Research Development International Collaboration Awards (RDICA) Standard Call

This call is now open.

The Research Development International Collaboration Awards call is now open, with a deadline of 23:59 on 11th November 2026.

The Research Development International Collaboration Awards (RDICA) is an internal funding scheme designed to catalyse, support and advance collaborative research development between University of Bristol (UoB) academics and colleagues from around the world, resulting in collaborative external research funding bids where the Bristol PI is the lead. Applicants must demonstrate clear and explicit plans to work on eligible bids during the award period.

If you are applying for support for an existing collaboration, you must demonstrate how this award would enable a significant step-change in your collaboration. Additional outputs can include policy briefings and/or international co-authored publications. The awards should be viewed as part of the first phase of funding that will enable longer-term research collaborations between UoB and international collaborators.

Supported activities

  • International visits for co-production of external research bids where the Bristol PI would be the lead.
  • Collaborative workshops/writing retreats to develop and inform bid development.

Please note that RDICA does not fund sustained research itself.

Level of funding available

  • Normally £2-3k, and up to £4k where fully justified (our team will give you a budget code for spend).
  • Up to £5k for applications with an International Co-Applicant from a Low- or Middle-Income Country (LMIC), in recognition of additional/higher costs including flights and visa costs, and the lack of financial capacity in some LMIC universities to contribute to project costs. The RDICA scheme runs in line with UKRI’s policy;  please check with us if you are not sure whether costs are eligible.

Who can apply

All applications must have a University of Bristol Academic Lead and one or more International Co-Applicant(s).

When to apply

  • The next confirmed deadline is 23:59 on Wednesday 11th November 2026. All funded activities and related spend for applications to the November 2026 deadline must take place between 1st February 2027 and 31st July 2027, with no exceptions.  Please note that projects must not start before February 2026.
  • We normally aim to communicate decisions within eight weeks of the submission deadline.
  • We aim to review applications at quarterly deadlines, subject to funds being available.

How to apply

You must read the Call Specification document before starting your application, paying particular attention to eligibility requirements, application guidance and costing requirements:

For all queries, please contact the Research Development International team via rd-international@bristol.ac.uk