBC future skills grant Management System to submit an application for your preferred program.
- Having issues accessing or using the future skills grant system? You can email the Ministry for assistance as this system does not belong to Extended Learning.
- Complete profile details. Ensure you fill out your profile information correctly. This is important for tax purposes and in order for UBC Extended Learning to process your application.
- Select the ‘New Application’ button to start the application submission process.
- In the application form, you’ll need to:
- Select University of British Columbia under ‘Institution Name’ and then select the relevant Extended Learning program from the ‘Program Name’ dropdown.
- Select both checkboxes, including ‘I confirm that I have applied to this program prior to starting this application….’ For UBC Extended Learning, the StrongerBC future skills grant Management System application satisfies this requirement.
- Hit the ‘Submit Application’ button to submit your grant application.
