Lump Sum Payments

Lump sum payments are one-time payments made to UCalgary employees. 
They are not part of regular salary and are used only in limited situations.

New lump sum payment request eForm coming July 15, 2026. For requests submitted before that date, use the current form >>

When to use lump sum payments

Only request Lump Sum Payment if it fits one of the categories below:

Honoraria

Voluntary payments made as a token of appreciation for contributions outside of regular duties.

Normally made for engagements external to the university, including speaker, panelist, conference presentation, or external reviewer or adjudicator.

Eligible recipients are continuing, contingent, or limited term academic staff. 

Principal Investigator (PI) Income

Requires a PI Income Form approved by the department head, dean, and the provost. The payment must be an eligible expense listed in the approved grant or contract budget.

Eligible recipients are continuing, contingent, or limited term academic staff responsible for designing, managing, and leading a research project. 

Contact Research Services for questions on payments related to research grants.

Contact Research Legal or CSM Legal for payments associated with research contracts.

Postdoctoral Lump Sum Payment

One-time payment requests for postdoctoral associates.

The Lump Sum Payment Request replaces the former Job Change Request (JCR) that was used to temporarily adjust salaries of postdoctoral associates. Job Change Requests should no longer be used for this purpose.

Eligible recipients are postdoctoral associates. Pursuant to article 12.2 of the collective agreement, at the conclusion of the annual performance evaluation process, a supervisor will consider whether a one-time lump sum payment is warranted.

Please note: Lump sum payment requests do not apply to postdoctoral fellowship holders or joint fellowship appointments; for joint fellowship appointments, use the existing JCR pay rate increase or decrease process.

Programs and Awards

Recognition of excellence in research and teaching. 

Eligible recipients must be academic staff, postdoctoral associates or graduate students, and must receive an award under one of the programs listed below. Other award programs will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

How to request a lump sum payment

Go to the PeopleSoft eForm

Log in to the MyUCalgary portal

For managers: My Work > People Management > Manager Self Service > HR Forms

For Forms Initiators: My Work > Direct Access > PS Human Resources.
Ensure you are on the HR Tasks homepage (drop down on the top left) 

Log in to the MyUCalgary portal

Select Lump Sum Payment

Select Lump Sum Payment Request in the left navigation menu

Fill and submit eForm

Enter the details and attach supporting documents if required, then submit.

Please note that review and approval of Lump Sum Payments can take up to 6 weeks.

FAQs

Please review the reference guide for step by step info on how to submit a lump sum payment request.

If your request does not match one of the above categories, it is likely not eligible for a lump sum payment.

Please review the exception requests guide.

Only in limited circumstances. Requests must meet employment and compliance requirements.

Please review the exception requests guide.

In most cases, AUPE or MaPS are not eligible to receive lump sum payments. Limited exceptions may apply for certain awards or research programs, depending on the program criteria and employment agreement.

Requests are reviewed against eligibility rules. If the criteria are not met, the request cannot move forward.

Yes. All income paid to an employee, including lump sum or additional payments, is taxable under the Income Tax Act. These amounts are subject to Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions and Employment Insurance (EI) premiums, with required deductions taken at source.