Docs for Durham is a resource dedicated to helping physicians and their families build meaningful connections across Durham Region. Learn more about Oshawa and information about relocating your practice on their website.
Physician Recruitment Program
Oshawa is the largest city in Durham Region, with a population of over 185,000 and an expected growth of approximately 60% by 2051.
Recent Ontario Health data shows that almost 20,000 residents do not have a family doctor and approximately 100,000 residents travel outside Durham Region for primary care. This affects health outcomes, quality of life and access to timely care.
Oshawa is working to change this.
The Physician Recruitment Program offers a grant to attract and keep family doctors who want to build their practice and future in a growing, vibrant city.
Program overview
Our goal is to help Oshawa residents get a family doctor by supporting the recruitment and retention of family physicians in Oshawa.
To accomplish this the City of Oshawa is offering a matching grant of $25,000 per physician.
Key program information
- The Physician Recruitment Program will provide up to:
- $25,000 in funding to eligible physicians.
- $25,000 in matching funding, either in cash or in-kind,from the host clinic.
- Eligible physicians include Ontario-licensed family physicians who are starting or taking over a family practice and meet one of the following criteria:
- For a new or expanding practice, the physician must work toward building a patient roster of 1,200 within 18 to 24 months, with priority given to at least 800 unattached Oshawa residents;
- For a practice takeover, the existing patient panel must include more than 400 patients.
- Physicians must commit to practicing in Oshawa for at least five years.
- A maximum of 10 physicians will receive funding each year, subject to budget approval.
2025 and 2026 intake
Given the program’s launch in 2026, applications will be accepted from new physicians who began practicing in Oshawa in either 2025 or 2026, with a maximum of 20 applications eligible for consideration across the two calendar years. Intake for these two years will close on December 31, 2026.
Moving forward, applications are accepted only for physicians who are recruited or retained within the same calendar year as the application.
How to apply
For more information and to receive the program guidelines, please contact grants@oshawa.ca
To apply, you must complete an online application form. As part of the application form, you will be asked to provide the following:
-
- physician offer/contract or start letter
- proof of Oshawa practice location
- clinic match letter (cash or proposed phased/in‑kind)
- documentation to support the value of in-kind contribution if applicable
- 5-year commitment acknowledgement
- signatures from the physician and clinic representative
Applications will be reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis up to a maximum of 10 applicants a year.
Ready to apply? Complete the Grant application to get started
Beyond the Practice
Do you need a primary care physician?
Individuals without a family doctor can register on Health Care Connect. This is a government service that tracks which doctors are accepting new patients to help make a connection with a primary care provider.
Questions and answers
How can I learn more about relocating my practice to Oshawa?
What are eligible in-kind contributions and what documentation is required?
Eligible in-kind contributions include rent or common area fee reductions, EMR costs, medical or office equipment, administrative support, and physician relocation expenses. Supporting documentation may include lease agreements, invoices, receipts, payroll records, vendor quotations, contracts, or letters confirming the value of the contribution. The City may request additional documentation to verify the value and eligibility of any contribution.
How long does the review process take?
Applications are reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis. It is our goal to get back to applicants as soon as possible.
Do I need to maintain a patient roster of 1,200 patients to participate in the program?
No. The 1,200-patient roster target primarily applies to new practices and growth-focused practices that have committed to expanding patient access in Oshawa. Smaller inherited practices and stability-focused practice takeovers may be eligible with lower roster sizes, provided they meet the program's eligibility requirements and continue to provide comprehensive family medicine services.
What happens if I leave my Oshawa-based practice before the end of the five-year commitment?
The City may require repayment of the unearned portion of the grant. Repayment is generally calculated on a prorated basis according to the portion of the commitment remaining at the time of departure. Approved leaves may result in the service period being paused and extended by the duration of the leave.
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