three students laughing together

Canadian International Development Scholarships Program 2030 (BCDI 2030)

The University of Ottawa is among the Canadian post-secondary institutions selected to deliver transformative education and training through the Canadian International Development Scholarships Program (BCDI 2030).

About BCDI 2030

uOttawa OMS BCDI group photo

Overview

BCDI 2030 is an eight-year, $80 million initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by a consortium led by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) and Universities Canada (UnivCan). The program supports 25 scholarship projects that provide inclusive, high-quality education and training opportunities across 26 countries in the Francophonie and Commonwealth. With a strong focus on Sub-Saharan Africa and Francophone communities, BCDI 2030 aims to positively impact nearly 500 scholars, more than half of whom are women, through education, skills development, and institutional capacity building aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Visit the BCDI 2030 website to learn more about this exciting project.

uOttawa and BCDI 2030

Through BCDI 2030, the University of Ottawa will receive $750,000 over five years to provide advanced training and professional development opportunities at uOttawa for healthcare professionals from Benin, administered by the Faculty of Medicine. Building on more than 20 years of collaboration with Beninese partners, the Combler les écarts pour la relève en santé (CEReSa) project, launched in May 2025, supports skills development through graduate-level training and continuing education opportunities, including Master’s degree scholarships and specialized training programs offered between 2024 and 2029.

The initiative strengthens sustainable cooperation between Canadian and Beninese institutions while supporting the development and retention of highly qualified health professionals and advancing equitable access to healthcare for Francophone communities. Click here to learn more about our global health partnerships. Visit the Meet our Global Health Partners page to learn more about our global health partnerships.

About CEReSa

BCDI recipients in anatomy lab

Overview

The Bridging the Gaps for the Next Generation of Healthcare Workers (Combler les écarts pour la relève en santé - CEReSa) is a partnership between three institutions:

Funded by Global Affairs Canada through the BCDI 2030 program, CEReSa supports equitable and sustainable development in health education and health systems in Benin. The project contributes to closing health gaps,strengthening and retaining the country’s healthcare workforce by reinforcing clinical, research, and teaching capacity.

Running from 2024 to 2029, CEReSa provides training and professional development opportunities for healthcare professionals and academics, with a focus on Master’s degree bursaries, specialized training programs, and continuing education.

Beninese partners have emphasized the project’s strong potential to advance local solutions to local challenges, supporting the long-term improvement of health outcomes and the sustainability of healthcare systems.

Project Objectives

CEReSa aims to train the next generation of healthcare professionals and academics by:

  • Strengthening medical education and pedagogy through innovative teaching methods and advanced curricula
  • Developing advanced clinical and research skills using modern techniques and evidence-based practices
  • Building capacity among early-career faculty, clinicians, and researchers to support sustainable academic growth
  • Enhancing retention of medical and academic professionals through ongoing professional development and continuing education

Key Activities

  • Short-term training: Training for 25 early-career medical professionals and educators over five years in areas such as leadership, planetary health, research, and advanced specialty training
  • Academic development: Support for six Master’s programs at the University of Ottawa in nutrition, health education, and interdisciplinary health sciences

Expected Impact

  • Improved clinical and academic capacity within Benin’s health sector
  • Strengthened and sustained international collaboration
  • Increased retention of skilled healthcare and academic professionals in Benin
  • Long-term institutional partnerships supporting global health and medical education

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