EXTRA Call for Applications
We're accepting applications for EXTRA™ Cohort 21.
If you’re ready to grow as a leader and build systems that address complex challenges, EXTRA is for you. Be part of a pan-Canadian network of over 737 fellows who have successfully completed Healthcare Excellence Canada’s EXTRA program.
- Topics
- Aging in place
- Cultural Safety
- First Nations, Inuit and Métis priorities
- Audience
Healthcare leader
Person with lived/living experience
Policy advisor or analyst
- Key Learnings
Enhance the capacity of leaders and teams to accelerate improvement
Develop increased organizational capacity to achieve excellence
Accelerate sustainable design, implementation, and evaluation of improvement projects
Create an EXTRA pan-Canadian community of leaders committed to continuous improvement
- Prerequisite
Prospective teams are strongly encouraged to request a free 30-minute coaching call with an EXTRA lead coach and Healthcare Excellence Canada staff member before submitting their application.
- Format
Workshops
Strategic coaching
Virtual or in-person site visit
Webinars
Online platform
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Applying to EXTRA Cohort 21
Who Should Apply?
A minimum of three and a maximum of five fellows are required to participate in the EXTRA team. Fellows must have a significant scope of responsibility and influence within their organization(s). EXTRA teams are drawn from the healthcare and social services sectors. The teams usually involve service delivery organizations, health authorities or ministries and include providers, administrators, patients or other people with lived experience.
Submitting an application
To apply, visit HEC's portal, create an account, and complete the application form.
Pre-Application Call
Prospective teams are strongly encouraged to request a free 30-minute call with an EXTRA coach and Healthcare Excellence Canada staff member before submitting their application. This call will provide applicants and/or CEOs with guidance on scoping and framing the improvement project, assembling the right team, ensuring alignment with organizational strategic priorities, partner engagement, and engagement of patient partners.
Review Process
In the summer of 2026, an expert panel will review the applications. Applications are initially screened by Healthcare Excellence Canada staff to ensure essential program requirements are met. Teams may be required to submit additional information. Teams will be notified of their acceptance to the EXTRA program in August.
Assembling the Team
An Executive Sponsor – often the CEO or senior leader in the organization– will provide leadership and executive endorsement and support. The executive sponsor will ensure the project is aligned with strategic priorities of the organization, ensure protected time for staff, and secure resources to enable the implementation and sustainability of the project. Teams comprised of members from different organizations are required to have executive sponsorship from each of the participating organizations.
The team can be composed of three to five fellows from one or more organizations, from the same jurisdiction or across jurisdictions. A team can be composed of organizations from multiple sectors, such as health, social services, education and housing. At least one of the fellows must be a member of senior management. Teams are encouraged to include a person with lived experience as part of the ETXRA team. The team should appoint a team lead who will be the primary contact between the team, Healthcare Excellence Canada and the executive sponsor. The team lead should plan for and provide guidance and oversight of the initiative to ensure milestones are met. An organizational chart highlighting each proposed member’s position within their organization is required for submission as part of this application.
There is an expectation that patient partners be identified prior to the application process as it is key to incorporate their perspective from the design stage of the project. Healthcare Excellence Canada will offer guidance on meaningfully engaging patient/ family/ caregiver partners. The curriculum explores multiple methods to better understand patient and family priorities. Patient partners:
May participate as an EXTRA fellowship team member
If not an EXTRA team member, must be part of the implementation team
Must also be included in the Advisory Committee.
Involving Partners
The team will establish an advisory committee that will provide strategic advice and guidance regarding the design, implementation, evaluation and spread of the improvement project. The advisory committee must include the executive sponsor, patient partners, representation from relevant partners and the implementation team (larger project team).
Teams are strongly encouraged to consider appointing a project manager/coordinator for the duration of the program. Additional team members with expertise in the following roles are recommended (or having them available for consultation or collaboration as needed):
Person with lived experience/ patient partner
Providers/staff delivering healthcare or social services
Patient safety and quality improvement advisor
Information technology advisor
Performance measurement and evaluation support
Policy advisor
Community organizations representation
Change management advisor
Human resources
Selection Criteria
Applications are assessed according to the following criteria.
Organization(s)
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Is there clear commitment and support of the CEO and senior management team?
Does the improvement project aim clearly align with the relevant organizational strategic priorities and plan?
Engagement
Does the composition of the advisory committee include patient/family/caregiver partners?
Is there an adequate description of how patient partners will be included throughout all phases of the improvement project and in committees?
Is there an adequate description of how the implementation team will be involved throughout all phases of the improvement project?
Does the composition of the implementation team ensure that a diversity of perspectives and voices are shared and heard?
The EXTRA Team
Do team members have an appropriate level of responsibility?
Does the EXTRA program align with the individual leadership development goals?
Is the composition of the team appropriate given the aspirations of the improvement project?
The Improvement Project
Is the proposed project clearly described?
Is the improvement project problem statement clearly articulated and well supported by documented sources of evidence including local and comparative data?
Is the aim statement clear?
Are the anticipated outcomes of the proposed Improvement Project identified?
Additional Information
Program Fees and Cost
Sharing Healthcare Excellence Canada subsidizes most of the financial costs of participating in the EXTRA program by covering travel, accommodation, and two meals per day at in-person workshops. Healthcare Excellence Canada also covers the cost for our expert faculty and coaches. Successful applicants contribute a one-time fee of $5,000 per fellow. Organizations with limited resources such as non-profits or small healthcare service agencies may be eligible for financial support at the discretion of Healthcare Excellence Canada. Please direct any inquiries to EXTRA-FORCES@hec-esc.ca.
Certified Health Executive (CHE) Designation
The strategic alliance between the Healthcare Excellence Canada’s EXTRA program and the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) demonstrates the commitment of both organizations to foster lifelong leadership development for health leaders. The alliance allows fellows to fulfill some of their requirements to earn the CHE designation while enrolled in the EXTRA program.
Working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Communities
In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, Healthcare Excellence Canada recognizes the need to support reconciliation efforts in all our work. We will work to develop respectful relationships and partnerships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governments and organizations. The relationships will guide our efforts to support cultural safety in the healthcare system and enhance the capacity of the health system to meet the needs of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. We are committed to supporting the training of all leaders in areas of cultural competency, safety and humility. If your project will include First Nations communities, ensure you are applying OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access, Possession) principles.
If your project will include Métis communities, ensure you determine if OCAS (Ownership, Control, Access, Stewardship) principles should be applied.
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