Healthy Workplace Initiative Fund

The Healthy Workplace Initiatives Program (HWIP) is an annual fund available to UBC departments and units to support grassroots wellbeing activities in the workplace.

The Healthy Workplace Initiatives Fund Program or HWIP is a funding source available to any Vancouver or Okanagan UBC department/unit or UBC-recognized operational committees that represent various departments/units that are eligible to apply for funding to support grassroots activities that promote wellbeing in the workplace.

HWIP Funding

The program provides up to $3000 of seed funding to support for health-related, sustainable initiatives. 

HWIP funds are intended to:

Enable units and departments to create and maintain healthy work environments
Build capacity and knowledge within units 
Support the introduction of healthy initiatives intended to be adopted long-term by the department
Reduce individual health risks

HWIP is based on a reimbursement model, and all applications must be signed off by a Senior Leader.

All successful departments will need to cover the cost of the initiatives upfront and then submit receipts for reimbursement. Reimbursement will only be made to the UBC faculty/school/department account.

Application process

Review and select one of the funding categories below.
Have a conversation with your senior leader about the application and let them know about the reimbursement model for HWIP.
- View the Making the Case for Managers document if you need some guidance.
Complete the online application form.
- View a Preview of the HWIP application to see an example.
Submit the senior leader sign-off (you will receive a confirmation email containing instructions).

HWIP categories categories

Take a look at the HWIP categories to find your inspiration. Click on each category to see recent examples, and review the category-specific toolkits to learn more about each application category, including funding specifications and more.

A group of faculty and staff crafting a healthy meal together

Funding criteria

The following criteria will be used to assess initiative proposals:

Applications must demonstrate a clear link between the proposed activities and the promotion of the wellbeing of faculty, staff and postdoctoral fellows to promote health equity, reduce barriers, and increase opportunities for UBC faculty and staff to implement healthy behaviours.
Proposed initiatives should involve more than one-time workshops, events and team socials. They must encompass a multi-pronged approach to promote wellbeing, reduce barriers and increase opportunities for UBC staff and faculty to implement healthy behaviours.
Consider how the initiative will contribute toward building a healthy workplace culture and how initial efforts can be sustained for the long-term, with or without further funding. Applicants should outline how they expect this initiative to continue after the one-year HWIP funding period has finished.
Proposed initiatives should be accessible, inclusive of various abilities, culturally sensitive
Endorsement from the department head is required.

What to avoid

The following applications will not be funded:

Operational expenses (hiring of faculty/staff as instructors or to coordinate the program)
One-time workshops, events, team socials
Use of funding to cover membership/admission/registration fees
Items or projects that fall within the responsibility of the department to provide
To conduct primarily research-oriented activities
Building renovations, furniture, or large-scale fitness equipment.
Expenses related to physical changes to your workspace. If adjustments to your workspace are required to remove barriers for faculty and staff with disabilities or ongoing medical conditions. You may be eligible for the Workplace Accommodation Fund through the Center for Workplace Accessibility

HWIP funding process

Here is a quick rundown of the process you can expect if you apply for HWIP funding. We hope this helps to set the expectations as you consider applying for funding.

Conduct a needs assessment to determine what would interest and benefit your unit/department
Discuss and seek approval from your senior manager to submit a grant application and authorization to cover up-front costs
Apply by the deadline
All eligible applications are entered into a lottery, and funding is allocated until the available funds are exhausted. If you are a successful HWIP applicant, you will receive confirmation
Attend the HWIP orientation. Attendance at the orientation is mandatory
Familiarize yourself with the important documents
Carry out your HWIP initiative
Take some photos! We love to see your initiatives come to life
Reach out for help, for planning and for navigating the reimbursement process
Keep all the receipts and other documentation around your HWIP initiative to ensure you have everything you need to seek reimbursement
Submit your reimbursements when prompted in 2026.