Sponsorship and Bursary Opportunities

The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (SCA) sponsors, with paid tuition and a return in service, a select number of students annually in Canadian Radiation Therapy degree programs. The programs we currently have partnerships with, offering a few Saskatchewan clinical placements, and secured seats for Saskatchewan students are:

1.  University of Winnipeg (U of W)/Cancer Care Manitoba (CCMB). (Diploma in Radiation Therapy from CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB) and a Bachelor of Science degree (4-year) from The University of Winnipeg).

2. The University of Alberta (UAlberta), beginning with an intake for Fall 2026.  (Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy)

For information on pre-requisite and admissions please refer directly to the programs. 

University of Winnipeg/Cancer Care Manitoba

Information about the program can be found under sponsored radiation therapy program links or you can email offcampusprograms@uwinnipeg.ca as they have more information on the radiation therapy program specifically. You can also email CCMBASKSchoolofRadiationTherapy@cancercare.mb.ca to connect with someone directly from the school.

University of Alberta

Information for the University of Alberta Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy Program such as overall program information and admissions is available under program links. 

Other Radiation Therapy Programs - Michener Institute and University of Toronto (UofT)

• https://michener.ca/program/radiation-therapy-university-toronto/
• Bachelor of Science in Medical Radiation Sciences | Radiation Oncology (utoronto.ca)
• https://radonc.utoronto.ca/radiation-therapy
• https://www.radonc.utoronto.ca/application-requirements-deadlines-and-procedures-mrs 

SCA Sponsorship for Paid Tuition

Sponsorship may be offered to successful applicants upon acceptance into a Canadian Radiation therapy degree program. 

When applying for SCA sponsorship, please include:

• a copy of your invitation to interview with a Canadian Radiation Therapy program;
• current resume;
• a copy of your most recent transcripts;
• one to two pages on why you would like to be considered for sponsorship, what interests you about radiation therapy, and what might bring you to or keep you in Saskatchewan.

Currently, sponsorship provides students with paid tuition, with a return in service agreement with three years tuition paid, for three years of service at the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.  Employment for return in service may be at either Allan Blair Cancer Centre or Saskatoon Cancer Centre.

Please note that sponsorship is not currently available to those on an international visa or student visa.

Radiation Therapists

Radiation therapists are extremely important members of the health-care team, as they are involved in all aspects of treatment planning, delivery and care of cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.

What is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses radiation with the goal of either curing the patient or managing symptoms. Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to damage cancer cells, stopping them from growing and dividing. External radiation uses focused beams of radiation to destroy tumours while minimizing harm to healthy tissues. Individuals may also have internal radiation therapy where radioactive material is implanted directly into or very near a tumour inside the patient.

Who Administers Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapists are important members of the health-care team in treating cancer. They plan, deliver and provide care and education to people receiving radiation therapy.

What Duties Does a Radiation Therapist Perform?

As members of a team of skilled professional health-care providers, radiation therapists:

• assist radiation oncologists in the planning and delivery of treatment
• explain procedures and answer patients’ concerns and questions
• position the patient and equipment correctly
• ensure that proper radiation handling and protection techniques are followed
• administer radiation treatments, which include monitoring patients during procedures and providing advice on minimizing radiation reactions
• provide emotional support and patient education
• maintain patient records

Who Should Consider a Career in Radiation Therapy?

If you have a good background in the sciences, strong technical skills and the ability to work with care and precision, you should consider radiation therapy as a career. Patience, understanding and tolerance, as well as strong interpersonal and teamwork skills are important qualities to have.

Where Can I Find More Information?

For more information about the program contact us at:
Phone: 306-766-2288
Email: rtschoolinfo@saskcancer.ca

Bursaries for Hard-to-Recruit Positions

The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency Bursary Program is a recruitment initiative to attract new graduates of post-secondary health discipline programs who are qualified for designated hard-to-recruit positions within the Cancer Agency. The program is open between January and March each year. Currently, we are asking for applications for the bursary program until February 16, 2025. In return for this assistance, a bursary recipient must commit to work at the Cancer Agency.

Eligible hard-to-recruit professions are:

• Clinic Assistant
• Medical Dosimetrist
• Nurse Practitioner
• Oncology Pharmacist
• Oncology Pharmacy Technician
• Physics Technician
• Project Manager
• Radiation Therapist
• Registered Nurse 

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Cancer Agency bursary, you must:

• Be a Saskatchewan resident and hold a valid Saskatchewan health card.

• Be attending an accredited program recognized by the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency in a hard-to-recruit classification.

• Be in the final year of your education program.

• Not have previously received financial assistance for education in return for service from the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.

Bursary Amount

Saskatchewan Cancer Agency bursaries are a one-time award of $2,000 per recipient. Bursaries are considered taxable income.

Return-in-Service Requirement

Bursaries are awarded to individuals who sign a Return-in-Service Agreement agreeing to, upon completion of their program, provide a one-year full-time return in service to the Cancer Agency in the health profession for which the bursary was provided. Failure to provide the return-in-service means bursary funds must be repaid at the rate stipulated in the Return-in-Service Agreement. Applicants are asked to indicate a preference to work in a specific location of the Cancer Agency (Regina or Saskatoon). The Cancer Agency will determine placements in Regina or Saskatoon. The Cancer Agency is under no obligation to ensure employment following completion of training.

Application Process

All bursary applications must include the following:

• A completed Bursary Application Form.

• A letter from the education program verifying enrolment in the final year of program.

• A resume with employment references whom the Cancer Agency may contact to determine eligibility for the Bursary Program.

The bursary selection for 2025 is closed. 

Selection Process

Bursaries are awarded through a selection process. Not all applicants are awarded a bursary. The Cancer Agency will consider each applicant based on organizational needs, available funding, program completion dates, applicant's status as Aboriginal person (First Nations or Métis) in support of representative workforce and preference of return-in-service location (applicants willing to complete their return in service in either city are more likely to be awarded a bursary). Applicants may be required to submit transcripts and/or attend an interview to assess their eligibility. Applicants will be required to provide, at their own expense, a current satisfactory criminal record check, including a vulnerable sector check, prior to an offer of employment.