Physicians who choose to relocate to Nova Scotia from elsewhere in the world face significant financial barriers.

Financial help is available for international medical graduates (IMGs). The McCarthy/Stewart International Medical Grant provides a one-time grant of $10,000 to up to 10 successful applicants each year.

Eligibility

To be considered for the grant, applicants must:

• be considered an IMG
• have signed a contract to practise in Nova Scotia and have successfully completed the Nova Scotia Practice Ready Assessment Program (applicants must be within first two years of practice)
• wish to continue practising in Nova Scotia long-term

A selection committee will evaluate applications based on factors including:

• identified financial need
• intention to practise in Nova Scotia
• perceived ability of applicant to reach full licensure, based on where they are in the process

Recipients of the grant must provide banking information and they must participate in the program evaluation to help inform future grant application processes.

About the grant

Dr. Graham Stewart was an IMG who joined the Nova Scotia health-care system from Scotland. He faced many challenges in the transition to practice. The McCarthy/Stewart Foundation, established by Dr. Stewart’s late wife, Julia McCarthy, in memory of her husband, aims to support IMGs in their transition to practice by lessening monetary barriers. The grant launched in 2022.

The 2024 application process is now closed. The 2025 application process will open in September.