Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) & Undergraduate Research Fund
Get financial support for costs associated with unpaid practica, clinical placements, field experience and undergraduate research courses
Work-Integrated Learning & Undergraduate Research Fund
The Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) & Undergraduate Research (UR) Fund helps make WIL and UR courses more accessible by offsetting costs related to transportation, immunizations, uniforms and professional attire, personal protective equipment, and equipment. This support ensures that you can fully engage in hands-on learning experiences while developing your skills and preparing for your future career.
Work-integrated learning (WIL) & undergraduate research (UR)
WIL and UR courses give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to real-world settings. Through internships, co-op placements, field experiences, and research projects, you’ll gain practical experience and develop critical professional skills that will help you in your career.
Applications for the WIL Fund will open and close at noon on the following dates:
Winter 2025: Jan. 13 - Feb. 7
Spring 2025: May 1 - May 26
Summer 2025: June 30 - July 16
Fall 2025: Aug. 25 - Sept. 26
The WIL Fund was developed in partnership between a student union executive, a cooperative education student, and a staff member from the Office of Experiential Learning.
This project is funded generously through the Student Union’s Quality Money Program until August 2026.
Eligibility
Students currently enrolled in unpaid field placement courses, unpaid practica, unpaid clinical placements, or unpaid undergraduate research courses where extra costs for materials are incurred can apply to the WIL & UR Fund. Expenses related to past or future WIL or UR courses are not eligible.
Students in co-op or paid internship programs are not eligible as these are typically paid work experiences.
Eligible expenses
Funding is available to offset costs directly associated with a work-integrated learning or undergraduate research course you are currently enrolled in, including:
- Personal protective equipment, e.g., masks, safety goggles, hard hats
- Vaccinations/immunizations,
- Software and equipment, e.g., stethoscope
- Uniforms and professional attire
- Required training and certifications, and
- Transportation expense, including relocation and parking.
Non-eligible expenses include:
- Any expense associated with a work-integrated learning or undergraduate research course you are not currently enrolled in, i.e., past or future courses
- Tuition
- Non-instructional fees, e.g., UPass, UCalgary campus parking, textbooks/study guides, etc.
- Vaccinations/immunizations available to the public for free, e.g., flu shot, COVID-19, etc.
- Daily living expenses, e.g., rent, groceries, etc.
- Dependent care, e.g., childcare and eldercare
- Training and certifications to be obtained outside the scope of the WIL or UR course, e.g., certifications obtainable after graduation
How funding is allocated
Funding decisions are made after the tuition and fee payment deadline each semester. At that time, the WIL & UR Team:
- Verifies with the Registrar’s Office that students are currently enrolled in the WIL or UR course they apply with.
- Reviews all applications until all available funds are expended. We aim to balance the proportion of funding allocated across faculties to benefit as many students as possible.
Contact
Office of Experiential Learning
Contact us with questions about the WIL & UR Fund or for assistance with your application.
FAQ
Students completing unpaid field placement courses, unpaid practica or unpaid clinical placement can apply to the WIL Fund. Additionally, students enrolled in undergraduate research courses where extra costs for materials or supplies (excluding textbooks) are incurred may also apply. Students in co-op or paid internship programs are not eligible as these are typically paid work experiences.
Students can apply for up to $500 per semester.
WIL funding is available to offset costs directly associated with your work-integrated learning or undergraduate research course. Eligible expenses include personal protective equipment (e.g., masks, safety goggles, hard hats), vaccinations/immunizations, software and equipment (e.g., stethoscope), uniforms and professional attire, required training and certifications, research supplies, and transportation expenses (including relocation and parking).
Please note tuition and non-instructional fees, textbooks, and dependent care expenses (such as childcare or eldercare) are not considered eligible expenses under this fund.
Non-eligible expenses include: any expense associated with a past or future work-integrated learning or undergraduate research course, tuition and non-instructional fees (e.g., UPass, textbooks, etc.), vaccinations/immunizations available for free, daily living expenses, dependent care, and training/certifications to be obtained outside the scope of the WIL or UR course a student is currently enrolled in.
You can access the application by navigating to:
- UCalgary Elevate ↓
- Research & Teaching Opportunities ↓
- Student Funding Opportunities ↓
- Course/Programs ↓
- WIL - WIL & UR Fund ←
- Course/Programs ↓
- Student Funding Opportunities ↓
- Research & Teaching Opportunities ↓
No, WIL funding is only available for students in unpaid forms of WIL. Students in co-op or paid internship programs are not eligible as they are typically receiving an hourly wage.
Please contact the Office of Experiential Learning at wilfund@ucalgary.ca for further assistance or any questions you may have about the application process.